**Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka: A Journey Above the Clouds** Mount Ruapehu, located in Tongariro National Park, is one of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring natural landmarks. As the country’s largest active volcano, it offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, scenic beauty, and cultural significance. One of the best ways to experience this majestic peak is through the Sky Waka gondola, a world-class attraction that provides a breathtaking journey above the rugged alpine terrain. The Sky Waka, operating year-round, ascends high above the volcanic slopes, offering panoramic views of cascading waterfalls, ancient lava flows, and the sweeping expanse of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gondola’s large, comfortable cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to immerse yourself in the surrounding beauty, no matter the season. In winter, the gondola transports visitors to Whakapapa Ski Area, New Zealand’s premier skiing destination, while in summer, it provides access to hiking trails and the chance to explore the mountain’s unique volcanic features. At the summit, visitors can enjoy a meal or hot drink at the Knoll Ridge Chalet, one of the highest cafes in the country, while taking in the dramatic alpine views. Adding to the experience, the staff at Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka are known for their warmth and hospitality. They ensure a seamless and enjoyable adventure, sharing insights about the mountain’s geology, Māori cultural heritage, and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a nature lover, thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Mount Ruapehu and the Sky Waka gondola offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of New Zealand’s volcanic wonderland.

First climb Mt Ruapehu (2797 m) in winter, from the southern side (Toroa Ski Field). It was harder than I thought. The last 600 m is very steep, and the average slope angle is larger than 40 degrees. You must be fully equipped. When taking photos, you should be very careful as nowhere is flat (you must stick your ice axe deeply into snow and ice, use it as a post to stop your feet sliding). Unfortunately, I lost my phone near the peak somewhere.

The highest mountain on north island in NZ. Definitely a must visit as it is the spot for mort tourists. It's about 5 hours drive from Auckland. Make sure to travel on a sunny day to get the best views at the Peak. We visited the skiing section of the mountain. There are charges if you would like to go higher up the mountain for skiing or site seeing.

Always eager to see how much snow is on the mountain when we head past every month or so. The Desert Rd is straight in places & windy in others. Don't speed, you will more than likely get a ticket if you go over 100kph in a vehicle (90kph if you are towing something). First views of Ruapehu are when you head north from Taihape.

Even out of season it is worth going up the mountain for the views. I was in luck in that there had been an early snow storm the previous week, so even though it is May, and everything is shut up the mountain (Sky-Waka Gondola was shut on 26th April, to re-open Kings Birthday - maintenance etc - would have loved to of gone up), there was fresh snow up at the base, so my daughter who had not been to snow for 13 years could enjoy the experience. In season parking can be hard to find (have been up other times), and if conditions are bad it is 4x4 or with chains - or of course it can even be closed. Road conditions are posted on-line on the websites, and on Met Service - weather, when clicking on mountains, and Whakapapa Ski Field - it shows mountain conditions, road conditions etc. Useful to check, as the road had been closed just days before I went up. In season there is skiing of course, food and other services. Enjoy.

Worth the trip up to Whakapapa ski field for the views alone, some great walks along the way. Halfway between the village and ski field there is a large vehicle pull over area you ca get some great pics.

Visited long back- when was not even active in Google reviews. Found pics on a old harddrive- so here it is. had the opportunity to hike to the summit of Mount Ruapehu. The hike was challenging, but the views from the top were absolutely worth it. I could see for miles in all directions, and the scenery was simply breathtaking. also had the chance to go skiing at Mount Ruapehu. The ski fields are top-notch, and there is something for everyone, from beginners to experts. The views from the ski slopes are just as amazing as the views from the summit. Here are some additional tips for visiting Mount Ruapehu: Be sure to check the weather conditions before you go. Dress warmly. Bring plenty of food and water. Be aware of your surroundings. Respect the natural environment.

I am not a skier but members of my family are, Turoa can be a bit of a lottery according to them; sometimes there is snow, sometimes not and sometimes it can be quite icy. The general facilities are nothing special but not bad either with relatively simple cafeteria food at the base of the slopes. The slopes themselves, when the snowfall is decent allow for decent skiing.

We went here July 12 and they were close. We were still able to play with the snow! thank you for the free experience.❤️ We will definitely go back here

Not the best weather today but kids still had fun on the sleds, big thanks Herne (from Taranaki) for your excellent service at the sledding slope.

Amazing experience as a first timer! Cafes and facilities are great.

Beautiful place to visit with family especially during the winter snow season

A huge disappointment. We usually visit Whakapapa but decided to try Turoa this time, and the sledding was a letdown. The slope was too shallow, so you kept getting stuck, and there was no magic carpet (the conveyor belt lift) to take you back, so you had to walk the entire way, dragging the sled each time.

Had a lovely meal upstairs at Freddie’s cafe the other day. Took my young children skiing up the lifts and they’ve done a fantastic job pushing the snow to form tracks. A shame the weather isn’t playing ball but we had a great time regardless.

We went on Sunday afternoon with a big group of 15. It was quiet which was nice, the museum and aquarium was cool. There is lots to see while you walk around

Set in lovely Native bush setting includes an easy bush walk with views of rainbow trout in their natural settings. Very helpful staff, although I didn't go into the centre ($22 an adult) due to time constraints. Car park is locked at 4.00

Did the kids fishing package-$60 which was good fun and they prepped and smoked the small fish the kids caught which was tasty. $22 entry fee per adult however which I find overpriced as there isn't a huge amount to do here unless your watching your kids fish. Friendly staff.

Tongariro National Trout Centre is a worthwhile stop, especially for families with kids. It is located 3 km from Turangi town centre along the Tongariro River. It could also be a refreshing stop for nature lovers and curious minds as well. It offers a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand’s freshwater ecology, with native fish displays and a well-curated aquarium featuring species like Giant Kokopu and Koaro. The hatchery tour and museum provide insight into the history of trout fishing in the region, making it both educational and engaging. Kids especially love the fishing pond, where they can catch and even smoke their own rainbow trout, an experience that’s both memorable and delicious. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the riverside walk adds a peaceful touch to the visit.

The trout are numerous (like thousands!!). It's fun watching the kids fish and actually catch them with the instructors, natural setting, and BUY the fish food on entry. $5 per bag but what happens when you feed the wild trout is a lot of fun. We should have bought at least 3 bags (1 each). For fantastic photography and video, have one person feed the trout from the platform whilst another watches through underwater viewing area. They are HUGE and go crazy .... brilliant!!

Great place to bring the kids for a bit of education in aquatic life. It's not very big but you could easily spend an hour or so here. Highly recommend getting some fish feed - the trouts seem to love them. The aquarium section is small but filled with native fish which is nice to see. Definitely pay it a visit if you're around the area.

Went there for the school holiday program - fishing: from providing all the tools to smoking the fish for you It was great and the advice on fishing was easy to understand for kids. There were a few places to explore at the center as well. Would recommend spending 1-2 hours there

Nice place but doesn't open on time. We went there at 10 am but no one there.

Great place to visit learn about volcanic eruptions

Fantastic service, saved us over $500 in rental fares and found other transport options for us. Thank you very much for your help and can definitely recommend their service. :)

I called in for information on bike trails. Both ladies were helpful. I did the Marton Sash and door, which was recommended by 1 lady, and it was great. I would use again if I was down that way again.

Friendly helpful staff. Plenty of information available on local attractions. Some nice merchandise available. We did not do the Volcano Activity as it was a bit expensive for us.

I've been here asking information about shuttles to move within the area, and I may say the lady attending was not very nice. She seems to be annoyed because of my english accent (I'm not native speaker), no effort at all to understand. It seems more than 2 questions is too much for this lady, even if there was no other visitors around. Someone may speak with this lady to be more friendly with people who travel from thousands of kms away and don't know the area and how to move. Maybe she should learn any other language too, to understand why people have different accent when talking no native language.

Rude, patronising and unhelpful staff. Unsure whether it was our accent or young age that brought about her complete change in tone after pleasantly serving the two people before us.

A conversation with the Super helpful staff helped us make the best use of our time here. Tons of information on the history of the area presented in a museum like setting complete with a video presentation room. Clean, indoor toilet facilities. There is a large selection of topographical maps and literature available for purchase.

Friendly, helpful staff helped us plan the best day hikes in the park for the shifting weather conditions. Informative displays on the local wildlife and plants. Clean toilet facilities.

