April 19, 2019

Visit New Zealand: Ruakuri Cave

While planning our trip to New Zealand, we knew we wanted to see the glowworms.  We decided to book two different tours, one of which was the Ruakuri Cave Tour.

This approximately two-hour tour will take you through the amazing Ruakuri Cave to get up close and personal with spectacular formations.

The spiral entrance itself is pretty amazing, and once you enter Ruakuri Cave, you are treated to some amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations

It's pretty incredible how a single drop of water can produce such beautiful structures over thousands and thousands of years.



The different textures and colors, all created by nature, were quite a sight to see!




At times it was a bit trepidatious walking beneath jagged and pointed limestone formations.  Careless and selfish visitors have tarnished and even broken off parts of the cave, but be forewarned - there is absolutely no touching of any parts of the cave or you could be fined!

Other features of the cave looked graceful, such as the crystalline drapes (or bacon, as some have called them!).

Our guide did a fantastic job in explaining how the stalactites and stalagmites formed, as well as telling stories behind different parts of the cave.

The Mirror Pool was one of my favorites. It's also known as Gollum's pool (from Lord of the Rings fame!).

Another highlight was being able to see the glowworms.  The glowworms are actually maggots (glowworms sound so much nicer!).

Gloworms are actually suspended from a sticky fiber of mucus, which attracts food.  Once the guide turns on the lights, you'll be able to see these interesting, and somewhat pretty filaments.  

You're able to take photos of the glowworms at Ruakuri Cave.  It was quite difficult, as you can tell by my photo below, but if you have an amazing camera you should be able to capture spectacular photos.
At the end of our tour, upon our ascent up the spiral, our guide went into song.  It was such an enchanting and, dare I say - spiritual, end to an amazing tour through Ruakuri Cave!




Ruakuri Cave
205 Ruakuri Rd
Waitomo 3985
+64 7 878 6219



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