The Waitomo Caves are one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions, best known for their spectacular glowworms, underground rivers and limestone cave formations.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are famous for their thousands of tiny glowworms illuminating the darkness of the caves like a starry night sky. Guided tours take visitors underground to experience the limestone formations and travel by boat through the glowworm grotto.

There are also several other cave and adventure experiences in the Waitomo area, including Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave and a range of black-water rafting and adventure activities.

While many visitors choose to stay right in Waitomo village, Somersal offers another option: stay in the peaceful countryside of Pirongia and make the short drive to the caves.

We’re approximately 30 minutes from the Waitomo Caves, making Somersal an easy and relaxing base for a day exploring the caves and other attractions in the region.

If you’re planning to visit more than one attraction, staying at Somersal gives you a comfortable base from which to explore the region.