The visit centre have so many historic stories and they can give you so much help 👍

Amazing journey through beautiful landscapes all around us, and the destination being above all of them… that’s Ruapehu !

What a beautiful location and amazing visitors center, tons of helpful info for hikes and trails and volcanic information

The Staff at the centre are amazing! They gave solid advice for the northern circuit treck, after a days hiking in torrential rain & cold gale winds from waihohonu hut they gave me warmth & a place to change from my soggy mess. It was needed and appreciated, please don’t underestimate the weather. Seek advice. The centre is awesome, super informative with a lovely shop to buy some bits you may have forgot. Bravo 🙌 😘

Amazing views , highly recommend to explore .

I always come here when need a hot soak whether In the in the public pool (with family and friends) or in the private pools (when i want to get away from crowds) I always enjoy swimming in the Tokaanu hot pools, they have pools of varying heat 🥵 from warm to scalding hot 🔥 for everyone.

The private pool here is an amazing experience of natural hot springs — as if the earth itself is whispering warmth into your skin, wrapping you in a quiet, blissful embrace. ❤️

Great walk around the thermal area before a soak in a private pool. The infrastructure is a little dated, and the stoney pathway into the main pool was a bit sharp on bare feet.

The worst hot pools in New Zealand 💩 We bought 4 tickets to the private pool and paid 56$ for a room with a small pool and no shower. The place clearly needs a cleanup - there were hair and dirt in the water, and overall the place didn’t look clean. The staff didn’t tell us how much time we have, and there were no signs (including in the private pool room) how much time you can spend in the private pool. No clocks either - you MUST feel the time I guess. The announcement about the timing was absolutely unclear - we couldn’t understand a word. And when we are about to leave, a very rude lady knocked at the door and yelled at us that we are 20 mins over our time, and that people are waiting (why she didn’t come early or when our time was up??? - I have no idea). She was SO UNPROFESSIONAL! She requested me to leave the room now (I was almost naked and covered only with a towel) and change in my clothes in the toilet. I was almost kicked out of the room. That was the most terrible service I have ever had in New Zealand. I don’t recommend this place and never want to visit it again.

Arrived 4pm on a cold, overcast Friday, paid for a private pool. The staff are friendly  polite, and there were quite a few people coming for a swim/soak. Reception area looks inviting, well kept, tidy and modern. Would be good if they are able to freshen up the private pools as paint is peeling, and mirror tarnished so not visually appealing. Having said that, the price is relevant to condition of the private pool. We really enjoyed our soak. 25 minutes was perfect. Thanks

A beautiful spot beside the river, surrounded by mud pools and hot springs. Extremely friendly people and beautiful private pools filled with water heated naturally underground. Be sure to check out the easy little walk around the mud pools next door, and stretch out after a private soak in the main public pool. It's a little slice of Aotearoa's own heaven

Lovely staff, clean private pool, and beautiful walk nearby. 20 minutes was plenty, and the staff gave us a reminder over the loud speaker so it was easy to know when our time was up.

We visited this café both on our way to and from Napier during the Easter holiday — and absolutely loved it! Every dish and every coffee was spot on; our whole family agreed it was one of the best we’ve had. What truly touched us was the kindness of Steph — I left a pair of earphones on the table, and when I called, she immediately offered to deliver them back to our home in Auckland. After almost 20 years in New Zealand, I can say it’s really hard to lose something here — Kiwis are simply the kindest people. This café not only serves amazing food and coffee, but also has a lovely artistic vibe. A must-visit if you’re in Taupo!

Spent some time at here over the long weekend, such fun had by all! There was an amazing pop-up clothing stall on the front lawn and giveaways to celebrate their 20th anniversary - I was stoked to score a free L’arte puzzle 😃 We’ve certainly had the weather it, took me about 4 hours to complete ☔️🧩 I’ll see you soon, for my usual latte and caramel slice fix!

Lovely stop in Taupo! Everywhere you look around is some piece of art. The food available was delicious, simple and cheap.

One of our favourite spots in Taupō! The love and time put into L’Arte is evident as soon as you drive in the gates. It’s not just a place to grab a bite to eat, it’s a destination to spend an hour or two. We take all our visitors here and they always want to go back every time they come and stay. The mushrooms and eggs benny are my faves 🤤 the kids plate is a hit too. L’Arte is great for all ages - there is so much to take in with the gardens, sculptures, mosaic work and the gallery and it is dog friendly. L’Arte is definitely worth a visit if you are in Taupo, and I love that is off the beaten track, away from the hustle and bustle yet only about 8 mins away from town!

I visit L'Arte Cafe & Gallery several times a year and I'm always greeted like an old friend. The faces may have changed over the last 20 years but the friendly vibe remains. The cafe has a funky feel to it as energetic staff zip about, the aroma of coffee and delicious homemade food make the mouth water. Stunning gardens surround this little piece of paradise, zany pieces of art are mixed in with mosaics and hand made pottery made on site and the ladies in the gallery are only too happy to help. If you're looking for something special or different to the norm, you can't go past this outstanding destination.

Omg, went to Larte Café and Gallery yesterday – wow, what a treat! Hands down the best Eggs Benny I have ever had (big call, I know!). After breakfast, we wandered through the stunning gardens and discovered the beautiful Larte Gallery. Couldn’t resist… had to buy something! The staff in both the café and the gallery were absolutely incredible – friendly, helpful, and genuinely passionate about what they do. The gallery team went above and beyond; nothing was too much trouble. Well done, Larte team – you’ve created something truly special. Can’t wait to come back!

One of the most unique cafe and galleries to visit in all of New Zealand. Food is delicious, staff are very efficient and friendly and the ceramic work produced by hand on site is stunning. Go and see this place you will be amazed. The gift store has some super cool art, jewelry, bags, sunnies, you wont leave empty handed. The gardens are beautiful and you will love all the bright and unique garden art. The best spot to eat and do your Christmas shopping. Def put it on your to do list when in Taupo next.

Wonderful experience!! Went with my wife and 16 month old son, and he couldn't get enough!! Plenty of different animal to feed and pet for different levels. If you heed the cautions from the staff, there is no problem to be had. The ostrich and emu are the only ones to be more cautious of, as they have big beaks and aren't exactly gentle when you feed them, so can give you a fright when they accidentally grab your hand, but because they have no teeth I had no problem with it and they quickly let go!! Other than that a wonderful experience!

Absolutely loved my visit! Bev is so lovely, and all the animals are super friendly and obviously really well looked after. Just being around them is so relaxing and kind of therapeutic. If you’re passing through Taupo, it’s definitely worth stopping by. Had such a great time — I’ll definitely be back!

Lilliput Farm Park Taupo is great not only for families but also for animal lovers in general. The park provides the wonderful opportunity to look into the diversity of farm animals, offering both relaxation and interactive processes. Being allowed to feed and touch most of them, such as sheep, goats, and even pigs, may amuse kids and grownups alike. The staff is very friendly and informed, explaining a lot about the animals and the farm. You may feel, pet, and even hold a few species of lizards. All these interactive possibilities make it really something special to pay a visit there. Overall, Lilliput Taupō Animal Park provides an enjoyable and informative day out with many animal encounters set amongst beautiful and well-kept surroundings.

We love this place so much - and pretty much make sure we come here every time we're in Taupō (which is several times each year) - it's my son's favourite 'activity'/place to come to. It's such a beautiful environment, the animals are so well looked-after, and the owners are super-friendly, knowledgeable and down-to-earth. It's amazing to be able to feed all the animals and pat many of them; such a diverse and interesting array of animals too (from bearded dragons to donkeys, peacocks to ostriches...). Also has a great playground (including massive trampoline) for the kids, and picnic area (super family-friendly). I could not recommend this animal park enough <3 Thank you so much! :)

Absolutely amazing experience at Lilliput. Thank you so much Paul for showing us around and going above and beyond to make our time there one to remember. For those who are looking for a fun place to take the family, make sure to keep an eye out for Johnny the donkey, he has quite a character! 10/10 would recommend.

Such an amazing place! The staff is so lovely, kind and helpful. The animals all have personalities and are pretty gentle. Easy rules to follow for little ones. Lots of the nails like snacks and scratches. Loved it!

