The Aranui caves are a complex of caverns nearby the more famous Waitomo Glowworm caves. You buy your ticket at the ticket center - a two ticket package is available which also covers the glowworm caves for $30NZ ($16US).You start by walking up a path through dense forest to the cave opening. The cave was apparently found and named after a native Maori who discovered the cave while chasing after his dog who followed a rabbit into the caves. These caves have artificial lights which are turned on in each section of the caves as you visit and then turned off when you leave that section. The caves have stalactites and stalagmites and offer several spectacular natural formations. Photography is allowed.
The guide leads you through each section and suggests photo ops and a few sites which you may otherwise overlook. The inside tour takes about 20 minutes to half an hour.