Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour (One Way)
Overview
Available languages
One way tour from Auckland to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, via the beautiful Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Description
Auckland- Your journey begins with a convenient pick-up from central Auckland in our comfortable minibus. Sit back and enjoy a fully guided drive through the breathtaking Waikato region, home to New Zealand’s longest river, rolling green hills, and diverse farm animals.
Waitomo Caves- Once in Waitomo you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with it's many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms - which are unique to New Zealand - glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must see for any traveller.
Scenic drive- We will continue our adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers and lots more animals.
Rotorua- Upon reaching Rotorua, if you have not booked an optional guided tour of Te Puia, your guide will drop you off at your chosen accommodation, where your Rotorua adventure begins!
Please be aware that while lunch is not provided on this tour, there will be several opportunities for you to purchase food along the way.
Cancellation Policy
Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Fully guided journey through the picturesque Waikato farming region
Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, including a boat ride under thousands of twinkling glowworms
Food and drinks
Meeting points
Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart
Four Points By Sheraton Auckland
Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Auckland
ibis Budget Auckland Central
Mercure Auckland Queen Street
Options
Reviews
76 reviews
Great way to transit from Auckland to Rotorua
Vacation32839802682,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Memorable day at Waitomo.
437alisoni,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Great trip
Passport640288,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time on our tour with Simon as our guide. Would definitely recommend both the caves and Te Puia.
Seamless
Grace A,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Seamless tour and transport from Auckland to Rotorua. Jeoff was engaging, genuine, and knowledgeable about NZ. He included a couple of fun stops that made it extra special!
Cultural experience
184rheam,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful part of the country, very informative trip and comfortable ride there and back. Would recommend to anyone visiting!
Hours of driving with a 45 minute tour
peggywW1952VB,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were picked up at 6:00 a.m. and made a 15-minute stop at 8:00 for coffee and restrooms. We got back in the van and drove to Waitomo Caves for a 45-minute tour. The first 30 minutes were walking through the caves to view stalactites and stalagmites and sing a song in a chamber to hear the sound quality. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes or so that we got to see the glowworms. We then spent a few more hours driving to Rotorua. Our driver was very nice, but we wished we could have heard more from him. I felt a little cramped spending that much time in the van, but it was a nice Mercedes and the ride was smooth. We were glad we had someone do the driving instead of us.
Wonderful
Dawn N,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative guides in the caves and in te puia! The natural beauty is wonderful. Know that photos aren’t allowed in the caves. Our bus driver, Vicki, was excellent—great info and stories, funny, and a safe driver!
Insightful and memorable road trip to Rotorua
Fearless44694205860,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful experience. Jeoff is an informative and prompt guide that enriched our drive and tour throughout. Would recommend!
Fantastic
K B,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jeoff 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.
Have a wonderful experience to join Cheekykiwi's tour. Our tour guide,Jeoff who gives us many introductions about NZ.
FarAway60673989256,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have a very professional guide,Jeoff. He does a good job. Let us know more about Newzland. I would like to recommend friends to join the tours of Cheekykiwi.
From A$258.42
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