We had a lovely morning at the Animal farm. Five adults, and 4 kiddies. Beautiful property, great to be able to interact with the animals. Bev was a great host, friendly, and willing to share their journey with the business. Will definitely be back. Adore those 🫏

Hi! Had an amazing time with Adrift today! Thanks for having me! Our group was led by Stew and Kenny. It was very comforting to have both in our group as you could tell safety was always first and everything else was a close second. Kenny brought so much of his upbringing, culture and knowledge into the tour from beginning to end and you could tell he was extremely skilled at his craft and brought a lot of good energy wisdom and talent to the trek. Was so glad to be a part of his group. Stew was awesome as well — being a quiet yet essential group leader also, scouting and breaking trail ahead. Safety was always first and everything else was a close second. Everything else being fun, friendship, fellowship, and the freedom of the hills. I highly recommend Adrift without reservation. Thank you again and take care! Kia ora.

We had an incredible day hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with ADrift. Our guide, Kenni, was awesome, highly professional, and provided all kinds of insights, not only about the area we were walking through but also about Māori customs and culture. Stewart was also fabulous!! We were also lucky with the weather: ideal temperature, barely any clouds, and a glorious sunny day. Without a doubt, ADrift is a very professional company and one we would highly recommend.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is absolutely breathtaking, and doing it with Adrift made it even better. Our guide Kenny was incredible — not only a skilled tour guide but also one of two Māori park rangers. His deep knowledge of the land, stories about its cultural significance, and respect for the environment added a layer of meaning that made the hike truly special. Kenny kept us safe, supported, and inspired the whole way, while still making the day fun and memorable. From emerald lakes to volcanic craters, the views were unreal — and having a guide who connected us to both the landscape and its heritage was priceless. If you’re thinking of hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, I can’t recommend Adrift enough. And if you get Kenny as your guide, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.

Had a wonderful time hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and our guides (Kenny and Matt) were super supportive and provided lots of information and history on the area. As someone who has had experience hiking, I would recommend going with the guides as they will be able to direct anyone through the unpredictable weather conditions!

We were so happy to do the crossing on 15-10 with Adrift! If we would have done it ourselves (we doubded if we should) we wouldn't have made it over, cause of the quick changing weather at the moment. Even though we had a nice day (it was a window in time, cause it rained for 6 weeks), we got caught in a blizzard, but guides Kenny and Ty professionally led us through. There was still some snow on the track, which they provided gear for but we didn't end up using. Would definitely recommend to book with them! Unforgettable experience!

Awesome hike with a great guide. Though we didn’t need a guide to navigate the route, have a guide that could explain the culture significance and history made the day complete. The beauty of the hike is surreal.

Really glad we booked a tour through Adrift to do the Tongariro Crossing hike! The guides were super friendly, kept us on pace, gave tips for navigating different terrains, and shared neat stories and history of the landscapes. Highly recommend booking and buying the lunch as it makes the entire experience very convenient and the lunch is substantial with snacks to eat along the way.

What a course. Very hard but that’s great as every hole is a challenge. No 2 holes are similar . And everyone has the wow factor . The pro was so helpful and friendly which really enhanced the experience here .

Amazing course to play, gets you thinking and some tough greens. Thoroughly enjoyed my round recently! Although I am extremely taken back by the recent pricing increase for local/NZ residents, as a Kinloch local I am gutted this course is now well out of our price range and unfortunately won't be able to play again any time soon.

Tough greens is what I heard during our round here. The rest of the course was no easier btw. Beautiful however is the word to remember. Also remember, you have a day job. Golf is hard.

Absolutely the best course I’ve played in New Zealand. The price well worth the trip. Beautiful practice facilities. Played in the middle of winter and not a wet spot on any of the fairways. Greens were receptive and fast. Not a bump on them. Compared with the other big course down the road as all the complainers have done. Kinloch far better than Wairakei in course conditions.

It may looks like a links course but it is actually a mountain course. The high point of the course is the 10th tee with view to the lake. It is a very interesting and challenging layout. The greens are undulating and the fescues are difficult to get out of. I played on a relatively claim day and I imagine the course will be very difficult if the wind pick up. However, the course is simply stunning and many views are like paintings. Staff are very friendly and helpful. One suggestion I would make is the toilet and changing facilities are too small for such a prestigious golf club.

What a magnificent course. Kinloch is everything it promises and then some more. From the wonderful welcome and great advice from the pro in the morning, to the last putt on the 18th; this was memorable. Whilst I personally don’t believe it to be a links course, I thought that how the reminders of the sheep farm that once was here, were maintained and exceptionally well done, blending into the course aesthetics and often being the hazard itself. There cannot be better fairways in New Zealand, and if there are, I haven’t played them yet. The undulation makes club choices and positional play a high priority, and when you strayed, the semi rough was just long enough to create due consideration of your next shot. Straying further into the tussock rough, ensured severe punishment on the scorecard. The greens putted true and whilst not super slick, the contours and pin placement placed a high priority on confident putting. A genuine challenge, a world class course, tough and very enjoyable. Compliments to the Kinloch team. Till next time, when I come better prepared to meet the challenge.

Great little cafe with views of the golf course.

I’ve done trail rides in more than ten countries across five continents so trust me when I say this is one of the best rides with absolutely stunning scenery. Under Hone’s expert guidance, you’ll get to see pristine forests not otherwise accessible and experience a wide variety of terrains. Forget hiking, go for this ride!

The best experience of NZ we have had, if you want a day to challenge yourself and meet two of the nicest people come here!

Great experience

Awesome my daughter and I had an awesome day. Tu meke.

Absolutely beautiful nothing else.can get you that close to nature

(Translated by Google) Best experience ever. Fabulous guides, gorgeous family. Thank you Hone and Wai, I will be back 😁 Many thanks to you (Original) Best experience ever. Fabulous guides, gorgeous whanau. Thank you Hone and Wai, I will be back 😁 Ngā mihi nui ki a koe

Great experience. The whole set up is amazing. Everyone in staff so helpful and a great laugh. Will do again 5 days next time. It's fun playing submarines on the 50/50

It was amazing seeing all the nature the service was just amazing and if you do canoeing I say jump in on the last day .

We scheduled a booking for the Whanganui river. Karen was really helpful making the booking. Eventually, expectations of poor weather led to the need to reconsider. Karen gave really responsible advice and worked hard to ensure our trip could proceed safely. In the end, we were a bit concerned about our young daughters and our own inexperience. Karen was extremely helpful with the Canoe Hire AND the DOC cancellation. Unfortunately we didn't get to review the actual experience, but our customer service experience was worth a review. We're planning on rescheduling next summer. :)

Lovely family with kids and dogs really homey atmosphere. During the canoe debrief they made us coffees and homemade bread. We were very impressed! The canoe and all the equipment were in great condition and they picked us up right on time at the end of the trip to bring us back to our campervan. Thanks for the great experience guys, our arms are still sore from all that paddling! 🤣

Epic adventure. Team that sorted us out made sure we had all the info ahead of time, gave us some good training and gear and boats were super reliable. Home for a few days lol. As for the journey itself, the whole thing was just unreal, not what you ever really get to see. Alot of it was just flat paddling as the river was pretty low apparently. Some good rapids along the way that had some stress going for a minute but my partner and I managed to make it down without coming out of the boat once 😉 Highly reccomend.

These guys are great! Friendly service and they were even kind enough to invite our group for Christmas dinner when we arrived. Coffee was served on the day before we hit the water and chocolate muffins were waiting for us when we finished our journey! It’s the small things that count! I definitely recommend them!

Well organised canoe hire and transport company. Staff were knowledgeable and clearly had plenty of experience running the hire co plus knowledge of the river and weather forecast. Answered many a question I had leading up to the trip. All equipment in good nick and had everything we needed. On time and safety conscious, thorough briefing which helped us on the river! Error on my part, but they resolved a late notice accom date change easily and took the time to ensure all dates were correct. We stayed at theirs the night before we started the river trip. The top accom block has a king bed pvt room and 8 bunks, with 1 bthrm. I'd recommend this if it's still available. There's a larger toilet block near there which most of us didn't find until the next morning so hunt it out so there's no queueing for a toilet while someone is showering. The lower bunk rooms have power and sleep 8 in a room. Hopefully in time an additional shower block could be set up, we would've appreciated this for our size group even if we had to pay a bit more to stay to cover the cost. Portaloo down at the lower shed where you can pack and unpack your barrels are probably the worst smelling toilets I've come across in a long time. Didn't see staff to tell once I'd used it at the end of the trip, but could do with a clean and regular service! Otherwise, a great experience.

