The entrance to Piripiri Cave

The photographic collection · 283

Waitomo Caves, in photographs.

Many ways to see an extraordinary place.

Photo credit

Johnragla · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.

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Photographs show different dates, viewpoints and conditions. Select an image to open the full-size view and its source. They do not establish current access to a particular route.

The Glowworm Grotto at Waitomo — The Glowworm Grotto at WaitomoPhoto: Michael Willison, CC BY 2.5

Drapery-like formations in Ruakuri Cave — Drapery-like formations in Ruakuri CavePhoto: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain

The entrance to Piripiri Cave — The entrance to Piripiri CavePhoto: Johnragla, CC BY-SA 4.0

The exit from a cave at Waitomo — The exit from a cave at WaitomoPhoto: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0

Flowstone on the walls of Ruakuri Cave — Flowstone on the walls of Ruakuri CavePhoto: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain

The "Birthday Candle" formation in Gardner's Gut cave in Waitomo is the largest stalagmite in New Zealand — The "Birthday Candle" formation in Gardner's Gut cave in Waitomo is the largest stalagmite in New ZealandPhoto: Paul Rowe, CC BY-SA 4.0

The approach to Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo — The approach to Ruakuri Cave at WaitomoPhoto: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, CC BY-SA 2.0

Stalactites inside Ruakuri Cave — Stalactites inside Ruakuri CavePhoto: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Cathedral in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves system, looking back towards the main cave — The Cathedral in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves system, looking back towards the main cavePhoto: Karora, Public domain

Glowworms inside Waitomo’s Ruakuri Cave — Glowworms inside Waitomo’s Ruakuri CavePhoto: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, CC BY-SA 2.0

Make this place part of your story.

A distinctive contender for a My Top 100 because its most memorable effect is small-scale and biological within a geological setting. It offers an alternative to the grand outdoor landscapes of New Zealand in The Original 100.