What exactly are the Waitomo Caves?
What are the Waitomo Caves? The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a famous cave attraction located in Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand. It is known for its population of Arachnocampa luminosa, a species of glowworm found exclusively in New Zealand. The cave is part of the Waitomo Streamway system, which also includes the Ruakuri Cave, Lucky Strike, and Tumutumu Cave. The name "Waitomo" comes from the Māori words "wai," meaning water, and "tomo," meaning sinkhole or shaft.
Over the last 30 million years, geological and volcanic activity has created around 300 known limestone caves in the Waitomo region. The limestone formation in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occurred when the region was still under the ocean about 30 million years ago. The limestone is composed of fossilised corals, seashells, fish skeletons, and many small marine organisms that were on the sea beds. Over time, these fossilised rocks have been layered upon each other and compressed to create limestone. In the Waitomo region, the limestone can be over 200 metres thick.
The caves began to form when earth movement caused the hard limestone to bend and buckle under the ocean and rise above the sea floor. As the rock was exposed to air, it separated and created cracks and weaknesses that allowed water to flow through them, dissolving the limestone. Over millions of years, large caves were formed.
The stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations grew from water dripping from the ceiling or flowing over the walls and leaving behind limestone deposits. The stalagmites form upward from the floor, while the stalactites form from the ceiling. When these formations connect, they are called pillars or columns, and if they twist around each other, they are called helictites. These cave decorations take millions of years to form, given that the average stalactite grows one cubic centimetre every 100 years.
The glowworms of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves are closely monitored by a Scientific Advisory Group. This group uses automated equipment to continually monitor the air quality, carbon dioxide levels, rock and air temperature, and humidity. The data from this equipment is carefully analysed by specialist staff to establish how the cave should be managed. They determine if and when air flow patterns should be changed and how many people are allowed to visit the caves each day.
A guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves brings visitors through three different levels, beginning at the top level of the cave and the Catacombs. The levels are linked by the Tomo, which is a 16-meter vertical shaft made of limestone. The second level is called the Banquet Chamber, where early visitors stopped to eat, as evidenced by the smoke on the chamber's ceiling. The third and final level goes down into the Cathedral, the demonstration platform, and the jetty. The cathedral is an enclosed area with rough surfaces, now paved, and is about 18 metres high, giving it good acoustics. The tour concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, where the only light comes from the tiny glowworms, creating a sky of living lights on the underground Waitomo River.
Whether you're a domestic traveller or visiting from abroad, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves offer an enchanting and unforgettable experience, showcasing the natural beauty and wonder of New Zealand's North Island.
Visiting the Caves? Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park offers a variety of accommodation options. Book with us early to secure your stay.