Comments on: Waitomo’s Glow Worm Caves

By: Wandering crouton

Wandering crouton — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:42:03 +0000

Try the ‘Lost World’ 4 hour adventure (Waitomo Adventures). I don’t like heights either but this involved a 100 metre high free – hanging abseil. You are roped up before you even get to the ‘launch’ platform, so it feels really secure. The scariest part is leaning back to sit on the rail whilst the guides harness you to the abseil ropes (and themselves as an extra safety precaution). However, once you relax into the descent – controlled by you, and very safe, it is breath-taking. It was an absolutely spectacular experience and I LOVED it! I’m not so scared of heights now, either. The caving & glow-worms were good – but second to the abseil! By the way, I am 53, overweight and not particularly fit……

By: John

John — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:09:48 +0000

Have you tried going to the Ruakuri Natural Tunnel Walk at night? You will see a glorious display of glow worms for free. Torches are essential.

By: Dina VagabondQuest

Dina VagabondQuest — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:46:10 +0000

Great write up of black water rafting, brings up a good memory. I did it as well in February this year. Totally love it! Jumping over the falls was really scary for me at first, I rely entirely on the guide guy pushing my chest, as I jump very weakly. Just like you, I touched the rocks (I think by my bum, that close to the rock..) The later on jumps, I was less scared even though still pretty much rely on them pushing me. Want to compare to my experience? I wrote mine in here:
http://www.vagabondquest.com/new-zealand/black-water-rafting-in-the-waitomo-glowworms-caves-of-new-zealand-2/

By: Vi @ Travel Tips

Vi @ Travel Tips — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:09:05 +0000

If somebody wants to see only glow warms there are other caves (and it is free) in New Zealand. One place I remmeber is Punakaiki Cavern close to famous pancake rocks in South Island.

By: Bec

Bec — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:51:20 +0000

agree that the 5 hour trip was slightly too long (i was fine until the 4.5 hour mark and the last 30 min were misrable…) but i am still super glad i did it over the 3 hr trip. i am not scared of heights, but force of habit, i screamed bloody murder when i jumped so i can relate, sort of! and the screaming sounds even worse in the cave!!!

highly reccomend to all who travel in NZ:-)

By: Esther

Esther — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:12:30 +0000

Thanks for the photos and write-up. First time I’m hearing (reading) about this!

Definitely something to check out during our NZ adventure – soon. We’re planning a one year trip soon and NZ’s on the list!

By: davidhaedly

davidhaedly — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:02:25 +0000

What a nice photographs. I thought how you taken this photo. This blogpost and photographs are amazing. You have add such a beautiful regarding traveling.

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:14:30 +0000

Wow, sounds like an amazing experience. I am with you, I hate jumping into thin air. I am not good with it. Dave loves it and doesn’t get stressed about it at all. I can’t understand not having that fear, because for me, I get butterflies. I hate the feeling of falling. But it definitely looked worth it, so when we make it to New Zealand, we will be checking out the glow worms for sure.

By: Akila

Akila — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:30:05 +0000

We did the Waitomo Glow Worm caves too, and loved it but, instead of doing the blackwater rafting, we did the Sounds of Silence rafting tour. It was a less adventurous option but we felt like we got very close to the glowworms and experienced them more in depth than on a rafting adventure. Either way, it’s an amazing site and next time we go to New Zealand, we will try the blackwater rafting version.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:32:15 +0000

Just ask for Monkey!