Loved our adventure in Taumaranui with the Forgotten World Adventures team for our Rail Trail River Combo! Lovely friendly people, well organised. Very knowledgeable and fun and interesting stories about the history of the railway line and the district. Yummy morning tea and lunch. Then a wonderful trip in the jetboat with Paul down the Whanganui river! What an awesome day!!!

Everything was well organized. All the staff were very friendly and helpfull. The food and cakes were excellent! Our tour leader Ray had a great knowledge of the area and it's people. He also a lovely sense of humor! We loved going through tunnels, over bridges and stay in Whangamomona. Paul who took us up the Whanganui river in the jet boat was a skilled driver who knows the river inside out. We even saw the blue ducks!! To top it off we went to Blue Duck station. An amazing place!! Thank you so much for the epic experience!! Thea Ris

It was bucket list tick, and worth it. The countryside I went through on the golf cart was soul soothing, just beautiful. The company was A1. There were a few unplanned events, they were handled so well. Action was decided promptly and the support for each other from the staff was wonderful to watch. Thankyou, I had a hoot.

A friend and I recently did the Republic 1 Forgotten World rail tour and I have to say it was one of the absolute best experiences of our lives!! We stayed the night at the Forgotten World Motel as we were traveling down from Auckland and though it is an older motel, it had everything we needed for a two night stay. But from the motel to the rail tour to the shuttle ride back at the end of the tour the most memorable thing was the staff, especially Awhi, who’s kind gesture made her an absolute legend in our eyes! Everyone was absolutely brilliant and accommodating in every way! I would strongly recommend this experience to not only international tourists, but also to kiwis alike! A great way to see farmland, countryside and native bush. But one piece of advice would be, take a warm jacket because those tunnels are chilly!

Excellent tour, we learnt so much of the history of the areas we visited, enjoyed the interaction with other tour members and the guides. We saw parts of New Zealand that we never knew existed and would not have visited except on this trip. The Guides were excellent, meals were tasty and Well prepared. We recommend this tour for all.

Had a great time on this tour! The experience itself was 5 stars, but I docked one because we got an email a few days before saying that our time had been moved much earlier. We showed up as instructed and nobody was there for about 1.5 hours and they notified us that the original time was correct and had no idea why the email was sent to us. Once we got going the full day experience was great, with a decent lunch and a good number of stops to tell us about the railway and old towns on the line. I would recommend it, but be careful with the start time.

Can definately recommend this trip, so well organised, wonderful friendly informative staff who genuinely cared about the history of the trail and all the small towns inbetween. Midges baking was delicious, the scenery, tunnels and history amazing. Definately dress for four seasons, all topped off by a stay overnight at the Whangamonoma Hotel. Can definately recommend paying the $120 to get your vechicle delivered to the hotel. It was a big day and we could relax knowing we didn’t have to rush back to Taumaranui to get our car.

A definite must do for all riding enthusiasts. Was our second time completing the trip over 2 days, and our party included first time riders. They loved it. With the ride being predominantly downhill it's possible for most fitness levels and beginner skills.

Great experience although I think you need to be clearer on the bike hire options. When I hired a 'Suspension Bike' it wasn't made clear that is just front suspension. I see now you reference the full suspension bike as 'FS'. For a first time user that needs to be clearer and I suffered on the bike ride because of it.

You couldn't ask for a better Kiwi experience. The mountain biking was at a good level that anyone with some experience could do it at their own pace. We used our E Bikes which made the up hills alot more fun. The first day was a little more technical but just take your time if unsure and the second day was easier riding with great long downhills and beautiful scenery. There is so much bird life we saw Kaka, Wood Pidgeon in big numbers. There are glow worms aplenty if you go exploring at night time in the Bush. The bridges are awe inspiring and there is even a small tunnel on the spiral. Prepare for all weather. Take a first aid kit just incase. But mostly it's just pure fun. Thanks to all the volunteers that keep the trails safe, if you could please fill in the Big dips on the second day haha almost had me over the handle bars and the blackberry on the last 4km needs cutting back. Xox

Another breathtaking part of New Zealand. Absolutely brilliant trail for running and cycling.

Wicked journey. So much to take in and enjoy. We had sunshine and rain and enjoyed both. The lodge in the middle is a welcome and restful place to enjoy time with others also. Shuttle drivers were awesome as well. Kia Ora to all involved.

Fantastic spot. Stayed at Piropiro Campsite and did the 6kms to Maramataha Suspension Bridge and back on an off-road electric scooter, about 1.5 hours return. The track runs along the road for a small way at the beginning. But it quickly enters bush and the safety and quietness of the forest. The track is a mix of smooth compact dirt and larger stones, with lots of ruts and bumps to navigate. Note - the best place to park is actually further along Piropiro Road at Maramataha Carpark. Head southwest at the intersection. Continue past Camp Epic for about 500 metres.

A must-do for trail enthusiasts. I'm definitely doing this one again! Beautiful sights, great trails. I did the trail over 2 days with mates, camping overnight. Highly recommend the experience.

We started off with a shuttle service from Camp Epic (apologies we were late who would of thought we would get fogged in, held up by road works heading into Ongarue, then on the final 1 way bridge we gave way to a huge truck with forestry machinery - then Paul rang to check on us) we met a great bunch of adventure seekers, stayed at Camp Epic which was fantastic, we also got to chat with Bill Holloway (No.1 track extraordinaire track maker) on his Kubota tractor on the 2nd day. This would have to be New Zealand's top mountain bike trail ride that caters to all fitness levels (we did it on ebikes - thankfully) the scenery is breath taking, the constant chatter of bird life was exceptional, the trails are maintained up to a high level and in top condition. To learn about the timber pioneers, their families & machinery through to the tramways that bought the timber out, the suspension bridges are a marvel to behold especially when you look down and see the remnants of the timber bridges that held trams with logs what clever clever people. The work that has gone into these trails is exceptional with a story to be told all through the ride which gives a deep appreciation of the hard yakka of the timber workers, what a tough life! We came away in awe of those that have created a visionary story that we could enjoy - a simple 'thankyou' does not seem to suffice but THANKYOU!

One of the most scenic cycle trails in the North Island. We done the first 20 km from Pureora.

We had the most excellent experience with Paul and the team. Great communication and local knowledge. Lots of tips to look for and enjoy along the trail (something we found, other groups didnt know about) Even rode up to meet us for lunch in the sun on day 2. Fantastic camp facilities. Loved the huge camp kitchen, fire and hot showers. Very grateful from a group of novice cycling adventurers, for enabling us to make the most of our trip and come away smiling and happy

All very straightforward. Park up, meet the team, grab your helmet and then be transported to the start of the ride. Great introduction from Paul to the area on the way and after a simple briefing you are into the forest. The route is clearly marked and straightforward although a bit of skill is needed from time to time. The eagerness to cross the ’swing’ bridges varied between our riders! However, the views are spectacular. Camp Epic is epic. Great facility, allegedly the best outdoor showers in New Zealand. The second day is mostly on the disused railway lines from the timber days but is no less interesting.

This cycle trip is an absolute must for everybody young or old. You can take your time. You can go fast. You can enjoy the scenery or just rip through the wonderful big bridges.!!! 100 %, the best thing to do in NZ, North Island. Accommodation was great, and the showers were the best at the end of the day !

I arranged a group of 18 fellow cyclist to bike the Timber Trail. We used Paul and his team from Epic journeys. The whole experience was wonderful. From booking to participation. They certainly run a well oiled cog from start to finish. Super organised great communication. Glamping facilities were excellent. Comfortable beds. High pressure showers. Generator to allow all bike batteries to be charged up ready for day two. Fabulous breakfast. Top notch smooth shuttle service. Thanks team Epic. You are Epic. Regards Debbie on behalf of Hutt Valley Tramping club

The day started in glorious sunshine with my wife and I heading up on the shuttle with Epic Adventures from the Bennett Rd pickup in Ongarue. We chatted all the way to Piropiro, the half way point on the trail where Epic Adventures had set up a permanent Glamping Site for those doing the 2 day ride. The site was awesome, wanting for nothing. We being a little time pour chose the 1 day half distance option from Piropiro. We’ll once on our e-bikes which make hills fun and downhills exhilarating we proceeded down a well makes and signposted trail. The work done to rebuild the trails and tracks let alone the numerous bridges and suspension bridges from days of old timber transporting routes is brilliant. Lots of stop points with details to educated you on what had actually occurred. The whole ride was relatively easy, especially with an e-bike with the first climb and downhill at low Grade 3 and the rest at Grade 2. This ride is an excellent start to your trail riding future throughout the North Island of New Zealand. Thank you to Epic Adventures and Department of Conservation for making this possible.

