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 Waitomo
Caves are a village and cave system forming a
major tourist attraction in the southern Waikato region of the North Island
of New Zealand, 12 kilometres northwest of Te Kuiti.
The community of
Waitomo Caves itself is very small, though the village has many temporary
service workers living there as well.
The word Waitomo comes from the Māori language wai meaning
water and tomo meaning a doline or sinkhole; it can thus be
translated to be water passing through a hole. These Caves are
believed to be over two million years old.
Several of the hundreds of limestone caves in the district are sites
for adventure activities, including abseiling into caverns, floating through
on inner tubes, or guided walks or boat trips through spectacular formations
or glow-worm caves.
In addition to sightseeing at Waitomo, there is the popular Museum of Caves
which operates the Visitor Information Centre.
Near the picturesque village there is a walkway, the Ruakuri Bushwalk, which
passes through three short caves and features unusual limestone formations.
There is also a pioneer farm show and horse trekking. Jet boats and
four-wheel-drive motorbikes may be hired.
Waitomo Caves is served by major
coach/bus operators
operating regular daily services.
There are no air services to or from Waitomo Caves. Nearest airport for
regular domestic air services is either
Auckland or
Hamilton.
There are no passenger train
services from Waitomo Caves to Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga or
Wellington.
The nearest railway station to Waitomo Caves if Otorohanga which is 30
minutes by road. The
Overlander train provides rail services
from Auckland, Hamilton, National Park, Palmerston and Wellington.
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