Private tour from Auckland - Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Zealong Tea & Kiwi Bird
Description
We have Combined 3 of New Zealand's unique experiences in this tour around the Waikato; Zealong Tea Estate, Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Otorohanga kiwi Sanctuary. The tour starts by picking you up from your centrally located Auckland hotel, the first stop is the Zealong Estate where you will have the opportunity to explore New Zealand's only commercial tea estate selling organic tea. Learn all about the history and making of the tea and of course try it! You will also walk along the trail and see unique sculptures and scenery. The next stop is Waitomo caves where your guide will take you on a 50 mins group tour teaching you about these creatures and enjoy a magical boat ride through the caves. Followed by a lunch at the iconic open air restaurant Finally the last stop is at New Zealand's largest free-flight dome aviary, here you can get up close to New Zealand Native birds and reptiles at Otorohanga Kiwi House before driving back to Auckland for drop off.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up & drop off can be arranged anywhere in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua or Tauranga
Enter a magical cave surrounded by thousands of tiny glowing worms, sit back on your guided boat tour through the caves and gaze at what looks like a starry night sky. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Discover an ancient world 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Experience the serene ambience as you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights. The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand, making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do. See thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their unmistakable luminescent light in a subterranean world.
Get up close to the iconic kiwi bird, tuatara and various other unique native wildlife at the Otorohanga Kiw House. This organisation has been a sanctuary for New Zealand native birds and reptiles since 1971. The family-friendly Park offers close up viewing of NZ's national bird, the Kiwi. There are also ponds, wetland areas and walk-through aviaries including a giant dome aviary. The not-for-profit wildlife and conservation centre displays Kiwi birds all day in specialised moonlit nocturnal houses complete with burrow cameras. And it breeds rare native New Zealand wildlife for release to the wild.
Experience New Zealand's only commercial tea estate, producing 100% organic world class tea at the Zealong Tea Estate. Zealong is the only commercial tea estate in NZ producing 100% organic award winning tea. Embark on a tea-infused culinary journey or explore the fascinating world of tea with our Discover Zealong Tea Experience. Relax over a high tea at the Zealong Tea House, sample our tea or take something home with you from our retail boutique.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please let us know where you want us to pick you up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant seats must be requested at least 24 hours in advance (extra charges apply)
- A minimum of 2 people is required for the tour to operate
Reviews(20)
John was a great guide /driver. Great info and conversation. Kept us on schedule. Wonderful experience. He ensured each of our multiple Experiences for the day went smoothly.
We recently enjoyed a private tour from Auckland that included the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a Kiwi Bird encounter, and high tea at the Zealong Tea Estate. Each destination was captivating, but it was our guide, Warren, who truly made the day exceptional. Warren's blend of humor, knowledge, and warmth transformed our journey into an unforgettable experience. His insightful commentary and engaging stories enriched our understanding and kept us entertained throughout. The itinerary was perfectly paced: starting with the mesmerizing glowworms, followed by an intimate encounter with New Zealand's iconic kiwi birds, and culminating in a serene high tea amidst the lush surroundings of Zealong. Warren's dedication and passion didn't go unnoticed. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. It's rare to encounter someone who so clearly loves what they do, and it made all the difference. If there's any justice, Warren deserves a raise for his outstanding service! Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience the best of New Zealand with a top-notch guide
We're absolutely delighted to hear that your private tour to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Kiwi Bird encounter, and Zealong Tea Estate was such a memorable experience. It's especially heartwarming to know that Warren helped make the day truly unforgettable with his humor, insight, and dedication. He’s an incredible member of our Auckland & Beyond Tours whānau, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words—he’ll be thrilled! Creating meaningful, well-paced experiences that capture the beauty and uniqueness of Aotearoa New Zealand is exactly what we aim for, and we're so happy this tour ticked all the boxes for you. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another adventure!
We had an amazing private tour from Auckland that included the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the Kiwi Bird experience, and high tea at Zealong Tea Estate — and every part of it was incredible! Our driver and guide, Warren, truly made the day extra special. He was wonderful — funny, engaging, and full of knowledge about the areas we visited. His commentary added so much to the journey, and we really appreciated his great sense of humor and insight. He definitely deserves a raise! The itinerary was perfectly planned: we visited the Glowworm Caves first, which were absolutely magical. Next was the Kiwi Bird experience — a rare chance to see these iconic creatures up close. We ended the day with a relaxing high tea at Zealong Tea Estate, which was not only delicious but also set in such a beautiful location. This tour was seamless, enjoyable, and unforgettable. Highly recommended — and if you can, ask for Warren!
