Ruakuri Cave
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Ruakuri Cave
Discover Waitomo's longest underground guided walking tour
Ruakuri Cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo's most compelling subterranean experiences. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance, and marvel at the shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries. Hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls and get up close to the glowworms.
Ruakuri Cave is New Zealand's longest guided underground walking tour. It will leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature.
With clever and innovative design, Ruakuri Cave is the only wheelchair accessible cave in the Southern Hemisphere.
Details
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Organisation |
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.Commercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Caving
Reviews
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4.0/5
We had a good guide, who told a lot about the cave.
Very nice cave, also with glowworms.
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5.0/5
This was a great experience.
I had never been in caves before this one, so I had no idea what to expect. I was amased by the professional quality of the tour guide, the entrance spiral to the cave, and the length of the tour. I understand that there may be not as much to see compared with other world attractions, but I would not let other opinions reduce the experience for myself.
The entrance spiral to the cave reminded me of the opening to The Muppet Show, with an enjoyable play of lighting effects. The whole tour through the caves is well lit, so we could all see the natural rock formations, and at length due to the unrushed nature of the tour. The group size was small and there was always opportunities to ask questions.
I have recommended this experience to other people, and I would return to enjoy it again.
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5.0/5
Walk took around 1 hour and was one of the best short walks that we have done.
Great caves and beautiful track.
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4.0/5
Thoroughly enjoyed the caves and the humour and expertise of the guide.
Well worth the money and better value than the more touristy caves. 16/06/08
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4.0/5
We loved Ruakuri Cave, we thought the Glowworms cave was a bit too touristy, as it has been modified a lot for example the floor, we loved the glowworms but it was a bit short.
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3.5/5
The great thing about the Ruakuri cave is it's accessibility.
The cave is wheelchair accessible... not so sure about the bus that takes you there though. Maybe ask the operator about that if you are in need of wheelchair access.
It's not a particularly fabulous cave for crystal formations. There are a couple of sections with "pretties" some nice shawls, stalactites and stalagmites, flowstone and so on, but they are not on the scale of places like Jenolan Caves in Australia. We still enjoyed this cave though. It does have some glow worms as well and for those tall enough to look over the railing, views of the river below and on the first tour of the day we watched the black water rafters pass by below.
If you are looking for "pretties" in Waitomo the Aranui Cave is the best you will do.. ruarkuri was fun though.. but we do enjoy walking around caves. Each has their own personality.
In the Ruakuri cave there were interesting stories about the construction work for redevelopement of the cave. the giant spiral ramp into the cave and teh tunnel from there were fun we thought. Very James Bond. It is expensive for what you get, which reflects the cost of development.
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2.5/5
Thought this was quite boring - already know this kind of cave.
Nice to see, but nothing special.
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4.0/5
We had a good guide, who told a lot about the cave.
Very nice cave, also with glowworms.
-
4.0/5
We loved Ruakuri Cave, we thought the Glowworms cave was a bit too touristy, as it has been modified a lot for example the floor, we loved the glowworms but it was a bit short.
-
5.0/5
Walk took around 1 hour and was one of the best short walks that we have done.
Great caves and beautiful track.
-
-
5.0/5
This was a great experience.
I had never been in caves before this one, so I had no idea what to expect. I was amased by the professional quality of the tour guide, the entrance spiral to the cave, and the length of the tour. I understand that there may be not as much to see compared with other world attractions, but I would not let other opinions reduce the experience for myself.
The entrance spiral to the cave reminded me of the opening to The Muppet Show, with an enjoyable play of lighting effects. The whole tour through the caves is well lit, so we could all see the natural rock formations, and at length due to the unrushed nature of the tour. The group size was small and there was always opportunities to ask questions.
I have recommended this experience to other people, and I would return to enjoy it again.
-
3.5/5
The great thing about the Ruakuri cave is it's accessibility.
The cave is wheelchair accessible... not so sure about the bus that takes you there though. Maybe ask the operator about that if you are in need of wheelchair access.
It's not a particularly fabulous cave for crystal formations. There are a couple of sections with "pretties" some nice shawls, stalactites and stalagmites, flowstone and so on, but they are not on the scale of places like Jenolan Caves in Australia. We still enjoyed this cave though. It does have some glow worms as well and for those tall enough to look over the railing, views of the river below and on the first tour of the day we watched the black water rafters pass by below.
If you are looking for "pretties" in Waitomo the Aranui Cave is the best you will do.. ruarkuri was fun though.. but we do enjoy walking around caves. Each has their own personality.
In the Ruakuri cave there were interesting stories about the construction work for redevelopement of the cave. the giant spiral ramp into the cave and teh tunnel from there were fun we thought. Very James Bond. It is expensive for what you get, which reflects the cost of development.
-
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4.0/5
Thoroughly enjoyed the caves and the humour and expertise of the guide.
Well worth the money and better value than the more touristy caves. 16/06/08
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2.5/5
Thought this was quite boring - already know this kind of cave.
Nice to see, but nothing special.
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