Rotorua and Waitomo tour from Auckland: Glow Worm Caves

Thermal geysers and underground constellations in a day

A full-day tour from Auckland takes you south through farmland to Rotorua's active thermal region (geysers, mud pools and steaming craters), then east to Waitomo for a 45-minute guided boat tour through glow worm caves. Te Puia Thermal Reserve, lunch, Rotorua city sights and hotel pickup are included. A live English-speaking guide leads the route.

The experience

Departing Auckland at 7am, the drive south crosses the Bombay hills into Waikato dairy farmland, with a photo stop overlooking the Hauraki Plains and the Kaimai Range in the distance. Once in Rotorua, you tour the city sights before entering Te Puia Thermal Reserve, where the landscape itself is the attraction: boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, steaming fumaroles and giant water-filled craters spread across one of the Pacific's most active thermal regions. This is the heartland of Maori culture, and the thermal features are what define the place.

After Rotorua, the route heads toward Waitomo with a brief stop at a swing bridge over the Waikato River, where you can see the Arapuni hydro-electric power station. The day's centerpiece is the 45-minute guided tour through Waitomo Caves, where you travel by boat through a limestone grotto lit by constellations of tiny shining glow worms, past a magnificent cathedral chamber and intriguing stalagmites and stalactites. You emerge from the caves and head back to Auckland.

Lunch and bottled water are provided throughout the day. The tour suits all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are available, and children from age 1 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Auckland.
• Rotorua city sights tour.
• Te Puia Thermal Reserve entry.
• lunch and steam box lunch.
• 45-minute guided Waitomo Caves tour.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Zest Tours

Is this one for you?This full-day tour works for travelers who want to cover both Rotorua's thermal landscape and Waitomo's glow worm caves in a single trip from Auckland without arranging their own transport or navigating between sites.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 13 years).

What is Te Puia and what will I see there?

Te Puia Thermal Reserve is Rotorua's main geothermal attraction, where you'll walk among boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, steaming fumaroles and giant water-filled craters spread across one of the Pacific's most active thermal regions.

How long is the glow worm cave tour at Waitomo?

The guided glow worm cave tour lasts 45 minutes and travels by boat through a limestone grotto lit by tiny shining glow worms, passing a cathedral chamber and formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

What stops are included between Rotorua and Waitomo?

You'll make a brief stop at a swing bridge over the Waikato River with a view of the Arapuni hydro-electric power station on the way to Waitomo.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup in Auckland is included, and the tour departs at 7am.