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Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
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The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the
North Island of New Zealand. It is known for its population of
Arachnocampa luminosa, a glowworm species found exclusively in New
Zealand. This cave is part of the
Waitomo Caves system that includes the Ruakuri Cave and the
Aranui Cave.
The attraction has a modern visitor centre at the entrance, largely
designed in wood. There are organized tours that include a boat ride
under the glowworms.
The guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves brings the
visitor through three different levels and begins at the top level
of the cave and the Catacombs. The levels are linked by the Tomo,
which is a 16 m vertical shaft made of limestone. The second level
is called the Banquet Chamber. |
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This level is where early visitors stopped to eat and there is
evidence of this in the smoke on the ceiling of the chamber. From
here it may be possible to link back to the upper level to see the
largest formation called the Pipe Organ but on busy days this area
is closed to the public because the build-up of carbon monoxide may
be hazardous.
The third and final level goes down into the Cathedral,
demonstration platform, and the jetty. The Cathedral is an enclosed
area with rough surfaces, now paved, and is about 18 m high, giving
it good acoustics. A number of famous singers and choirs have
performed here including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
The tour concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. The
boat takes the visitor onto the underground Waitomo River where the
only light comes from the tiny glowworms creating a sky of living
lights.
Getting
There
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located in the southern Waikato
region of the North Island of New Zealand, 12 km northwest of Te
Kuiti. This cave is about 2 hours south of Auckland, 1 hour south of
Hamilton, and 2 hours west of Rotorua by car. The directions to the
Caves are to exit State Highway 3 onto Waitomo Caves Road and to
continue on the road for about 8 km..
This tourist attraction
is well serviced by public transport including taxis, buses and
shuttle.
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