We have just returned from an Epic weekend at Camp Epic! Paul and sons Josh and Julius looked after our 2 families so well- from arrival, to shuttle there, overnight accommodation and helping with mechanical issue to load our bikes on trailer at the end. The camp has warm beds (for October weather) , the tents stayed dry despite the rain, the showers were hot and powerful- blissful after a long day of cycling. Thanks Camp Epic :)

Simply the best experience ever with these guys! We booked our Timber Trail experience with Paul from Epic via email and phone. He was so helpful and easy to deal with. We booked bike hire and camping at Epic campground on route. The bikes were awesome. The service from the first email was great. Staying at the campground is an absolute must - hot showers, clean loos, huge log burning fire with sofa and as much wood as you could ever need. Kitchen facilities were perfect. We can’t think of anything else this group could have done to make the experience better. Even the price was so reasonable compared to the other companies advertising. Well done and a massive thumbs up!!!!!

Absolutely worth the drive if you have time. The road in is in pretty good condition including tunnels, wash outs, some unsealed, cows sitting in the middle of the road sunning themselves, rockfalls, and the odd friendly farmer or two and that is before you even get to the Falls. Don’t be put off I drive a very low, two wheel drive, towny car and it was no problem at all. Although, I will now have to clean the car and the farmer was very surprised we drove in 😂😂😂.

Short lil walk with less than 20 steps. You start by walking through someones farmland, which was real pretty. After crossing a smal bridge you enter a beautiful forest. Total walk took us 15 minutes, so 30 return.

Amazing views. The longer 7 hr walking track is overgrown so it's not really possible to walk even just a little way along. But the track to the waterfall is relatively easy, but has a bunch of stairs closer to the falls

MT Damper falls glory lies in the amount or rainfall she gets. When we went there, there was less water. You can view the Falls from the lookout. There is no track to go right down to the base to see the falls. We loved the rock formation around the waterfall. There is also another waterfall on the left when returning from Mt Damper Falls. However, there was no water. We just went to Mt Damper falls but next time will want to continue to the other falls. The track is all good. Not steep but bearable. There is a car park and you can not miss the turn off. You will encounter sheep along the track but do not worry, they will run off. We were traveling to Kaponga from Auckland. You do not have to return the same way but continue on the same route and you will come out in stratford. Be prepared to drive on gravel road. It was not too bad when we did this. This is no fee to visit Damper falls.

an absolute geological wonder - clay cliffs continually eroded by water provide this massive dome-like spectacle, truely an awe-inspiring sight to see. navigation of SH 43 can be tricky - sign is small and reception is patchy. would recommend a paper map just incase. the other smaller waterfall off to the right of the track is slippery in winter, so take care.

The walk to the waterfall was beautiful, the waterfall itself is just average. Not sure if it's worth the travel time.

A good break on the shortcut route from New Plymouth to the National Park. It's an easy 12-min walk from the intersection/parking area to the upper lookout via a private sheep farm.

We recently completed a knife-making course at Kowhai Forge, and I can't recommend it enough! The experience was outstanding; from start to finish. Rob and James are incredibly knowledgeable and skillful, guiding us through each step with patience and expertise. The hands-on instruction made it both educational and fun. On top of that, the food provided was fantastic, adding to the overall enjoyment of the day. If you're looking for a unique and rewarding experience, Kowhai Forge is the place to go!

What a gem of a find while travelling NZ North Island, Rob, and his team are amazing hosts. Their knowledge is second to none. They help you throughout the whole knife making process. The day is well worth it. We love our knives (hunting and kitchen knife), lunch and morning tea is very good Thankyou Rob, James and Sam for making our day special.

Wow 👌. Today far exceeded my expectations. Rob,James, and Samuel were there to help with any issues. Their combined knowledge is amazing and guaranteed that you won't be disappointed attending the workshop. I travelled all the way from Australia 🇦🇺. The food was amazing just to top off the day. And I walked away with an amazing knife which will well and truly outlast me...

Big shout out to Rob and James, as completed Kowhai's large knife course, it was a fantastic day out and absolutely love my finished product. Throughly recommend it to any one looking at wanting a memorable usable creation for the kitchen. Thanks again!

The axe-making course at Kowhai Forge was such a fun, unique, and cool experience! Rob and James were incredibly professional and shared a lot of fascinating blacksmithing knowledge throughout the session. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn something new, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and take home an useful and awesome souvenir!

I took my 16yo son the the forge for a day of axe making and dad/son bonding. The forge is located at the top of a hill in rural Waikato, the location is fantastic. The forge it's self is as authentic as it gets, Rob and his small team ensured we were well looked after with a great lunch and plenty of well guided hands on blacksmithing. My axe turned out great and is so much more than an ornament.... it a functional axe that I'll use for many years to come. I'm really keen to return to the forge and have a go at making a knife or cleaver. A ten outta ten experience.

A great birthday present and excellent hands on day spent crafting a beautiful and practical knife each. It’s always amazing to watch a master of any craft at work, yet to be fully involved in the process was epic. The unexpected icing on the cake was getting to learn about and witness this impressive art from such skilled and passionate people - Rob and James eat and breathe blacksmithing!

What an amazing place. We were recommended by a friend to call in here on our way down to the Naki. He and his partner always get berries here. He was 100% correct to do so. Some of the best berries I've had, their black berries are a personal favourite. Gonna pick some more up on the way bag home. Really well priced as well.

A real treasure once they're open again, seasonal fruit, ice cream and frozen yogurt, this is the perfect way to break up a SH3 drive between Auckland/Hamilton and New Plymouth. Nice outside space to stop and relax for a while.

Excellent muffin mix berries and smoothie “smoo” ✨

Overall it is a good place to stop, but one of my friends said they had less berries in her ice cream compared to other berries ice cream shop as her personal opinion

Theeee freshest and sweetest fruit I've ever tasted! The punnets are so good value considering the high quality and freshness of the berry's. We live a hour away and are returning customers now! Ice creams are super delicious. The shop itself is very clean and well maintained which is another reason we keep coming back!! Absolutely a big must to stop if your ever passing by you will not regret if you love fresh fruit. This is no where near compared to supermarket berry's either this is top tier 💯💥

Great pitstop, especially in summers, to quench your thirst with some of these natural cold treats. Had lots of outdoor shaded/non-shaded seating and clean toilets. They have ice creams/frozen yogurt for $5 or $4 for kids cone- 50¢ for waffle cone (Blueberry, raspberry, strawberry or mix berry) or smoothies a bit steep for $8.5 (Smoo, buzz and berry). They even sell all berries in small and large boxes and muffins and coffee as well. Both ice cream and smoothies we're great and must recommended if passing through.

Good little stop on the way to Taranaki. The frozen yoghurt waffle cone was good, and the kids liked the fruits that were on sale at the shop.

Judy is absolutely lovely, very helpfull and went over and beyond expectation. Allowed us to cut some lavender sprigs and then didn't want to charge us for it! Good lavender related gifts selection in the shop. Going back this week to try her coffee!! :)

We visited this super cute farm run by a lovely couple and tried their amazing lavender ice cream. We got there around 2pm and didn’t have to wait in line at all. The best part? It was only $10 per car to get in, such a great deal!

Although we went off season, which didn’t cost anything at all, there were a bit of flowers still in bloom. Owners were super friendly and nice, explaining all the varieties of lavenders. Many lavender products at reasonable price. Both the lavender and honey with lavender infused ice creams were good.

Lovely place. Hidden gem. Uncle was a great person to talk. Authentic New Zealand village experience. Small shop with natural products. Lots of vegetables cultivation too including potatoes, lemon and more.

Amazing "lavender-everything" shop, super friendly and enthusiastic owner. We got there just as the lavender was going over but it was a great little place to stumble on along our drive. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

Cute and bucolic locally-owned farm. The honey lavender ice cream was really good. The owner was sweet and there’s a gift shop with a lot of lavender items like soap, hand cream, lavender honey, and essential oils. You can roam the property and take photos.

