Waitomo Caves Tour from Hamilton
Glowworms underground, limestone country above it, and somebody else on the Marokopa Road. Half day, $795.
Waitomo is about an hour south of Hamilton and most visitors do the same thing: drive down, do the glowworm boat, drive back. It is a good two hours inside a four hour round trip.
The valley above the caves is the part worth staying for, and it is also the part with the narrow, winding roads that first-time visitors find least enjoyable to drive. So we drive it.
What the tour covers
The half day tour is $795 including lunch. The glowworm caves boat tour can be added on and we will book the timed entry to fit the day.
- Pick up from Hamilton, Cambridge or Te Awamutu
- The drive south through native fern forest and limestone country
- Mangapohue Natural Bridge, a boardwalk loop under a limestone arch
- Marokopa Falls, a wide curtain waterfall off the Marokopa Road
- A relaxed cafe lunch stop
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves boat tour as an optional add on
Choosing your cave
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The classic. Easy walking and a silent boat ride under a ceiling of glowworms. Suits all ages and fitness levels.
Ruakuri
A longer walk through a spiral entrance, and wheelchair accessible throughout.
Black water rafting
Wetsuit and inner tube. Genuinely an adventure rather than a sightseeing trip.
Aranui
A dry cave, formations rather than glowworms, and usually much quieter.
Why not just drive it yourself
You certainly can. The state highway south is straightforward. The Marokopa Road west of Waitomo, which is where the natural bridge and the falls are, is another matter: narrow, winding, unsealed in places and with very little phone reception.
It is a lovely road if you are confident on rural New Zealand roads. It is a long hour if you are not, especially in a rental collected that morning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Waitomo from Hamilton?
About 75 kilometres, roughly an hour south through Te Awamutu and Otorohanga.
How much is a Waitomo tour from Hamilton?
$795 for the half day tour including lunch. The glowworm caves boat tour is an optional extra we can book into the day.
Is the glowworm cave tour included?
It is an optional add on rather than part of the base price, so you can choose which cave you want or skip it and focus on the valley above ground.
Can we do Waitomo and Hobbiton in one day?
They are in opposite directions from Hamilton, so it makes for a very long day. Most people do them as two separate trips, and we would recommend that.
What Our Guests Say
Real Experiences From Classic Car Tours
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“Thank You Trevor 4 making My Mum's day, and allowing us to take a wee joyride with U.. Ruby, 1955 Thunderbird was an absolutely Beautiful little lady to ride in.. Thank you from both Mum and I for a memorable outing. I know she won't 4get it in a hurry 😊 Regards.. Becx & Rose”
“Trevor was a great person to meet he was awesome with my kids and had some great stories about his journeys, I would recommend Trevor any day.”
“Trevor from Classic Car Tours was fantastic! We booked him to take our son to his school ball. Trevor's communication was prompt and informative, and we were given a choice of two beautiful cars, our son chose the Jaguar. The car was absolutely stunning and Trevor arrived with plenty of time, giving our son and his partner lots of time to take photos. He was also more than happy to chat about the car, show them under the bonnet and answer all their questions. He even let them have a turn sitting in the driver's seat for photos, which was such a cool touch. Highly recommend Classic Car Tours!”
“Trevor was presented beautifully and professionally. His charisma and gentle approach made our son night. Our son loves classic cars and we had the absolute time of our lives. It also was great he had knowledge of the venues and was able to navigate that for us. I would highly recommend any service. You will not be disappointed. I even got to for a ride there's nothing more soothing then the sound of the muscle of the Mustang. We will be back for tour of the Mercedes. Thank you Trevor mate.”
“This Father's Day, my wife arranged something I'll never forget, a surprise ride with Classic Car Tours. Trevor arrived to collect me in a red Ford Thunderbird, a true gem of a classic, its glowing in the sunlight like something out of another era. Partway through our drive, Trevor surprised me again, pulling up in his Mercedes SL55 AMG, giving me my very first taste of what it feels like to be near a supercar in full flight. The roar of the engine, the smoothness of the ride, the sheer joy of the moment, it was an experience I'll carry with me for a long time. To any fellow car lover out there, I can't recommend this enough. It's not just about the cars, it's about the memories they help create.”