Smooth tour to Waitomo Cave from Auckland. Friendly driver guide with clear commentaries. Just a small feedback on the on board wifi which was not working.
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the tour to the Waitomo Caves. We apologize for the issue with the WiFi; we’re working to improve our services for a seamless experience. We hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable adventure!
Had a great time with our driver, Angelo. This is a small family owned local business and they were great in helping to plan the day. Stayed flexible so we can add a spot to stop as needed. We also opted to see The Spellbound Gloworm Caves Private Tour. Way better option than the standard gloworm experience. Photos and an imin depth experience. Got lucky to see a Kiwi up close and active at the Kiwi House. Stopped st Alex Sands new Greenstone and Local Art Gallery in Hamilton. Great birds and scenery all day. Luxury vehicle. Nice stop at a bakehouse for lunch made for a great day. Highly recommend the company. Customer service was 5 star all the way.
Kia ora and thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable private tour to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Zealong Tea Estate, and Kiwi Bird experience with Auckland & Beyond Tours. It’s great to know that Angelo provided top-notch service, ensuring a flexible and personalized journey. Choosing the Spellbound Glowworm Caves Private Tour was an excellent call—this immersive experience truly showcases the magic of New Zealand’s glowworms like no other! Seeing a Kiwi up close at the Kiwi House is always a rare and special moment, and we’re glad you had that opportunity. The stop at Alex Sands' Greenstone & Local Art Gallery in Hamilton added a unique cultural touch, while the luxury vehicle and delicious bakehouse lunch rounded out a perfect day. We truly appreciate your kind words about our family-owned local business and our commitment to 5-star customer service. We’d love to welcome you back for another customized New Zealand adventure soon! Ngā mihi nui!
A great tour to get an insight into Māori culture. The glow worm caves were spectacular. Our guides John and David were well informed. It is a jam packed day; it maybe an idea to go prepared with food items for your breakfast and lunch as it is meals on the go. Be prepared for a long day and comfortable shoes are a must.
Kia ora and thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that your private tour from Auckland—covering the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Zealong Tea Estate, and Kiwi Bird experience—offered you a valuable insight into Māori culture and showcased some of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural wonders. It's wonderful to know that our guides, John and David, provided you with well-informed commentary throughout this jam-packed day. Your tip about bringing breakfast and lunch on the go, as well as wearing comfortable shoes, is excellent advice for future travelers. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures with Auckland & Beyond Tours in the future.
Did the Waitomo and Rotorua tour. It is indeed a must-try experience. On top of it, Warren made the whole trip much more better. Highly recommended!!
Kia ora, and thank you for your outstanding review! We're thrilled to hear that our Private Tour from Auckland covering the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Zealong Tea, and Kiwi Bird experiences was a must-try for you. It’s fantastic that Warren's expertise and friendly service enhanced your journey, making your Waitomo and Rotorua tour truly memorable. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable New Zealand adventures.
The experience was amazing! This tour is a must-do when travelling to New Zealand's northern Island. Auckland & Beyond Tours made it easy for us from start to end of the activity. At the beginning, they are very communicative and want to make sure you feel ready for the experience! They email you to make sure you are aware of most convenient pick-up location and time. During the tour, David was great driving us around and adding valuable insights about the country and region we were visiting. At the end, I had an incident as I left my wallet in the van. Chantelle (coordinator) and David did an amazing effort to find it, quickly contact me so I would not stress, and deliver it to me at my hotel. I really appreciated all the support received from Chantelle, David, and Auckland & Beyond Tours! Thank you for making us spend such a great day, with a happy ending!
Thank you for this fantastic feedback about our reservation team and tour guide. All the team at Auckland and Beyond Tours appreciate that you took the time to share these insights about our tours. We indeed go above and beyond for each and every customer to make you feel comfortable and welcomed.
Paola is an excellent tour guide! Very safe driver and knowledgeable about the area. He stopped for bathroom breaks at just the right times!
Thank you for the kind feedback.
2nd tour with AKL&Beyond Half day tour to the caves. was really interesting to see this natural built highlight in NZ. Drivers along the way share always informations about NZ the people and BEYOND great fun to the tours with them.
Thank you for booking our private tour to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. We appreciate your lovely feedback and hope to see you again soon on another adventure.
