Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Glowworm Caves One-Way Tour
- Location:Auckland, concludes in Rotorua, New Zealand
- Duration:5 hours (approx.)
- TOUR Code:3910GS11
Explore New Zealand’s famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a one-way day trip from Auckland to Rotorua! Along the way, you’ll have morning tea in historic Rangiriri, stop in Ngaruawahia, ride a boat through the Glowworm Grotto, see the Karapito Dam and drive under the Fitzgerald Glade.
Highlights
- One-way tour from Auckland to Rotorua via the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Visit Rangiriri, a historic Maori battle site
- See Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori King
- Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Drive through beautiful Fitzgerald Glade
On this fascinating one-way day trip from Auckland to Rotorua, you’ll make stops at some of the North Island of New Zealand’s natural wonders and historic sites, including a stop at the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Your tour departs Auckland for Rangiriri, where you’ll stop for morning tea. This historic township was the site of important battles between New Zealand’s native Maori and the invading British. Your guide will captivate you with the stories of these fierce conflicts as you learn of their importance to the birth of modern New Zealand.
You’ll leave Rangiriri and head to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, with a stop on the way in Ngaruawahia, the home of the Maori king. At Waitomo, a guide will lead you beneath the earth’s surface and into the caves’ long galleries and lofty chambers, including the famous Cathedral Chamber.
You’ll marvel at the limestone shafts and the stalactites that hang from the cave’s ceiling while your guide points out their interesting formations. You’ll then board a boat and ride through the Glowworm Grotto, a giant rock chamber illuminated by the phosphorescent light of thousands of glowworms. This experience is like no other and is a must-see for anyone traveling to the New Zealand.
Back in the coach, you’ll drive by the Karapiro Dam. The ultra-modern dam contrasts with the lush, natural greenery surrounding Lake Karapiro, making for great photo opportunities.
You’ll then drive through another of the North Island’s natural wonders, the Fitzgerald Glade, a section of Highway 5 where the native brush grows up and over the side of the road, and the trees make a canopy with their interlocking branches, forming a tunnel over the road.
As your journey comes to an end, you’ll drive over Mamaku Saddle pass and descend into Rotorua, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This tour is one of the most engaging and interesting coach tours on New Zealand’s North Island – don’t miss it.
Schedule Details
Rotorua, New Zealand
Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.
OR
SkyCity Travel Center Departure Time:
7:30am
Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.
Duration:5 hours (approx.)
Return details:Concludes at Rotorua, at approximately 1:30pm
Tour and Pricing Options
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Additional Information
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- Morning snack
- Picnic lunch served on board the coach (if option selected)
- Entry and guided tour of Waitomo Caves
- Live commentary on board
- Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop off service from inner city hotels.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat
- All tours are operated by luxury 5 star coaches, equipped with air conditioning, rest-room facilities, video monitors and reclining seats. For the comfort of all passengers, all tours have been designated as Non Smoking, with regular stops made for those who wish to smoke.
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
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Since 1999, over 3 million travelers have experienced more with Viator!
The trip from Auckland to Rotorua via Glowworm caves was brilliant. The driver was very ... Read more ›
Marco Antonio E, October 2011
This was very interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable. The bus was very comfortable and we ... Read more ›
Anonymous, March 2010
