Caving

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Caving

Two Flavours Underground

Caving in NZ is really two things: glowworm experiences that lean into the quiet and the magic, and more adventurous underground trips involving water, ropes and a fair bit of mud. Waitomo is the big name, and fair enough too. The glowworm caves and black water rafting there are genuinely world-class. The promo code RANKERS gets you a discount across a few of those Waitomo operators, which is handy given how quickly the costs add up if you do more than one experience.

Where Else to Look

The West Coast has a good thing going at Underworld Adventures in Charleston - it's less polished than Waitomo but that's part of the charm. You get caves, glowworms, rafting and a little underground railway all in one go. The full rafting version is worth it. Also on the Coast, the Punakaiki Cavern is free and comes alive with glowworms at night - not as dramatic as the paid options, but solid if you're passing through and want a taste. Down south, Te Anau has a glowworm cave that's boat-access only across the lake, so you're not shuffling through with tour buses. Pretty special setup. The RANKERS promo code covers that Te Anau experience too.

Free vs. Paid

Honestly, the free glowworm spots like Hokitika's dell are fine as a quick intro, but they can feel a bit ordinary compared to the proper cave experiences. If you're already in an area with a well-regarded paid option, I'd go that route over the freebie.

32 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 1 of 2.

Inside Cave Stream

South IslandCanterbury

Cave Stream Scenic Reserve

Cave Walk - Craigieburn

5 52 reviews

Cave walk takes 40 mins to 1 hr. It's 594m long and is an epic experience. Limestone formations nearby were the setting for the filming of “Narnia...

North IslandWaikato

4.9 5 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.8 133 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.7 8 reviews

exiting the organ cave

North IslandNorthland

4.6 38 reviews

Three Caves. Lots of Glowworms!

South IslandWest Coast

4.6 5 reviews

Dust or glowworms....?

South IslandWest Coast

4.6 47 reviews

Time: 2 minutes from the road side

North IslandWaikato

4.5 293 reviews

An Awesome Underground Caving & Rafting Adventure, Simply Amazing!

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South IslandWest Coast

4.5 35 reviews

  • 10% Off
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South IslandSouthland

4.5 20 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.5 1 review

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North IslandWairarapa

4.5 1 review

South IslandNelson Region

4.4 27 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.4 23 reviews

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North IslandWaikato

4.3 93 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.3 43 reviews

South IslandNelson Region

4.3 28 reviews

Time: 2 hr return

North IslandNorthland

4.3 6 reviews

South IslandFiordland

4.1 190 reviews

Combine a scenic cruise of Lake Te Anau and a visit the underground limestone caves lit by hundreds of glowworms

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South IslandWest Coast

4.1 3 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.1 74 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.1 13 reviews

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

4 2 reviews

approx 1 km return | 40 minutes return + time in cave

North IslandWaikato

3.9 290 reviews

Be amazed by the thousands of magical glowworms above as you glide gently by boat through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. For spectacular...

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North IslandWaikato

3.9 2 reviews

South IslandWest Coast

3.7 4 reviews

Five minutes walk north from the Pancake Rocks walkway is the Punakaiki Cavern, hidden away on the eastern side of the main road. Car parking...

North IslandWairarapa

North IslandWaikato

North IslandNorthland

South IslandNelson Region