On Saturday 3 December, a group consisting of 4 people from South Korea, 2 from Thailand, 4 of my extended family and myself went to Waitomo and Hobbiton. We met at Auckland Institute of Studies at 7am and drove 2 hours 30 minutes to Waitomo, stopping for a short break at Pirongia on the way. Continue reading Hobbiton and Waitomo
Category: Waitomo Caves and Kiwi House
This trip takes in the Kiwi House at Otorohanga and the two main caves at Waitomo. We visit the Kiwi House and Native Bird Park first. This is the best place to see kiwi in New Zealand. We see them in their nocturnal area where they are easy to see and then explore the rest of the native bird park. We get the opportunity to hand-feed kakariki which are a parakeet. We then have a picnic lunch before returning to the kiwi house to see the keepers feeding the kiwi. At this time the kiwi are highly active.
Then we have a short drive to Waitomo where we have a 2 hour walk in Ruakuri Cave where we can observe glowworms close up and see wonderful cave formations. Then we go to Main Glowworm Cave where we have a short walk followed by a boat ride on an underground river. In the dark, we see caves covered in glowworms.
We finish with at Huhu restaurant (allow $20 – $30 for dinner).
> Minimum 2 passengers – maximum 7 passengers
> $180 includes transport, entrance to Kiwi House, Ruakuri Cave, and Main Glowworm Cave
> Depart Auckland 8.30am
> 2 hours 15 minutes Auckland – Otorohanga
> 2 Hours 30 minutes Waitomo – Auckland
> Pick up at your hotel / home (Auckland central area*)
> Bring picnic lunch or contact me to arrange one for you ($10)
> Bring cash or card for dinner
> Advance booking essential
*If outside this area, contact me to see if a pick up is possible.
Recent trips to Waitomo Caves and Kiwi House:
Hobbiton, Kiwi House and Waitomo Caves
On Saturday 30 July, a group consisting of 5 from Saudi Arabia, 4 from South Korea, 1 from Colombia and myself went to Hobbiton, Kiwi House and Native Bird Park at Otorohanga, and Waitomo. Continue reading Hobbiton, Kiwi House and Waitomo Caves
Otorohanga Kiwi House and Waitomo Caves
On Saturday 19 March 2016, a group of 6 (2 Japanese, 1 Colombian, 1 French, 1 Korean and myself) set off at 8.3O am from Auckland Institute of Studies and headed for the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Waitomo Caves. Continue reading Otorohanga Kiwi House and Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves and Otorohanga
On Saturday 21 November 2015 a group of 7 students from Auckland Institute of Studies (5 from Korea, 1 from China and 1 from Japan) joined me on a tour to Otorohanga and Waitomo. The day was warm but rainy. Continue reading Waitomo Caves and Otorohanga