Ruakuri Cave Tour in Waitomo
Highlights & inclusions
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September 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Step into the enchanting world of Ruakuri Cave, one of Waitomo’s most captivating and accessible underground experiences. This 1.5 hour guided Ruakuri Cave Tour allows you to explore intricate limestone formations, crystal tapestries and hear the thunder subterranean waterfalls, all while getting an up-close view of the magical glowworms that light up this cave in Waitomo.
The Ruakuri Cave tour begins with descending through a unique man-made spiral entrance, leading to beautiful limestone chambers such as Holdens Cavern, The Drum Passage and The Ghost Passage. Along the way, you'll discover the cave’s geological history and cultural significance, including its early exploration by James Holden.
Ruakuri Cave offers a sustainable, inclusive experience in Waitomo, powered entirely by renewable energy and designed to accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs (widths up to 65cm). Unlike the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, photography is permitted at Ruakuri Cave, allowing you to capture the beauty of this unique cave system.
Location
What you need to know
- 1.5 hour Ruakuri Cave tour
- Wheelchair & pushchair-accessible pathways
- Unique spiral entrance
- View glowworms & limestone formations
- Please allow 2 hours for this experience
- Approximately 90 minutes is spent underground
- Regular departures between 10am - 3:30pm
- Departs from Ruakuri Visitor Centre on Tumutumu Road, Waitomo
- Operates daily all year
- Child rates apply (4-14yrs)
- You must have your own transport to the Ruakuri Visitor Centre (located near the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre)
- Wheelchair/pushchair width must not exceed 65cm
- Backpacks are not permitted inside the cave
- Photography and video are allowed in designated areas
- Ruakuri Cave is powered by 100% renewable energy
- Please bring a warm jacket & wear comfortable walking shoes
- The Ruakuri Visitor Centre is a cashless site, please bring a contactless payment method for any purchases
- Tours may be cancelled due to weather or other conditions; provide contact details for updates
- Please check in 30 minutes prior to your experience.
- There is a strict maximum of 16 people per tour.
- Ruakuri Cave is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible. (maximum 65cm width)
- Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals may result in you forfeiting your experience
Recent reviews
It was a great experience! I forgot the name of our tour guide, he was good, casual.
