Waipu Caves
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Cymen Crick
Rankers Crew
Top Notch Glowworms. If you know the way.
Top Notch Glowworms. If you know the way.
One of the best places in the North Island to experience glowworms under your own steam.
Some folk miss out on the experience by going the wrong way or not taking the time. So here's the glowworm plan :)
Take footwear which you're happy getting wet. The entrance in particular is slippery. So take it easy.
Turn left once you're in the stream. The water might get up to your thighs for a bit.
Once you're deeper in the cave, slow down, take your time, let your eyes adjust to the light. Ideally give yourself 6-7 minutes hanging out next to the thick old stalegmite slightly to the left (how many drips did it take to form such a structure?)
Patience is a virtue at this point to let your eyes adjust. You will be rewarded.
Walk on and keep heading left and turn the corner.
Soon you'll get to the best glowworm galaxy. Magic!
Photos
Information
Waipu Caves
3 mins walk to the cave entrance
This is just one cave system in the area. But what a glowworm treat it provides.
Walking Track
Timing
Any time of day is OK to see the glowworms in these caves.
Unlike other do it yourself glowwworm options, which often require after dark adventures.
Access
Entrance from Springfield Road is much easier by Campervan / Motorhome. Just a short gravel section at the end, but the road is generally nice and open.
Entry via SH1, the Mountfield Road section isn't quite as easy. It's OK in most part, but there's alot more gravel and a quite tight section for Motorhomes a few km's from the Waipu Caves reserve itself.
Track
Only 1 or 2 minutes walk to the cave from the carpark
Fauna
Caves provide habitats or shelter for a suite of animal species with varying degrees of reliance on or adaptation to dark, cool, moist conditions with low daily variability.
Bones of bats, birds, amphibians and reptiles are commonly found in caves. Some caves also contain remains of fossil invertebrates, often of previously unknown or locally extinct species.
Polynesian History
Karst landscapes are of particular significance to Maori, which is enshrined in the tikanga and kawa (sacred customs and ceremonies) of those with the whakapapa to talk about them.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Waipu |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Caving
Nearby
Reviews
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Glowworms for free with lots of glowworms.
Ruven Rintelmann -
Steep walk through nice forest.
Gerbrand Smidt -
It is a mile walk inside the cave for us.
Florent Bouillon -
Caves with glowworms for free.
Kay Radloft -
Well signposted from State Highway 1.
MARK CURPHEY
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For free!
Follow the water, otherwise you are getting quite dirty - it is really muddy and slippery. Do not wear good clothes!
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Well signposted from State Highway 1.
Head torch and boots are needed. The last 10km to the cave are gravel tracks.
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Wouldn't recommend doing the whole walk...
first five minutes you will find the caves.. then after that you should turn back. If you decide to do the rest of the walk be prepared to walk up very steep hills (for a very long time) to get to nothing special at the top - don't really see the point of the walk. The caves are at the bottom. Again, up to you, but I wouldn't recommend this walk.
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We only visited the caves, which were okay.
Be prepared to get wet feet (even to get to the caves through the paddock) and make sure you take a strong torch (my headlamp was only just good enough.) Glow worms were good, especially if you haven't seen them before. The karst landscapes are very interesting.
The road in from the southern end via Shoemakers Road was very narrow, only one lane for much of it, so not really suitable for motorhomes - we held our breaths praying we wouldn't meet another vehicle. The northern access was much more accessible. Presumably the paddock is normally used for carparking, but because it was so wet it wasn't usable. The carpark on the road was all but full when we were there.
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We just walked from the carpark into the cave - 2 mins walk.
Beautiful cave, many more glow worms than I expected. Would take a stronger torch next time so we could explore further. We were a bit nervous of our battery running out, but still got to see a lot and would highly recommend this FREE experience.
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These caves are a great alternative to the Waitomo Caves.
The Waipu Caves are for free and easy to access. There is a stream and there are also glowworms in the cave.
-
Steep walk through nice forest.
I am only reviewing the walk, so I have not included the amazing glowworm caves. Just the caves would be satisfying enough though.
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It is a gravel road to get there but the caves are amazing.
It is really slippery, but it is easy to access, you have to go to the end of the cave to see glowworms. Looks so beautiful!
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ATTENTION - DON'T GO THE CAVE TRACK, JUST GO STRAIGHT INTO THE CAVE!!
We did the signed Cave Track (2km/1,5h return) and this was average. The track goes trough the forest, up & down hills and ends up on a hill top, on private land! The view was ok, but not worth it. You have to go back the same way. If it's wet it's also very slippery, which is annoying on the steep parts. After that we found the cave entrance right next to the carpark. The cave itself deserves the 9/10, it's an amazing experience! Lots of glowworms, nice limestone and really big inside! Take a strong torch, phone flashlight was like nothing inside. Besides that you have to pass some water, so take flip flops with you. We chose to walk barefoot, which was ok too.
-
A must see to see the glowworms for free!
After 15 minutes you are on the bottom of the cave where there are a lot of glowworms under a river.
