From what we learned, this is the first year for this operation. It sounds like they acquired the property about 7 years ago and have been working on the cave for 5 of the 7. The tour is well organized and informative. Our guide Paul was funny and personable. At one point I was taking a picture of a very phallic stalagmite and he said “oh mate, there is a much larger one further into the cave”. The pace of the tour was good - not rushed but didn’t drag. Since these caves are privately owned they have not suffered the effects of vandalization like the public caves have. $35nzd per adult seemed fair after seeing the effort and investment.

I am fairly familiar with the public cave two kilometres down the road and had expected the development to make the private cave user-friendly would prove a turn-off after the “wilderness experience.” I was however extremely impressed by both the superb formations and the huge amount of cost and effort that has gone into making it accessible to almost everyone and safe without in any way detracting from the experience. Our guide Nina was helpful and knowledgeable, explaining both the caves formation and the life cycle of the glow worm. The $35 charge for a 55 minute tour seemed okay considering the experience and cost and effort gone into setting up the venture. I will probably return for a second visit some time. While only a couple of kilometres apart, the private and public cave systems offer very different formations and I feel it is worth visiting both if you have the time.

We were so thankful that our AirBNB hosts told us about this tour. We were unaware they were there and thought the public caves were our only option. This business has been open less than a year and are doing some really great things! Phil was our tour guide. We were in a group of 6 people which made it a really intimate and personal experience. Phil got to know all of us a bit while waiting for the tour to start. Once we got to the caves, he gave us each an individual torch on a lanyard to use during the tour. He led us into a very well groomed concrete path with hand railings, that in no way impacted the cave walls or surroundings. He thoroughly explained about the features of the cave, the recent typhoon that flooded it, the fossils embedded, as well as the glow worms. What was amazing was that they have actual pieces of fossils, stalagmites, etc available for you to feel and examine, that had previously fallen away. On the way back out of the cave, we got to experience the true brilliance of the glow worms. It was absolutely incredible! It truly looks like the Milky Way, there are so many of them. This is a new, small family venture and the time and effort they have put into preserving and sharing this amazing piece of our natural world is nothing short of phenomenal. The admission price is worth every cent very easily. I’m telling everyone about our amazing experience!!!

skip the crowds and head here amazing guided tour in a privately owned cave system We lucked out and had a private tour. Great info from the guide, amazing experience. Highly recommend

Excellent trip to Waipu caves. We were going to find a free glow worm cave but the guided tour was so worth it. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, also happy to help guide you on a hike. Highly recommend

We are new locals; took a group of out of town girlfriends to the caves one afternoon without knowing too much beforehand. It was fantastic! Jade, our guide, was very knowledgable - and patient! It's now on our "must do" list for visitors.

We had an amazing time here and would well recommend. We were lucky enough to have a private tour with Jade who was engaging and down to earth. Her information was very well judged and the layout of the cave walk was very well designed. All the staff were welcoming and we had a great experience while learning lots.

Last minute decision by us to take this tour as we had missed out on glow worms earlier on our travels. So glad we decided to do the Milky Way glow worm tour. Nina the tour guide was excellent, knowledgeable and fun. There were 4 of us on the tour and it was great value, with lots to see. Highly recommend if travelling in the area. You wont be disappointed.

Had a great guided tour of the Milky way glow worm caves. Initially I thought it was a bit pricey, but it was worth every penny. Went with my 13 and 17 yr. old. This takes approx. an hour, incudes a short walk-through woodland with history of limestone in the area, then descend into cave on an even purpose-built path throughout. You're up close to the cave walls at times and travel about 150m in, but never feel claustrophobic. You get to learn a lot about the live cave and its glowworms and then see them in all their glory when you dim the torches down. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to returning to the park in the future to explore the walking tracks, climbing, camping and further cave explorations you have plans to develop. Thankyou!

I cannot stop thinking about the experience/privilege of stepping back in time while safely strolling along well built paths. The engineering was staggering....the atmosphere relaxed and the jewel in the crown was the constellations along the Milky Way Trail. But the highlight would be Ross the Guide ...so clear... informative friendly and welcoming. There are not enough superlatives to describe him. We would follow him anywhere