Waipu Caves Track
Waipu Caves Track
4.5
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Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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3 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Kaylie B
Napier, New Zealand33 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Good level of fitness required. We didnt see glow worms as you have to walk quite deep into the caves through some water to see. We have a 6 year old with us and just enjoyed walking and looking around the caves. Quite a drive out of the way but worth it.
Written December 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
YING L
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Feb 2020
Nice place and casual adventure to see the amazing glow worms in the cave. Proper for family with children. Needs to walk in the water about knee height. So better wear long boots in winter or shorts in summer.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
morleymatt
Auckland, New Zealand48 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
It's all free....
Enter the caves and take a left turn..... wear some trainers or jelly shoes because you'll get wet feet!
Follow the stream (not good in the winter as too much water) duck under some low rocks and go as far as you can (safely!)
Now and again, turn off your torches..... keep your eyes shut to adjust to the dark, then look up...... the glow worms will blow you away....
Be patient - it takes time for your eyes to adjust to total darkness, but when they do... your breath will be taken away.
Take good torches, don't be shy about ducking under low rocks (it's bigger than you think) don't bother going right as it's a short route with nothing going on) - be careful as it's super slippery in places!! Good grippy shoes/trainers/reef shoes are a must!
A word of warning!!!!!
Do NOT go into the caves when heavy rain is forecast, the caves were formed by water - work it out ;-)
Enter the caves and take a left turn..... wear some trainers or jelly shoes because you'll get wet feet!
Follow the stream (not good in the winter as too much water) duck under some low rocks and go as far as you can (safely!)
Now and again, turn off your torches..... keep your eyes shut to adjust to the dark, then look up...... the glow worms will blow you away....
Be patient - it takes time for your eyes to adjust to total darkness, but when they do... your breath will be taken away.
Take good torches, don't be shy about ducking under low rocks (it's bigger than you think) don't bother going right as it's a short route with nothing going on) - be careful as it's super slippery in places!! Good grippy shoes/trainers/reef shoes are a must!
A word of warning!!!!!
Do NOT go into the caves when heavy rain is forecast, the caves were formed by water - work it out ;-)
Written September 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marcel B
Podolinec, Slovakia144 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
very very nice caves with tousends Glow worms. Easy acces and free entry. One of the favorite caves on New zealand
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stevelamb7777
Auckland Central, New Zealand60 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
Went to the caves a few years ago on a very hot day , nice and cool inside , you need good foot wear it can be slippery . A pair of gumboots would be handy . Loads of glow worms deeper in the cave , a nice different experience for free . No shops around so pack some food and drinks Check out the water fall north after you do the caves , if it is fine .
Written October 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ben Walther
Radebeul, Germany1,332 contributions
Dec 2019
Forget about the Waitomo Caves! At the Waipu Caves you can see glowworms for free - and you can take as many photos as you want. The short walk into the caves and to its end is a little bit of an adventure and your feet can get wet and muddy, but it's worth it.
Written December 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MaggiePrentice
One Tree Point, New Zealand34 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
We enjoyed this walk, it says for fitness of all levels but I think it is not great if you are not relatively fit, quite steep in places, track could do with up keep as it was steep and muddy in places which had you looking for something to hang on to at times. Scenery around track lovely, lots of sandstone and pretty bush. View at the top great also.
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tambonz
Waipu, New Zealand836 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
On a muddy rainy day its not the best to go traipsing across a field .... but on a dry day it is!! Wonderful glow worms are within as well as a river. Take gumboots!!
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelAddicted_FlightAttendant:-)
Bern, Switzerland31 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
I've been to the Glowworm Caves in TeAnau and was amazed. Unfortunately you weren't allowed taking any pictures (was told is the same at Waitomo) - so I was really happy to find this cave! Went there in the evening and morning. Taking pictures we spent quite some time there. Evenings were a bit busier - more people - but it seemed the glowworms were glowing brighter / or more glowworms glowing. Morning at around 8 or 9 we were in there all on our own - really cool! We only drove north of Auckland to see these caves and it was well worth it! As said in other reviews - clothes that can get dirty and good shoes should be worn. my camera got a bit mudy too - but worth the pictures I could get!
Written December 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ismay20
London, UK217 contributions
Mar 2019
Track goes no where! Nothing to see and just had to turn around and come back but the cave is amazing so I would just park up and do this instead, don’t bother with the walk
Written March 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waipu Caves Track - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Waipu Caves Track
- Hotels near Waipu Caves Track:
- (6.53 mi) Camp Waipu Cove
- (6.52 mi) Ruakaka Beach Front Motel
- (6.20 mi) Ruakaka Beach Holiday Park
- (9.73 mi) One Tree Point Motel
- (6.49 mi) Sandcastle
- Restaurants near Waipu Caves Track:
- (6.53 mi) McLeod's Pizza Barn
- (6.23 mi) Spice Route Indian Restaurant
- (6.42 mi) Waipu Cafe and Deli
- (6.33 mi) Porthouse Bar & Eatery
- (6.53 mi) The Bach Cafe