2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2024 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2023 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

Tours from Auckland Rotorua Tours Waitomo Caves Tours North Island Tours

Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves

From NZD$309

4.9

(80 reviews)

Departs from: Tours from Auckland

Duration: 9 hours

Start Booking Now

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Travel from Auckland to Rotorua on this unforgettable small group, fully guided day trip that takes you through the heart of New Zealand’s countryside and into the magical underground world of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. With engaging guides, scenic landscapes, and plenty of photo stops along the way, this one-way journey combines nature, adventure, and authentic Kiwi storytelling in one seamless experience.

Why you’ll love this

Journey through the lush Waikato countryside, New Zealand’s largest farming region

Explore the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves with a guided tour and boat ride

Marvel at thousands of glittering glowworms unique to New Zealand

Enjoy a relaxed small group experience with comfort, care, and local insight

End your day in Rotorua, ready to explore its geothermal wonders and Māori culture

Itinerary

What’s included

Small group guided one-way tour from Auckland to Rotorua

Entry to Waitomo Glowworm Caves with guided tour and boat ride

Comfortable, air-conditioned transport with water and refreshments

Engaging local guide with live commentary

Complimentary bottled water and snacks

Why choose us

Famously passionate tour guides

Our guides share stories, laughs, and Kiwi charm on every journey.

Travel in comfort

Small groups, big comfort. Relax in our modern Mercedes minibuses with style and space.

Award-winning tours

Thousands of five-star reviews and top travel awards - experiences loved worldwide.

Kiwi owned. Kiwi operated

Proudly local and passionate about sharing authentic New Zealand with every traveller.

Stories worth sharing

5/23/2026

Great trip to Waitomo Cave and Rotorua

It was a great trip to Waitomo Glow worm cave and Rotorua. Our tour guide, Trent, was a gracious host. Even with a very small group, he still drove us to the sites with great enthusiasm. One of our tour mates slipped on the curb side of Waitomo cave entrance and had to cancel the rest of her trip. Trent made sure that she was taken cared of and brought back to the city before we head out to our next destination. It was a great experience. One of the highlights of our trip.

NayrShey

5/16/2026

Lovely service

A big thank-you to our driver Simon! Lots of interesting facts and stories during the trip. He was absolutely lovely towards everyone, myself included 😊

Kat Z

5/16/2026

GREAT TOUR WITH TRENT !

One of the most unique experiences I have ever had! The places are amazing and the tour was GREAT! Specially because of our guide, Mr. Trent! Friendly, educated, clever and gentle! Always giving informations about everything on the way and also giving full attention to the group. He knows a lot about Maori culture and history. He drove us carefully and was always with us helping as much as possible. Smileful and really enjoying staying with us and taking care of the group. He even mede quick stops at a few other places on the way that were not included on the tour to show us some nice spots and give us more information. All the activities happened in a perfect way because of him. I highly recommend this tour with Cheeky Kiwi and specially with Mr. Trent as a guide! He loves what he does and he does it very well!!! Cheers

Marcelo Raimona

5/16/2026

Thank you Trent !!!

One of the most unique experiences I've ever lived. Sensational. Mr. Trent, our guide, made all the difference. Punctual, sociable, intelligent, polite, kind and has an excellent knowledge of Maori culture. Careful in the direction and perfect in dealing with us. All along he provided information about the climate, vegetation, geography, culture, customs and various curiosities. He did everything he could even to help a member of the group who had a small accident with a fall. He was equipped with first aid and provided all necessary assistance possible. The places were amazing, the cost was appropriate and the time helped but I repeat, the guide (Trent) made all the difference. I already know more than 70 countries and have made many tours around the world, this was undoubtedly one of the best! Super recommend the tour with Cheeky Kiwi and especially with Mr. Trent!

Marcelo Raimona

4/20/2026

Great way to transit from Auckland to Rotorua

We had a great day with Jeff as our guide and driver from Auckland to Rotorua. He provided a wealth of information on New Zealand and the region we’re traveling through. We also enjoyed our visit to the glowworm caves and the Māori Cultural Center. Jeff also had a number of suggestions for other things we may be of interest to us during our stay in Rotorua. I would definitely recommend this trip as an option to travel from Auckland to Rotorua versus flying if not driving g oneself.

Vacation32839802682

4/16/2026

Memorable day at Waitomo.

We had a very good experience with Cheeky Kiwi on 22nd March 2026 with our guide and driver, Hanoz. Pick up in Auckland was on time. Safe driver. Clean comfortable mini-coach (only about 10 of us). Really good communication from Hanoz (coach quiz!, got us all chatting, witty humour). The caves are magical- everyone strangely silent in the dark of the boat. Recommended.

Chrysalis

4/13/2026

Great trip

We had a great time on our tour with Simon as our guide. Would definitely recommend both the caves and Te Puia.

Passport640288

3/10/2026

Cultural experience

Beautiful part of the country, very informative trip and comfortable ride there and back. Would recommend to anyone visiting!

Rhea M

1/25/2026

Insightful and memorable road trip to Rotorua

Beautiful experience. Jeoff is an informative and prompt guide that enriched our drive and tour throughout. Would recommend!

Ralph Dsouza

1/25/2026

Fantastic

Jeoff was amazing- turned up on time, shared WhatsApp location so we knew where he was, contacted us the night before to confirm. Trip itself was fantastic- caves were AMAZING- absolutely beautiful would highly recommend both the trip and Cheeky Kiwi.

K B

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