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Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

More from NTH - Waipu Caves
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Deals from $27.00 Save $18.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
See New Zealand's world famous glowworms in the Milky Way Glowworm Cave. Several tours daily. 2 hours North of Auckland.

See New Zealand's world famous glowworms in the Milky Way Glowworm Cave.
Several tours daily. 2 hours North of Auckland.

Highlights

  • See New Zealand's world-famous glow worms very close up and learn all about them
  • The closest glowworm cave to Auckland
  • Take photos and have memories to share for a life time!
  • See ancient fossilised bones
  • The only privately owned and operated walk-in glowworm show-cave in the world.

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

Adult ¤45.00
Child ¤30.00 (Ages 5-15)
Preschools ¤0.00 (Ages 4 and under)

What's included

  • Torches
  • Entry to the Cave
  • Experienced Guide

Duration

  • Allow approximately 1 hour for the whole experience

Location

  • Milky Way Glowworm Cave
  • 567 Waipu Caves Road
  • Waipu 0582
  • New Zealand

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • LOCATION:

    Milky Way Glow Worm Cave Tour is located in Waipu (Northland), a 1.5 - 2 hours, 125km, drive North of Auckland.

    Please be sure you are booking the right cave experience at the right location, as a 10% admin fee will be charged if the wrong location is booked.

    This is in addition to the above general terms and conditions and Bookme's T's & C's


    This guided tour is suitable for all ages. You must walk a short way (300m) on a gravel path through native forest to the cave entrance. Enter the cave on a concrete path, down 30 steps with hand rails and the natural wonder of the underworld starts.


  • Cancellation Policy:

    Up to 24 hours out 90% refund or free full reschedule.

    Within 24 hours, No refund, however, we could reschedule to a later time if possible.

    If you are running late to get here we will try to move you to a later time.

    In the event of bad weather we may not run the tour and can either refund you in full or reschedule you to a different time. Whichever you prefer. If you have booked online we will try to let you know before you arrive.

    This is in addition to Bookme's T's & C's

Available Bookings from 14 Apr to 27 Apr 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Tue 14 Apr
Wed 15 Apr
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Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Great experience
Great experience
beccaj5 from NZ
Great experience
Great experience
beccaj5 from NZ
Great experience
Great experience
beccaj5 from NZ
Great experience
Great experience
jol14 from NZ
Great experience
Great experience
jol14 from NZ

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5 Stars
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4.9

60 reviews

Read all 60 authenticated reviews for Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

Showing all 60 authenticated Bookme reviews

alanah16 from New Zealand wrote on 25 October 2025

What an experience!

We went early morning and had an awesome guide. Majestically fantastically awed at Mother Nature

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From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

thanks, got to love mother nature in all her shapes and forms.

gillianc from New Zealand wrote on 23 September 2024

Magical

An awesome experience. Beautiful and unique. Great opportunity to see glowworms, and staligtights up close.

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winstedt from Australia wrote on 04 April 2026

Milky Way Glowworms (An Undiscovered Gem)

This place is off the beaten track - not so easy to get to. But consequently it is a sight to behold. The glowworms are inches above your head and spread out above the cave ceiling as if you were looking at the milky way. AND YOU CAN TAKE PHOTOS! Definitely worth the visit and a notch above the other glowworm caves I've visited in NZ.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

Thanks for your review.

D and I from New Zealand wrote on 15 February 2026

Nice tour

Happy to experience our Valentines Day here. Brooke was our tour guide and she was great. We enjoyed it a lot. It was a simple and easy tour. We will come again for the longer tour in the bigger chamber.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

Thanks very much for your review. Brooke is please to read it and know you enjoyed the tour. Look forward to seeing you back for the Starburst Cathedral Tour (the longer tour). Maybe it will be Brookes older sister who will be your guide as she guides either tour. The Starburst Cathedral Tour should be on Bookme by the end of February 2026.

anujk from New Zealand wrote on 05 February 2026

Awesome❤️

High recommendation

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu

thank you

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