Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

Experience the Milky Way Glowworm Cave on this guided 1-hour tour suitable for all ages.

See New Zealand's world-famous glowworms up close and marvel at the beautiful hanging crystal formations. Hear the soothing sounds of the stream and dripping water while admiring the sparkle of glowworms in the dark.

Discover ancient moa bones and learn about the lives of the glowworms, how the cave was formed and about the formations. Loving nature is not just about seeing with your eyes, but knowing with your mind and heart.

The guided tour starts at the office and leads you through native forest on a gravel path, then down 30 steps into the cave, along a concrete path with hand rails. You are provided a hand held torch which gives you a real cave experience in a safe way while staying clean and dry.

Plus, you can take photos, which many other cave tours don't allow.

Don't miss this awe-inspiring top-rated adventure with the most information and educational close up opportunity with glowworms in NZ!

The Milky Way Glowworm Cave was open to public viewing in 2023 after being kept secret for over 100 years. It is the Jewel of a privately owned conservation and recreation park called Waipu Caves Farm Park, which also has camping site for tents and motorhomes.

A second cave tour option for those wanting a longer time underground, goes twice the distance into the cave, past the Milky Way Chamber (the 1 hour tour) and goes to the Starburst Cathedral which was opened in December 2025. The longer Starburst Cathedral tour last 90 minutes and give a lot more information and does not have young children on it. It is the tour you should take if you want the best photos and love learning in depth.

Make sure you know where we are, before you book a tour. We are 2 hours, 125km, North of Auckland. We are the closest glowworm cave to Auckland.

Want to explore for longer? Double your adventure with the Starburst Cathedral tour — deeper cave exploration and double the time of the standard visit