Aranui Cave Guided Tour

Experience the tranquil charm of Aranui Cave on a 1-hour guided tour through its smaller chambers filled with stunning limestone and Māori heritage.

Getting started

Your ticket includes a 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and meet your guide before beginning your forest walk to the cave entrance.

What to expect

• Scenic forest walk: Take a tranquil stroll through the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve’s native forest to find the hidden entrance to Aranui Cave.

• Intimate cave chambers: Explore smaller, narrow chambers featuring some of Waitomo’s most delicate and spectacular stalactites in soft browns, pinks, and whites.

• Māori cultural stories: Listen to your guide share rich Māori myths and the cave’s cultural significance, discovered by local Māori Ruruku Aranui in 1910.

• Quiet, crowd-free tour: Enjoy a serene and personal experience, perfect for photographers and those seeking a calm exploration.

Know before you go

What to bring

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.

• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Photography and video are permitted in the cave.