Such a lovely place! the drive here was so beautiful and the place itself is stunning. The owners were so lovely, showed me around and chatted in the shop for a while and even showed me some recommendations!

I can really recommend the Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tour. our group had just four adults, which made it feel very relaxed and special. Unlike the more touristic caves, we were actually allowed to take our own photos here, which was great. Our guide was local and super knowledgeable. His father had already explored these caves, and their family helped make sure the caves were not turned into a mine. That makes the whole experience feel even more special. There are two caves to explore, one wet and one dry, and both are amazing in their own way. Even the short walk from the van to the cave is beautiful and totally worth it. At the end of the tour our guide also shared us his best pictures, even one taken from his front door. Overall, it was an authentic and unforgettable tour. Highly recommended!

Highly recommended! The best glowworm cave we have ever visited. We have seen glowworms in a few different locations before in Australia. However, the tour with Spellbound truly exceeded our expectations. The boat ride was amazing, and we were allowed to take photos with a very specific setting and without the flash; then everyone put their cameras away, just to enjoy the magnificent 'sky full of stars'!! It was truly magical🤩🤩🤩. Thanks to our very kind and knowledgeable tour guide Ross!🥰

Spellbound is the perfect name for this amazing tour. Five star from start to finish. Huge thanks to Dave our guide who was friendly, professional and patient, explaining so much and entertaining us with his great knowledge and enthusiasm. The Glow worms were incredible as were the caves and fantastic boat ride. An absolute highlight of our holiday. Thanks to all concerned 😊

Visited Spellbound Glowworm Caves in September 2025 and it was one of the most enchanting experiences of our trip! Unlike the larger Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Spellbound offers a smaller, more personal tour with fewer people, which made it feel truly special and peaceful. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about the caves and their history. The highlight was the boat ride through the glowworm cave. Drifting silently beneath thousands of glowing blue lights was absolutely magical , it felt like floating under a starry sky deep underground. The glowworms were bright, plentiful and close enough to really appreciate their beauty. We also explored a second cave filled with incredible limestone formations, stalactites and fossils, making the experience even more fascinating. Everything was well-organized, from the van transfer to the safety instructions. The pace was relaxed, giving us time to take in the surroundings and ask questions. Visiting in early spring was perfect, cool, comfortable weather and fewer crowds. Spellbound truly lives up to its name, it’s mesmerizing, intimateand unforgettable. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a more immersive and peaceful glowworm cave experience in the Waitomo area. A definite highlight of our New Zealand adventure!

An unexpected tour cancellation leads to an incredible adventure! Facing a last minute tour cancellation by another tour operator, we sought out an alternate Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour. Expedigo Tours and Transfers were prompt in replying to our message and answering all of our questions about what the tour covered, the costs, and availability. We were met the next morning by Matt who did an excellent job as our guide throughout the day providing info on the area and making a couple of special stops along the way - no spoilers here! Our Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour took place at Spellbound - a charming private farm with acres of rolling green hills and photographic farm animals in addition to some of the most exceptional glowworm caves. Ross took over as our cave guide and his knowledge of the glowworm caves, their formation, the topography of the region, and the importance of the caves existence was impressive. The tour first includes a walk above ground to see how the underground caves impact the land above, then you explore an active glowworm cave on foot to see glowworms up close. Next you board a boat for a long ride through the caverns - first time through you can take all the photos and videos you want (Ross helped everyone set up their cameras/phones to the best settings!) and the second time through (yes, you get TWO rides!) all devices are put away and you are left to nothing but your eyes and ears to experience the true magic of the experience - the glow of the lights, the sound of rushing water, the soft drops of water that periodically surprise you, and the slight breeze that pushes you through the caves. A truly magical experience! After a quick tea break, you will learn about local animals that lived in the area and then set off to explore another cave system. Spellbound gives you multiple ways to experience the glowworms, the caves, and the area and the small group size is perfect so you are never crowded or rushed. Expedigo did not disappoint in booking us on a tour that we will never forget!

Please book your glow worm experience with Spellbound! It was absolutely perfect. The area is beautiful. Doug was a fantastic tour guide. Pictures and words do not do this tour justice. You can take as many photos as you like here. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

This tour was a surprise by a good friend. I had no idea what to expect but I can say I was in awe. Seeing all those thousands and thousands of glowworms was incredible. But I guess that was to be expected. What did stand out was though was everything else on the tour. The short bus ride and walk to the cave all accompanied by explanations about the area, flora etc. That we got pictures taken of each individual couple in the cave. The short break with tea and cookies. Yet another cave tour explaining more about how the holes (tomo) form etc. And most importantly our tour guide Ross who was nothing short than amazing. Me and my friend instantly felt welcome and listening to him and his stories and explanations was a huge pleasure. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour. Not just for the glowworms but for the whole package!

We had a great day with these guys, our guide Emrys was really nice, knowledgeable, ensured safety but also allowed us freedom and fun. We did the 4 hour trip, abseiling, black water rafting, caving and rock climbing. We were a group of just 6 (which I believe is the largest group they allow) and this was great as much smaller than the big tour company groups which meant a more personal experience and more time in the caves with the Glowworms as not having to wait around for loads of people to complete the abseil etc. before doing the trip I was worried that we weren’t going into the more famous cave but this was unnecessary worry as we had so much time in the caves with the glowworms and the caves were covered in them! Back in 2008 when I was lay in NZ I did this trip with one of the ‘big’ companies, and I loved it, but this experience was better and this is hugely down to the smaller group size. Would definitely recommend.

A really amazing adventure experience with a great guide, Liz. It starts with some very clear instructions and practice on how to abseil. Then it was abseiling into the cave, 30 meters down. It's a little scary at first but completely fine once you know your weight is supported and you're not going to fall! Then tube upstream through the cave to see the glow worms which were amazing. Tube back downstream for more thrills. Rock climb back out of the cave. We were given a snack to eat down in the cave which was a nice treat to warm up! Plus squeezing through two rock formations which was fun! The price was excellent for all the activities. We were deciding on whether to go and see any of the other caves around this area - having had such a cool and awesome cave and glow worm experience here. If you want the beauty of a limestone cave then you definitely must see Ruakuri cave as well as doing this adventure! Lots of photos were taken by our guide which was included in the tour price, so that was a pretty cool bonus for the memories. Overall: Highly recommended!!

We had an amazing tour with Tim in the morning. He did a great job explaining us all about the geology of the caves, the animals which live inside and of course the adventures we came across. We loved the moment the glowworms start to shine. He made us feel safe at every moment but at the same time like little cave-explorers. Well worth the money!!

Wow what An amazing tour! This is easily the most inclusive and action packed black water cave rafting tour in the region. 4-5 hours of absailing, rock climbing, black water rafting and cave exploration. Our guide Kat was exceptional and very experienced in caving, she was a treat and made a fun day very special! This adventure tourist would recommend to anyone! A+++

Really nice and adventurous experience for me. Totally love it and recommend! Almost 4 hours down in the caves, thousands of Glowworms, absolutely fantastic guide (Krys) with sense of humour 👍thank you for perfect day.

Just a seriously incredible tour with Will. The light beams streaming through the canopy into the canyon, the glow worms reflecting off the cavern waters, the black water rafting through the caves - all were truly magical. We cannot recommend Kiwi Cave Rafting enough!

I went on this experience on the 11th April and absolutely loved it! I got out of my comfort zone and faced my fear of heights through completing some abseiling and climbing. Our guide Kat was amazing and so knowledgeable about lots of history aspects of the cave and about the glowworms. She made me feel at ease and less afraid to complete each task while always having a smile on her face! I would 100% recommend anybody to do this, doesn’t matter how fit you are!

Simply amazing. Such a fun way to go caving and what an amazing experience seeing the glow worms in the caves via the river. Floating is fun. The rapids are awesome but the tour guides made the trip. Chicago was heath and safety on the trip but gave great chat and was really nice. Locky fresh outta high school was knowledgeable and a great guide for a virgin.

This was easily one of the coolest things I have ever done. Crawling through caves, floating down underground rivers, jumping backwards off waterfalls, and then drifting under a ceiling of glowworms that looks like a galaxy… absolutely unreal. The guides were fun, safe, and very supportive the entire time. The wetsuits kept us warm and the whole experience felt like a full adventure from beginning to end. 10/10... A true bucket list experience you can only find in New Zealand. Do not miss it.