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A long gravel road but worth it, we did not do the walk just the cave and it was stunning and absolutely free.
Experienced beautiful glowworm filled ceilings. It is muddy and dark in the cave, be prepared. Toilets at the parking area.
-
Beautiful track, big free caves but awful signage.
The three caves are hard to find, there are no signs showing the entry of a cave nor the way to the next one. Still a very beautiful walk with stunning views, glowworms picnic areas and three huge caves to explore.
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Glowworms for free with lots of glowworms.
You really need good shoes and a good torch, because it is really slippery and dark.
-
-
Beautiful long expanse of soft sand - really lovely to walk along/spend the day at a great cafe called 'The Cove' opposite - the salted caramel slice is to die for!
-
-
Great non-commercialised caves!
Adventurous, unique and overall wonderful glowworm experience (with baby is carrier). Simply great!
-
For free!
Follow the water, otherwise you are getting quite dirty - it is really muddy and slippery. Do not wear good clothes!
-
Well signposted from State Highway 1.
Head torch and boots are needed. The last 10km to the cave are gravel tracks.
-
Wouldn't recommend doing the whole walk...
first five minutes you will find the caves.. then after that you should turn back. If you decide to do the rest of the walk be prepared to walk up very steep hills (for a very long time) to get to nothing special at the top - don't really see the point of the walk. The caves are at the bottom. Again, up to you, but I wouldn't recommend this walk.
-
These caves are a great alternative to the Waitomo Caves.
The Waipu Caves are for free and easy to access. There is a stream and there are also glowworms in the cave.
-
We only visited the caves, which were okay.
Be prepared to get wet feet (even to get to the caves through the paddock) and make sure you take a strong torch (my headlamp was only just good enough.) Glow worms were good, especially if you haven't seen them before. The karst landscapes are very interesting.
The road in from the southern end via Shoemakers Road was very narrow, only one lane for much of it, so not really suitable for motorhomes - we held our breaths praying we wouldn't meet another vehicle. The northern access was much more accessible. Presumably the paddock is normally used for carparking, but because it was so wet it wasn't usable. The carpark on the road was all but full when we were there.
-
Steep walk through nice forest.
I am only reviewing the walk, so I have not included the amazing glowworm caves. Just the caves would be satisfying enough though.
-
It is a gravel road to get there but the caves are amazing.
It is really slippery, but it is easy to access, you have to go to the end of the cave to see glowworms. Looks so beautiful!
-
-
We just walked from the carpark into the cave - 2 mins walk.
Beautiful cave, many more glow worms than I expected. Would take a stronger torch next time so we could explore further. We were a bit nervous of our battery running out, but still got to see a lot and would highly recommend this FREE experience.
-
A must see to see the glowworms for free!
After 15 minutes you are on the bottom of the cave where there are a lot of glowworms under a river.
-
A long gravel road but worth it, we did not do the walk just the cave and it was stunning and absolutely free.
Experienced beautiful glowworm filled ceilings. It is muddy and dark in the cave, be prepared. Toilets at the parking area.
-
Glowworms for free with lots of glowworms.
You really need good shoes and a good torch, because it is really slippery and dark.
-
Beautiful track, big free caves but awful signage.
The three caves are hard to find, there are no signs showing the entry of a cave nor the way to the next one. Still a very beautiful walk with stunning views, glowworms picnic areas and three huge caves to explore.
-
ATTENTION - DON'T GO THE CAVE TRACK, JUST GO STRAIGHT INTO THE CAVE!!
We did the signed Cave Track (2km/1,5h return) and this was average. The track goes trough the forest, up & down hills and ends up on a hill top, on private land! The view was ok, but not worth it. You have to go back the same way. If it's wet it's also very slippery, which is annoying on the steep parts. After that we found the cave entrance right next to the carpark. The cave itself deserves the 9/10, it's an amazing experience! Lots of glowworms, nice limestone and really big inside! Take a strong torch, phone flashlight was like nothing inside. Besides that you have to pass some water, so take flip flops with you. We chose to walk barefoot, which was ok too.
-
-
Beautiful long expanse of soft sand - really lovely to walk along/spend the day at a great cafe called 'The Cove' opposite - the salted caramel slice is to die for!
-
-
Great non-commercialised caves!
Adventurous, unique and overall wonderful glowworm experience (with baby is carrier). Simply great!
-
This was a great adventure!
The cave begins immediately after the parking site (50 meters). With 2 kids, 3 and 4 years old, we went half way. We had to help them, but they liked it very well! The glow worms and the adventure makes it a great experience. You need a torch, short trousers, and flip flops / swimming shoes. Let the fun begin! Mid February there were quite some people, but most of them stayed at the beginning of the cave. We were with a camper van and overnight at the parking site. During the evening it became quite busy with campervans and tents doing the same. But still it was very quiet and nice. There is a toilet (not very clean) and a cold shower.
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Such a great, big and beautiful glowworm cave we have ever seen.
Amazing and it also did not cost anything! Also only a few people around.