Kawiti Glow Worm Cave Tour & Opua Forest Walk: Bay of Islands

Underground glow worms, a thousand-year-old forest, and a toilet that became art

A 4-hour guided tour of the Bay of Islands visiting Kawiti Glow Worm Caves, the Hundertwasser Toilets and Opua Forest, departing from Waitangi wharf on cruise ship days or Paihia I-site on other days. A Maori guide from the family who has owned the caves for over 400 years leads you through a 200-metre limestone cavern on a wooden boardwalk, then a 30-minute forest walk past kauri trees over 1,000 years old. Cave entry is included, and the operator guarantees return to your tender in time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kawiti Glow Worm Cave and Forest Walk

• Visit Kawiti Glowworm Caves
• Take guided cave tour
• Drive to Kawakawa
• See Hundertwasser Toilets
• Stop at Golf Club lookout
• Walk among ancient Kauri trees

The experience

The tour departs at 9:30 am from either Waitangi wharf (on cruise ship days) or Paihia I-site (other days). Your Maori guide leads you into Kawiti Glow Worm Caves, where a wooden boardwalk with handrails winds through a 200-metre limestone system. Thousands of glow worms spread across the ceiling, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. The guide explains how the caves were discovered and what the glow worms are: knowledge passed down through a family that has owned the attraction for over 400 years.

After the caves, a short drive takes you to Kawakawa to see the Hundertwasser Toilets, a public restroom designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and built from recycled local materials. It is recognized as an international work of art. A stop at the Golf Club lookout offers views across Waitangi Bay. The leisurely 30-minute walk through Opua Forest brings you past kauri trees that are over 1,000 years old: some of the oldest living things on the North Island.

Mullarkey Tours has operated this route for over 10 years and has never missed the last tender back to a cruise ship. The entire tour runs approximately 4 hours. Guides speak English and German. Children from age 5 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Cave entry and all taxes and fees are included.
• your Maori guide speaks English or German and leads both the cave tour and the forest walk.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and ThursdayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 95 years) · Youth (13 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Mullarkey Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Most Bay of Islands tours either rush through the caves or skip the forest entirely. This one holds both (glow worms and ancient kauri trees in the same morning), because the 4-hour window and fixed schedule mean the guide can linger at each stop instead of watching the clock.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 15 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are glow worms and where do I see them on this tour?

Glow worms cover the ceiling inside Kawiti Glow Worm Caves as you walk the wooden boardwalk through the limestone cavern. Thousands of them create a starfield effect against the rock above, and your guide explains what they are and how they came to live in the cave system.

How long is the walk through Opua Forest and what will I see there?

The Opua Forest walk takes 30 minutes and passes kauri trees that are over 1,000 years old. These are among the largest and longest-living trees in New Zealand, and the walk is leisurely: suitable for all fitness levels.

Will I definitely get back to my cruise ship tender on time?

Yes. Mullarkey Tours guarantees return to your tender in time and has never missed the last tender in over 10 years of operation. The 4-hour tour is timed to fit cruise ship schedules.

What is the Hundertwasser Toilets stop, and why is it on the tour?

The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa are a public restroom designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser using recycled materials from the local community. They are recognized as an international work of art and a unique cultural landmark in the Bay of Islands.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to do the cave walk?

The cave walk is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You follow a wooden boardwalk with handrails through the limestone cave, so no climbing or scrambling is required. Children from age 5 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.