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Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour

4.9
55
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.

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

  • 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


    Please note:

    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

Available Bookings from 23 Jan to 5 Feb 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

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

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

4.9

55 reviews

Showing all 55 authenticated Bookme reviews

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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donnav4 from New Zealand wrote on 19 January 2026

Well worth the visit

We visited the Waipu Glowworm Caves and had a great time. The cave tour was really interesting and the glowworms were amazing to see. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and explained everything in a fun, easy-to-follow way, which made the experience even better. It’s also quite manageable for older people. My mum came along and she struggles to walk long distances or up hills — there are a few hills, but they’re very doable and we never felt rushed. Overall it was well run and an all-round awesome experience. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

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sureshn from India wrote on 18 January 2026

Amazing experience

The team has organized it so nicely that we thoroughly enjoyed. Well done

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From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour

Thank You. We are glad you enjoyed it.

moanao from New Zealand wrote on 19 January 2026

Review of Milky Way Tour

Went as a family. Short hike to get to the caves. Tour guide was very informative.. Tour was short but not too short ! Kids enjoyed it !

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From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour

Thanks for the good words. A little cool on the stars.

Rhóda Wartington from New Zealand wrote on 15 January 2026

Amazing experience!

Wr loved our visit and will go again!

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From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour

Awesome, thanks for coming.

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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