Waitomo Activities: Caves, Rafting, Ziplines
Waitomo activities at a glance
Waitomo is a small village on limestone country in the King Country, about 18 km from Te Kuiti. Almost everything to do here happens in or beside the caves. Prices below are in NZD, were taken from operator pages in 2026 and vary by season, so check the operator for current rates. Caves and cave tours can be cancelled in flooding, so check operator and council notices before you set out, especially before a drive along Te Anga Road.
Adventure options
| Activity | Operator | Minimum age | Time | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Labyrinth | Legendary Black Water Rafting Co | 12 | 3 hours | $199 adult, $154 youth (12-15), $589 family |
| Black Abyss | Legendary Black Water Rafting Co | 16 | 5 hours | $332 |
| Lost World Half Day | Waitomo Adventures | 10 | 4 to 5 hours | about $650 to $700 |
| Lost World Epic | Waitomo Adventures | 15 | 8 to 9 hours | $985 |
| Haggas Honking Holes | Waitomo Adventures | 15 | up to 4 hours | $350 |
| Troll Cave | Waitomo Adventures | children 1 to 14 with an adult | 1 to 1.5 hours | $180 per group of up to 8 |
Black water rafting
Black water rafting here means floating on an inner tube through a cave river, not paddling a river. The Black Labyrinth route takes in tubing, waterfall jumps and glowworms in Ruakuri Cave. Black Abyss adds a 35 m abseil, a zipline and waterfall climbing. Both tours need a body weight between 45 and 130 kg. The company is at 585 Waitomo Caves Road and supplies the wetsuit, gumboots, helmet, headlight and tube. Bring swimwear and a towel, and expect a hot shower afterwards. Personal cameras and phones stay behind, and guides take photos that you can buy after the trip.
Abseiling and caving with Waitomo Adventures
Waitomo Adventures is at 1227 Waitomo Valley Road. The Lost World Half Day starts with a 100 m abseil that takes about 20 minutes, with one guide for every four guests and a 40 kg minimum weight. The Epic version adds swimming and wading and includes a packed lunch and a barbecue dinner. Haggas Honking Holes has a 40 kg minimum, rock climbing and abseils mostly in waterfalls, and finishes with hot showers. Guide photos are shared online at no extra charge. Personal cameras are not allowed underground.
St Benedict’s Caverns (minimum age 12) and Lost World Through the Window (minimum age 10, no abseil, with a zipline) are private group charters for up to 8 people, at around $2,200 to $2,500 per group. The St Benedict’s entrance is a 60 m shaft, made of a 20 m and a 40 m abseil, and the main chamber has a flying fox.
Outdoor zipline park
Waitomo Caves Zipline Park is at 24 Te Anga Road, about 200 m past the Glowworm Cave. It has 10 ziplines over about 1 km, ending with a 280 m line, and takes about 2 hours through native trees and over limestone bluffs. The maximum weight is 120 kg. The minimum age is 7 or 8 depending on the seller, and resellers list an adult price near $140, so confirm both when you book.
Glowworm tours
Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a 45-minute tour ending with a silent boat ride, from $85 adult and $39 child, and photography is not allowed. Spellbound runs a 150-minute small-group tour of two caves from $109 adult and $38 child, and cameras are welcome. Glowing Adventures offers an Off the Beaten Track cave tour at $219 per person for ages 12 and over, in groups of up to 8. See Attraction tours in Waitomo for ticket details.
Practical tips
- Check in 30 minutes before a departure.
- Book ahead in peak season.
- There is no fuel west of Waitomo, so fill up at Otorohanga, Piopio or Te Kuiti.
- Stay on marked tracks and never explore caves without a licensed guide, because hidden vertical shafts called tomos are common on karst farmland.
Read more: Adventure tours in Waitomo and family-friendly activities in Waitomo .
Operator details: Discover Waitomo and Waitomo Adventures . Search for tours on GetYourGuide .