Have you ever noticed how the caves shine blue in the dark? You can get a glimpse of it in Auckland. Auckland is a destination with a wealth of unique sightseeing spots that you can visit and enjoy alone or with your friends and family. Its natural beauty, the combination of rural and modern feelings all at once, is a sense that one would like every time they visit a vacation destination.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland are one of those sights that will take you out of this world and keep you surprised the entire time you’re there. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves destination is a cavern in New Zealand’s North Island Waitomo. It is well-known for its Arachnocampa Luminosa colony, which is a glowworm creature seen only in New Zealand.
Do you want to learn more about it? Simply reading this article will provide you with more details.
A Brief History
If you’re wondering where the term “Waitomo” came from, let us inform you that it originates from the Maori words wai, which means water, and tomo, which means pit or tunnel. The cave had been known to the ancient Mori people for about a decade before a native Mori and English geologists were given the entry in 1884.
They came upon the Glowworm Grotto on their travels and were fascinated by the glittering illumination emanating from the roof. The limestone structures shocked them as they moved deeper into the cavern by poling themselves towards an elevation. These structures encircled them in several different forms. So, if you believe you’ll only see glowworms, you’re definitely mistaken!
About The Tour
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves trip is a guided tour that leads the tourist through three main areas of the cave, starting at the top level and ending in the Catacombs. The Tomo, a 16-meter-high limestone straight tunnel, connects the tiers.
The next level is known as the Banquet Chamber, and it is here that the ancient travellers paused to dine, as evidenced by the soot on the chamber’s roof. It may be easy to return to the higher level from here to observe the greatest structure, known as the Pipe Organ. However, this region is blocked from visitors on crowded occasions due to the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation.
The final level descends into the Cathedral, display stage, and dock, confined space with uneven ground that has been covered and is approximately 18 metres high, providing good echoes.
The journey finally ends with a boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto. The boat transports the guest into the underground Waitomo River, where the sole lighting is provided by tiny glowworms, forming a canopy of moving lights.
To Sum It All
Auckland is surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty. And if you want to try something new, you must visit this cave, which will present you with a new level of beauty. The many structures of limestone formations and the distinctive glowworms are sure to make your journey to Auckland memorable.