Absolutely amazing experience, we did the 5 hour black abyss tour. I was worried about the time but it went by quickly. Highly recommend it, it is a little physical but manageable. Our guides were amazing. Aaron and Harry were fun and hilarious Aaron was a ball of energy like I have never seen before and it made it a fun adventure. We got to rappel down to the cave, jump into a underground river, float around, see glow worms, and climb up some water falls to the exit. Absolutely must do when visiting.

Had a great time on the Abyss tour with our guides Kallie (sorry, might be spelling wrong) and Aaron! The tour involves absailing into the cave, a short zipline, black water rafting in cold water, as well as walking through lots of cold water (the wetsuits help, of course!) You get to see lots of glowworms, it's so cool! If you're looking for an intense and awesome experience, I would recommend the Abyss tour!

Myself and 4 teenagers (aged 13-15) went on this adventure and had an unforgettable time. Our guides were amazing, check in staff were friendly. One of the best experiences you can do in New Zealand. Thanks for having us.

Thank you to Alex, Leo and Owen, our magnificent fun guides on the adventure of a lifetime at The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Company in New Zealand … We were expertly and safely guided and entertained on journey down under, into the dark mysteries of Earth, back in time surrounded by 35,000 year old limestone caves which were magical ally lit by glow worms guiding us as we floated on tyre tubes down Blackwater streams looking up at what looked like a glow worm lit Milky Way above our heads … Sublime, Devine Adventure

The tour guides are amazing! It's hard to add much to the incredible experience you will receive from the caves themselves, but the tour guides managed to make this tour perfect! My 2 friends and I did a 3pm Black Water tour on a Thursday. I wish I had caught the name of the guides, but the red head lady, the bearded man, and the short haired aussie are awesome!! 10/10 would do again. Book this tour!

Dave is doing an awesome job keeping this amazing place running with almost all of his earnings. He is a true legend and he is living his dream making others dream. Loved this place and recommend all the people to visit this place that has a lot of knowledge and the virtual reality is great.

This was absolutely fabulous! We have all been raving about how fun an experience we all had - I honestly cannot recommend highly enough. Was a great experience for adults and kids alike. Dave has done a truly awesome job of curating a space that is incredibly kid friendly and super interactive plus interesting for the adults too! Costs $12 per adult, $8 per child and free for under 3 - so cheap and so worth it plus includes a cool VR experience too. We spent about an hour and a half here and honestly could have spent longer. Definitely pop in, you won’t regret it!

What an incredible accident treasure we happened upon after missing our turn off. Loved all the space info and the amount of live screens with data blew our minds. We were even lucky enough to be able to look through a sun telescope and see sun flares. Totally recommended

After months of encouragement/pestering from my 7 year old space mad boy we decided to come here as a family ( he had been before and had always wanted come back with the rest us to show us around). It may not be as fancy as some museums but you can tell it has been put together with a lot of passion and imagination. There is a huge amount of relevant information that is really well laid out and easy to follow, which is an aspect that has been overlooked in many museums I have been to. There is also a lot of interactive screens, interesting space memorabilia and a huge array of space books (as a mechanic I fell in love with the collection of Haynes Manuals on the space equipment, I could have read them for days) The VR show is really well done and is a must do also. I loved the fact that there is a lot geared towards kids including the opportunity to earn badges for doing quizzes and other trivial type worksheets. Great way to spend a few hours with the kids if they are into space and a great place for adults to expand their knowledge and their minds. Really enjoyed this place and we will return. Booking in online isn't necessary but it is appreciated if you do.

We had a fantastic day here, stayed for about two and a half hours. There is so much to do we could have easily stayed longer!! Will definitely be back, thanks Dave for sharing all your knowledge with us!!

Amazing place to visit, great service. Was a parent helper for a group of young primary school kids, really enjoyed and explored so much. Virtual reality was a breathtaking experience.

Such an awsome experience the VR headsets and the Lego displays were our favourite part. Highly recommend if you have children who are into learning about space.

I did the 4-hour Lost World tour, and it was honestly one of the best experiences ever! The 100m abseil was absolutely wild and when you land inside the cave, it feels like stepping into a scene from Kong vs Godzilla if u ever watched it, so epic! The reception staff were super friendly, and our guides Shaun and Joel were just awesome — couldn’t have asked for better! If u visit waitomo this is a must visit.

Best adventure ever! My 13 year old son and I had the most incredible afternoon completing the half day tour (we will be back for the full day without question). A must do!! We also did the blackwater rafting and this was our favourite activity hands down. Huge thanks to the guides who made the experience incredible!

This was one of the most thrilling and exciting experiences I’ve ever had! The 100-metre abseil down into the cave was absolutely breathtaking. I joined the 4-hour trip — it was very safe, and the instructors were fantastic and made everyone feel well taken care of. Highly recommended!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Luke and Shaun were our guides today, and they were absolutely amazing! They took safety super seriously, but still kept the whole vibe relaxed and fun so we could enjoy every moment. Luke took great care of me and was super supportive throughout the rope descent, and during the walk Shaun took the time to explain everything and share his knowledge about the cave. My photos look the same as everyone else’s, but I’ll leave a little footprint for Stark the eel ✨

The Lost World Half day tour was absolutely incredible. One of my best travel experiences ever! Joel and Erin our guides were just fantastic. I felt really nervous before the abseil down but they were both so calm and reassuring I felt really at ease the whole time. It’s such a unique way to see the glow caves. The 30m ladder climb at the end was a bit brutal on the hands so would recommend taking some gloves with you. Other than that they give you everything you need and really look after you. Thanks for an amazing experience!

An unforgettable experience, made perfect by our guides Joel and Shaun. Their expertise and great humour made the entire tour. Absolute legends!Amazing photoes and videos!!Perfect weather,perfect cave,perfect guides!!!!

I did both the Haggas Honking Holes in the morning and the Lost World Half-Day Adventure in the afternoon, and both were absolutely incredible experiences. Nick was really helpful and easy to coordinate with, and my guides Joel and Hagan were fantastic - knowledgeable, fun, and clearly experienced, which made the tours even better. Everything ran smoothly, felt adventurous but safe, and was just a great time overall. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to more of mine!

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with a tour group, and I wanted to share my experience. While it may be a bit of a journey from downtown Auckland, the adventure truly felt worthwhile. Before entering the cave, a photographer captures special moments for souvenirs. They do this because photography inside the cave is not permitted, primarily to protect the delicate habitat of the glowworms. It also helps support the local economy through tourism. I have to admit, the photos can sometimes be a little cheesy, but there’s no pressure to buy them. Once inside the cave, our guide warmly explained the importance of not touching the rock formations, as this could harm the unique ecosystem surrounding the glowworms. When the lights went off, the sight was nothing short of magical—glowworms twinkled like stars above us, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The walk was about 800 meters, so wearing comfortable, non-slip shoes is essential, especially since the ground can be quite slippery. At the end of the tour, we boarded a boat to exit the cave, and we were kindly reminded to keep our voices low to preserve the peaceful ambiance. As we emerged from the cave, a gift shop awaited us, which was a nice way to wrap up the visit. I found a lovely Christmas ornament there, and the prices were quite reasonable. Additionally, you can retrieve the photo taken before the tour, which is a nice touch. Overall, I found the experience to be quite fascinating and uplifting, connecting with such a unique aspect of nature.

An awe inspiring experience. Impressed with the professional moving deliverance of the presentation our guide Shawnee shared with us all. She connected well with international and local visitors with her humour, warmth and knowledge. As soon as it ended we wanted to go through again....in case we had missed something. We didn't want it to end.

Fantastic experience, great activity to do with the whole family, the cave and the river are beyond expectations and all the scenery walks around are something everyone should do at least once. Guides were super friendly and knowledgeable the place is super clean and they have everything to make it a lifetime experience. Thank you.

Good tour of the cave with Taylor who took us through the history and culture. No photos or video allowed until the very end due to respecting culture. The cave before the glow worm section is very ornate and interesting but it’s the glow worms that everyone comes to see. It was fascinating to see the worms and the light that they omit but the publicity photos do kind of over estimate the brightness of the glow. That’s said we enjoyed it. The boat handling via a series of ropes takes some doing. It does get busy so recommend booking tickets in advance if you can. Cafe, restaurant, parking and the obligatory gift shop as well.

