Explore the Mesmerizing Glowworm Caves Near Auckland, New Zealand

Last weekend, I visited the breathtaking Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a must-see destination on New Zealand's North Island, famously known as the backdrop for Wu Qilong and Liu Shishi's wedding photos. The journey from Auckland's central district takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes by car. When booking tickets, I discovered that the Waitomo attractions consist of three caves: Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The highlight is that Ruakuri Cave allows photography throughout the tour, including capturing the glowworms! Naturally, I chose Ruakuri Cave, and it was an incredibly cool and awe-inspiring experience. The tour is guided with explanations in English, and important parts are repeated, so there's no need to worry if your English isn't perfect. Our guide was extremely friendly and led us from the top to the bottom of the cave. We walked through a pitch-black tunnel before encountering the twinkling glowworms, resembling a galaxy overhead. The experience is indescribable and cannot be captured by a phone camera; it must be seen with the naked eye to be truly appreciated. The Ruakuri Cave tour lasts 1.5 hours, offering not only glowworms but also stunning natural limestone formations. The cave, formed around 30 million years ago, was discovered by a local Maori leader and a British surveyor during their exploration of the Waitomo caves. Inside, there is a monument commemorating their discovery. #NewZealandTravel #AucklandLife #AucklandSurroundings #WaikatoTravel #NewZealandMustSee #Glowworms #NewZealandGlowworms #WaikatoGlowworms