Any suggestions as to a private tour company out of Auckland where we could book a one day tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. We will be in Auckland for just a couple of days and understand that this is definitely a highlight not to be missed. Would want pick up and drop off at hotel and preferably lunch along the way. Thanks!

Go to www.newmanscoach.co.nz. Click on "Sightseeing" on the left, then "The Waitomo Caves Explorer". There is an Auckland-Waitomo-Auckland trip. I don't know if it includes the barbecue lunch at the Big Apple, but you can ask. I believe it does include pick-up and drop-off. Hope this helps.

Jay,

You can do a "Waitomo and Rotorua Day Experience" tour which also encompasses the Whakarewarwa Thermal Reserve. The tour leaves from AKL at 7:45A and gets back at 8:15P, and has a "light snack" en route. I don't know if that's more time than you wanted or not.

That said (<donning flame retardent suit); personally speaking, I don't know that I would describe this as a "highlight not to be missed". You go to the center for an interpretive talk which tells you more about glow worms than you'd ever want to know usually while slapping at your legs (TAKE BUG SPRAY -- I recommend Skintastic that you can pick up at Longs or Walgreen's) because of sand fleas. Then, you go into a boat into pitch black darkness and look up to see tiny pinpoint flashes of light (and no, you can't take pictures). Now, it's probably just me, but it COULD just be leftover Xmas twinkle lights put to good use!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

The highlight of Waitomo Caves is the blackwater rafting, 240 feet underground. Scarey and challenging, but if you are in reasonably good health and are not claustrophobic, then it is great fun.
Take a waterproof, flash camera, we didnt have one and regretted it.

Try Great Sights out of Auckland. They do day trips. Great company.

What time of year are these gnats really bad? I am extremely sensitive to bug bites and will suffer for 2-3 wks after getting nibbled upon... We go in August and plan to do the Waitomo tour...just haven't decided what level of adventure to tackle!

TTT

Alise

The sandflys are around all year round allthough they are more prolific in sunmmer. A quick squirt of bugsspray (skintastic is as good as any) and they will leave you alone.

To allay any fears. The bugs in NZ do NOT carry any diseases. Though the bites are annoying and itchy.

Steve

In Franz Josef you can see glow worms quickly, easily, and for free. Just take a flashlight and follow the walking trail that leads off the main street and into the woods. There are a lot around the base of a huge over-turned tree not far along the path and more in a little cave further along.