“This Father's Day, my wife arranged something I'll never forget, a surprise ride with Classic Car Tours. Trevor arrived to collect me in a red Ford Thunderbird, a true gem of a classic, its glowing in the sunlight like something out of another era. Partway through our drive, Trevor surprised me again, pulling up in his Mercedes SL55 AMG, giving me my very first taste of what it feels like to be near a supercar in full flight. The roar of the engine, the smoothness of the ride, the sheer joy of the moment, it was an experience I'll carry with me for a long time. To any fellow car lover out there, I can't recommend this enough. It's not just about the cars, it's about the memories they help create.”
“Trevor from Classic Car Tours was fantastic! We booked him to take our son to his school ball. Trevor's communication was prompt and informative, and we were given a choice of two beautiful cars, our son chose the Jaguar. The car was absolutely stunning and Trevor arrived with plenty of time, giving our son and his partner lots of time to take photos. He was also more than happy to chat about the car, show them under the bonnet and answer all their questions. He even let them have a turn sitting in the driver's seat for photos, which was such a cool touch. Highly recommend Classic Car Tours!”
“Trevor was a great person to meet he was awesome with my kids and had some great stories about his journeys, I would recommend Trevor any day.”
“Trevor was presented beautifully and professionally. His charisma and gentle approach made our son night. Our son loves classic cars and we had the absolute time of our lives. It also was great he had knowledge of the venues and was able to navigate that for us. I would highly recommend any service. You will not be disappointed. I even got to for a ride there's nothing more soothing then the sound of the muscle of the Mustang. We will be back for tour of the Mercedes. Thank you Trevor mate.”
“Thank You Trevor 4 making My Mum's day, and allowing us to take a wee joyride with U.. Ruby, 1955 Thunderbird was an absolutely Beautiful little lady to ride in.. Thank you from both Mum and I for a memorable outing. I know she won't 4get it in a hurry 😊 Regards.. Becx & Rose”
“Thank You Trevor 4 making My Mum's day, and allowing us to take a wee joyride with U.. Ruby, 1955 Thunderbird was an absolutely Beautiful little lady to ride in.. Thank you from both Mum and I for a memorable outing. I know she won't 4get it in a hurry 😊 Regards.. Becx & Rose”
“Trevor was a great person to meet he was awesome with my kids and had some great stories about his journeys, I would recommend Trevor any day.”
“This Father's Day, my wife arranged something I'll never forget, a surprise ride with Classic Car Tours. Trevor arrived to collect me in a red Ford Thunderbird, a true gem of a classic, its glowing in the sunlight like something out of another era. Partway through our drive, Trevor surprised me again, pulling up in his Mercedes SL55 AMG, giving me my very first taste of what it feels like to be near a supercar in full flight. The roar of the engine, the smoothness of the ride, the sheer joy of the moment, it was an experience I'll carry with me for a long time. To any fellow car lover out there, I can't recommend this enough. It's not just about the cars, it's about the memories they help create.”
“Trevor from Classic Car Tours was fantastic! We booked him to take our son to his school ball. Trevor's communication was prompt and informative, and we were given a choice of two beautiful cars, our son chose the Jaguar. The car was absolutely stunning and Trevor arrived with plenty of time, giving our son and his partner lots of time to take photos. He was also more than happy to chat about the car, show them under the bonnet and answer all their questions. He even let them have a turn sitting in the driver's seat for photos, which was such a cool touch. Highly recommend Classic Car Tours!”
“Trevor was presented beautifully and professionally. His charisma and gentle approach made our son night. Our son loves classic cars and we had the absolute time of our lives. It also was great he had knowledge of the venues and was able to navigate that for us. I would highly recommend any service. You will not be disappointed. I even got to for a ride there's nothing more soothing then the sound of the muscle of the Mustang. We will be back for tour of the Mercedes. Thank you Trevor mate.”
Book the Waitomo Day
Half day, lunch included, glowworm caves optional. $795.