Daytrip to Waitomo Caves

The Shearing shop was also a highlight as we got to see an Angora rabbit sheared along with some interesting information. This is also an area with black water (underground) rafting, abseiling, rock climbing, and cave tubing.

Quick Tips:

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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.

The main glowworm cave has a large cathedral which has hosted many musical performances. After about a 15 minute walk through the cave with your guide you come to the section of the cave where the glowworms reside. This section of the cave is flooded and you ride through on a raft. You are warned to be very quiet as noise apparently disturbs the glowworms. The raft slowly passes through this section and as you round the first corner it suddenly seems as if you are outside on a perfectly clear star-filled night. Thousands of little glowworms are above you lighting your artificial sky. The raft carries on through this section and you arrive at the end of your journey.

As with all good tourist stops there is the obligatory gift shop and cafeteria-style restaurant. The gift shop does have a few unique items relating to the glowworms as well as a good stock of New Zealand tourist items.

We were fortunate that on the day we were there they were shearing a rabbit. Before the shearing the owner was showing off the rabbit and allowing customers to pet it. The fur is incredibly thick yet very light. She explained the rabbits have to be sheared every four months or they will die from the heat caused by their coats. The shearing was very interesting. We had seen sheep sheared and that was very simple to do as the sheep really didn't seem to mind. The rabbit definitely wasn't happy about it. It fights so hard that in order to shear it without hurting it (or the shearer) they have to stretch it out and tie its front and back legs to something that looks like you would use to barbeque the rabbit. Then it is sheared while held stationery in that position. After the shearing the rabbit appeared to regain its good humor indicating the process really didn't hurt.

This building has four outer walls and a roof. Inside is a circular structure with mostly glass walls. Inside two or three Kiwis roam around in their created environment of plants, earth, etc. Lighting is very low (like walking at night) as the Kiwis are nocturnal.

They are about the size of a chicken, but no other similarities. They have long, thin beaks, poor eyesight, and good hearing and smell. One Kiwi was apparently battling with another for territorial rights when we were there. You can't really go to New Zealand without seeing a Kiwi, but most of us will probably find that one visit is enough.