1. Waitomo Glowworm Caves (Waikato)

The most famous cave in NZ. The glowworm grotto is as good as advertised. Book online to skip the queue.

2. Ruakuri Cave (Waitomo)

The only cave in NZ with wheelchair access. The spiral entrance, the limestone formations, the glowworms.

3. Nikau Cave (Waikato)

The wild cave experience. No lights, small groups, wading through streams.

4. Cathedral Caves (Catlins)

Sea caves accessible at low tide. The main chamber is 30m high. Check the tide times.

5. Clifden Caves (Southland)

A limestone cave system near Clifden. Free, unguided, and genuinely adventurous.

6. The caves of the Paparoa Track (West Coast)

Limestone karst landscape. The Ballroom Overhang and the Metro Cave are the picks.

7. Ananui Cave (Nelson)

The marble cave near Takaka Hill. Not as famous as Waitomo, quieter for it.

8. Ngarua Caves (Takaka)

The limestone cave on Takaka Hill. Well-protected formations, glowworms.

9. Marble Mountain Cave (Tākaka)

Part of the Takaka Hill cave system. Guided tours through marble formations.

10. Ōparara Arch (West Coast)

Not a cave in the traditional sense, but a limestone arch 43m high. The honeycomb formations are unique.

FAQ

Do I need a guide for all of these caves?

No. Clifden Caves are free and unguided, genuinely adventurous rather than a set tour, while Waitomo and Ruakuri are both guided experiences you book in advance. Nikau Cave sits in between, small guided groups wading through streams rather than a fixed boardwalk tour.

What should I actually wear? Are the caves cold?

Yes, expect cool, damp conditions year-round, and at Nikau Cave specifically you'll be wading through streams, so bring clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet. Waitomo and Ruakuri are more sheltered and better suited to normal clothing since they're set walkways rather than scrambles.

Which cave is accessible if someone in the group uses a wheelchair?

Ruakuri Cave, and it's the only one on this list built for it. Waitomo's glowworm grotto and the rest involve stairs, uneven ground, or wading, none of which are wheelchair-friendly.

Is Waitomo worth it if I've already done Ruakuri?

Only if the glowworm grotto specifically is what you're after, since that's the one thing Ruakuri doesn't have. Otherwise Ruakuri's spiral entrance and limestone formations cover similar ground with better accessibility and usually shorter queues.