Great set up. Interesting guides. Large cafe and gift shop. Parking down a huge slope! We did walking and boat tour to see the glow worms. Loved it but had manage so many stairs in the almost dark.

This is by far one of the best and most unique excursions that we have done during our various travels. The guides were all very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour. We were a little nervous about the water being too cold but you are in so many layers, including an optional fleece under your wetsuit, that you dont even notice! Definitely a must do while on the North Island.

When on holidays I make it a point to visit caves, as such I've seen heaps. As far as formations go, I can only remember one that had less to offer. Then there are the few minutes that you're under the glow worm ceiling. And for that the cave would deserve 3 stars, maybe 4 on a generous day. BUT. The experience is way overpriced, I have visited 5+ star caves for half the entrance fee. The guide was unmotivated and didn't even try to hide it. The caves are overcrowded. They are pretty short and with a tour starting every 10 minutes you can basically see and hear the tour in front and behind you. Outside the actual tour. The toilets were disgusting. The restaurant terrible, I can honestly say it was the worst meal I had during my 4 weeks in NZ. And by the way the photos you see online and in the brochures are not what you will see.

Better than Hobbiton? No. Just as good? Absolutely! You’d be crazy not to do both tours. We were never rushed — it was detailed, immersive, and so full of passion. It didn’t feel scripted at all; you could really feel the genuine love and enthusiasm throughout the entire experience.

We (2 adults, 2 kids) stumbled across the Hairy Feet Tour near Waitomo completely by chance, and we’re so grateful we did — it was absolutely amazing. The moment we arrived, the beauty of the place swept us away. We were warmly welcomed in the tour office, which is decorated with so much love and detail that you instantly feel the passion for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. The tour itself was a one-of-a-kind experience unlike anything we’ve done before. Suzie guided our small group of eight across her family farm, where many scenes from The Hobbit and the Rings of Power series were filmed. But even without the movie magic, the landscape is breathtaking. We also learned a lot about the rock formations and local plants. Suzie led the tour with so much enthusiasm and attention to detail that we honestly didn’t want it to end. She shared wonderful stories about the farm and the filming process, and we were amazed the whole time. You can truly feel how much she loves the movies, and she took plenty of time to help us get great photos. We’re incredibly thankful and happy that we discovered this special place, and we wish every traveler could have this experience. For all the effort and the wonderful tour, the price is more than fair. Fantastic — simply outstanding!

We absolutely loved visiting Hairy Feet Waitomo! Suzie and Warrick were both excellent hosts! Suzie was our guide and she was very knowledgeable about the area and it was so cool to see their family’s farm and film locations. This location is stunning and the views are incredible. You can tell that she’s a huge fan too! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful property with LOTR/Hobbit fans!

A magical experience - truly the heart of the Hobbit! This tour was absolutely incredible - easily a 12/10. Suzie is one of the warmest and most genuine guides we've ever met. She brought every Hobbit filming location to life with so much passion, humor and insider knowledge, and shared beautiful stories about what it was like when the production team was on the farm. On top of that, she gave us wonderful insights into the land, the animals, the native plants and the history of the area. You can feel her deep connection to this place in every moment. It made the whole experience unforgettable. We recommend this tour to absolutely anyone - even if you're not a Hobbit fan. It's pure magic. Warm greetings from the German couple with the Maui campervan who wanted to stay overnight 😇 - Vivian & Thomas

THE tour for Tolkien nerds. Susan who runs it is knowledgeable and entertaining. Of all the tours , this one stood out. Totally worth it! It's also just beautiful, so non Tolkien fans would also have a good time for the views.

Beautifull location where you can learn a lot about how the Hobbit is filmed. The people of the farm are really enthusiastic and warm.

This tour was a major highlight of our trip to New Zealand! Suzie was an amazing guide! You know she’s given this tour a million times, but she treats it like the first time. She was so enthusiastic and engaging. She had great stories about the filming process and such fun behind the scenes insider knowledge. She even took the time to take individual photos of everyone in our group reenacting many of the scenes from The Hobbit. The attention to detail in the tour was incredible. Suzie had printouts of the various scenes from the films and even had props hidden around the grounds for photo ops. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you must do this tour! And even if you’re not a fan, it’s worth it just to see the amazing landscapes. Highly, highly recommend!

Our guide today (08/04/25) at 9am was excellent (sorry I didn’t catch your name!). So knowledgeable and super friendly. Such an awesome experience and great value for quite a lengthy tour. Amazing that Ruakuri is wheelchair accessible too and loved learning about the cave formations and the history of the area.

We joined a small-group tour of Ruakuri Cave at 10 AM, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. Unlike the silent boat ride in Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri is a walking tour that lets you explore a vast limestone system on foot, about 90 minutes along a carefully designed loop. The entrance is through a spectacular spiral ramp, almost like descending into the earth’s core. Inside, the guide explained cave safety, Māori legends, and pointed out fragile stalactites, stalagmites, and even ancient fossils embedded in the rock. The illuminated formations—columns, curtains, and stone “forests”—looked like nature’s own cathedral. At one point, we stood in complete darkness and watched thousands of tiny glowworms glow blue-green above us, like stars scattered across a night sky. Other highlights included an underground river, dramatic limestone halls, and the cave’s “sunroof”—a natural shaft once used by Māori and explorers to connect with the surface. At the end, we were invited to perform a symbolic hand-washing ritual, showing respect to the ancestors and leaving the cave’s spirit behind. Ruakuri combines geology, culture, and wonder. Highly recommended if you want a deeper, more adventurous cave experience beyond the glowworms.

Impressive and unique experience. Definitely a place one should visit. However our experience was not as good as expected due to little babies allowed in the cave, who under the stress of darkness, cried and screemed all the time. Irresponsible from the parents, unacceptable from the caves administration.

We drove from Taupo to Waitomo via mangakino, stunning scenery! The Ruakura guided walking tour is a must! Mitch our guide was knowledgeable, easy to communicate with and comedic too. All in all a great guy who is passionate about what he does. The caves, wow. Prepare yourself for a cathedral like experience with breathtaking formations, underground rivers and streams. The walking is easy due to the excellent safe walkways that are wheelchair friendly. The Glow worms were the icing on the cake. We did the loop track via Kuratau/Turangi and again wow, the scenery didn't disappoint. We have the day out a solid 10/10

Absolutely amazing experience and very different from the Waitomo cave. It’s a walking tour with a very knowledgeable guide and talks not only about the glow worms but the rock formations in the cave. It’s also a very intimate experience where you get to look at the glow worm up close and personally, learning about their life cycle and take ample pictures.

26/7/2024 1030 tour. We really enjoyed our guided tour of the Ruakuri caves. Went for the glow worms but I think the caves were better! Hard to believe that we have such cool and interesting underground cave systems like this one in our country. Our guide was lovely, very knowledgeable and answered all our questions easily.

90 minutes guided tour, fascinating and beautiful every step. Guides extremely experienced and knowledgeable, as well as entertaining. Lovely place to experience nature.

If you are anyway taking this road, you can stop for a short visit, but it is not worth taking a detour in my opinion. Over a short walkway through a beautiful forest with very well prepared wooden walkway and stairs you get to this cave. If caves are your thing, then maybe it is worth a visit.

Try this 0.3-km out-and-back trail near Te Anga, Waikato. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 5 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Piripiri cave is a majestic place open to the general public. Bring a good torch to be able to see and be careful on the stairs - the stairs may be muddy and slippery, and good shoes are recommended.

This was a neat little stop over. Easy walk to get to short stairway into the cave. About 25ish mins totaly to do. Very worth it

Excellent day trip with the Family, with a very short walk (8min tops) and it free. Highly recommend. Water Falls up the road are epic too

Very beautiful, a 5 min walk. It’s dark inside but the wall has a different stone to it so magical

I loved it.. You must do when here in Waitomo

Loved it. Not a long hike from the car park. The hiking track is not steep but just stairs going up and down but not for long. The walk is like 10 minutes each way. The track can be muddy but when we did it, the path was fine. Make sure you take a torch. We did not, but after a while in the dark, our eyes got used to it. Inside the cave, you will discover stairs and a viewing platform is built in. Sadly, wheelchair access is possible. You do not have to pay to visit Piripiri cave. You can do this cave in 30 minutes and go and see other attractions. There is lots to see ...