Thrilling New Zealand: Caving

When you hear the words adventure and thrill, you may think of one country in particular. New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for those who want to experience adrenaline-producing activities. If you have ever thought of renting a campervan hire New Zealand, the following activity will convince you to.

Caving in New Zealand

First of all, what exactly is caving and why would you want to do it? Caving is essentially what it sounds like. As New Zealand is rich in cave networks, one of the fun-filled adventures to be found in this country is caving. Exploration of the caves is not only highly interesting, it can also be a beautiful experience for many. From the formations to the adventure of exploring the unknown, if you have been searching for new activities to do, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

What to Consider

Caving in New Zealand isn’t only about exploring caves by walking them. That’s one of the amazing things about caving in this country. You can go blackwater rafting in a cave, softly float in a boat in a cave, go rappelling in a cave, or of course, you can simply walk through a cave. The options are bountiful and appeal to all types of personalities and adventurers.

The most popular caves in New Zealand:

While there are many caves to explore in the country, one of the most popular destinations for caving is in Waitomo. There is a variety of ways to get to know these caves. Following are some caves that you may want to visit and what you can expect from your visit.

  • Ruakari Cave-The Ruakari Cave is for those who want to have adventure like they have never known before. It’s where you can go black water rafting and appreciate the underground magic to be found in New Zealand. Named by Maori over 400 years ago, the “Den of Dogs” is a wild experience for the brave-hearted.

  • Aranui Cave-Located in a nature reserve, this is the cave that you will want to visit to see the world-famous glowworms that can be found in New Zealand’s caves. Here, you can also admire the incredible formations in what is one of the smallest caves around. It’s the ideal destination for families with kids who want to visit a cave without worrying about the kids getting hurt.

  • Te Anau Glowworm Caves-If you want to experience the caves in a boat, without worrying about going black water rafting, this is a great option for you. You can explore the lake of Te Anau before arriving at the entrance of the caves. Once underground, you will be able to view incredible formations of limestone rock, as well as the beautiful view of an underground waterfall. It is most definitely one of the most captivating underground caves and worth visiting. Whether you are traveling in a campervan hire New Zealand or directly arrive to the area, this will be a rewarding experience.

  • Paparoa National Park-Paparoa National Park should be on your list of places to visit in a campervan hire New Zealand. There is plenty to see and discover here, but of course, one of the most popular reasons why people visit Paparoa National Park is for a less-crowded blackwater rafting experience.


  • Abbey Cave in Whangarei-This is a cave that you can explore with your children if you like, although you will want to be careful over the slippery rocks. If you really want to explore the caves, it’s best to perhaps leave them with a sitter, as much of the cave is underdeveloped. Here you can see anything from eels to glowworms, making it a fun experience for anyone who visits.

Why You Will Want to Make Caving a Priority

Nowhere else will you be able to experience the fascinating experience of these particular glowworms in dark caves. There is something magical about the beauty found here and you will walk away with a newfound respect for the Maori people-who discovered many of New Zealand’s caves-and for New Zealand.

As you can see from the information shared above, there are opportunities for all kinds of caving experiences. From the calm to the adventurous, you can have the caving experience that best suits you. There are also options for those with kids and while you’ll want to exercise caution, no matter what, there are guided tours that are safe for the little ones.

If you have been considering a road trip in a campervan hire New Zealand, you are making a great choice. You can include the above caves on your itinerary and enjoy the abundance of natural landscapes found along the way. Many of these caves are located in national parks, so gear up, pack up, and come discover what caving in New Zealand is all about.