State Highway 3 corridor

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Home to the Waitomo Homestead, offering country-style breakfasts and classic Kiwi dinners.

Places in State Highway 3 corridor

Waitomo Homestead Offers country-style breakfasts, generous pastries, and classic Kiwi dinners.
Waitomo Homestead pastry counter Generous pastries alongside country-style breakfasts.

Best time to visit: Winter (June-August) for a peaceful underground experience with fewer visitors, or spring/autumn (September-November, March-May) for mild weather and lighter crowds; glowworms are active year-round.
Getting around: Waitomo Village serves as the central hub, with the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Cafe & Restaurant located right at the cave entrance and the Waitomo Homestead along State Highway 3 nearby.
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Language: English and te reo Māori (both official).
Timezone: NZST (UTC+12, UTC+13 in summer)
Current trends: The Waitomo Glowworm Caves' unbroken guided history since 1889 continues to anchor its place on the New Zealand vacation wish-list, with the Ruakuri, Aranui, and Glowworm Caves remaining the most-visited among roughly 300 similar limestone formations in the area, while accommodation ranging from budget backpacker lodges to the quaint Waitomo Homestead Cabins reflects the destination's appeal to a wide spectrum of travelers just 2.5 hours south of Auckland.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves entrance area — Home to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Cafe & Restaurant, serving casual family-friendly food at the cave entrance.
Waitomo Village — Home to Huhu Café, offering hearty dishes like braised beef with cauliflower purée.