Kawiti Caves

The Kawiti Caves are a cave located in Waitomo, New Zealand's North Island. It's famous for having a colony of Arachnocampa luminosa, a glow worm that's only found in New Zealand.

The Ruakuri Cave, Lucky Strike Cave, and Tumutumu Cave are all part of the Waitomo Streamway System.At the entrance to the site, there is a modern visitor center that is mostly made of wood. Tours are available that involve a boat trip beneath the glowworms.

The limestone formation of the Kawiti Caves began about 30 million years ago, when the region was still under water. Earth movement led the hard limestone to flex and bow under the sea and rise above the sea floor, forming caverns.

As the rock was exposed to the air, it separated, forming fissures and weaknesses that allowed water to seep through, dissolving the limestone and forming enormous caves over millions of years.

Location: 49 Waiomio Road, Waiomio 0243, New Zealand

Opening time: 09:00–16:30

Prices: $10 - $35