RUAKURI CAVE & HAMILTON GARDENS-PRIVATE TOUR FROM AUCKLAND

You will be joining with traveller's who have booked for Glowworm Caves, and Spellbound Caves. Head out of Auckland and, on the way to the Waitomo Ruakuri Cave, enjoy a brief stop at Taupiri for a quick break to grab a coffee, breakfast, or lunch at your own expense. Then, head to the Waitomo Caves via Otorohanga. While you pass the NZ State 3 and 37, stay on the lookout for a statue of New Zealand's largest extinct flightless bird, Moa. Stop here for a quick photo opportunity. Head to Ruakuri Cave, one of the longer caves in the Waitomo area of New Zealand. It was first discovered by local Māori between 400 and 500 years ago. The name Te Ruakuri, or "The Den of Dogs" was given to the surrounding area when wild dogs were discovered living in the entrance of the cave. Begin the tour by journeying down through the spectacular, man-made spiral entrance, marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries while listening to the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls. If you want to see glowworms up-close and personal and learn about their fascinating life, then this is the tour for you. Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave. After completing the Waitomo Ruakuri Cave, we stop for a lunch break at Waitomo Homestead, or to Otorohanga town. After the lunch break, we head to Hamilton Gardens, a unique garden complex in New Zealand, featuring 18 enclosed gardens that showcase different cultures and historical periods. Each garden tells a story, blending art, design, and nature. It offers visitors a visually stunning and educational experience across beautifully curated landscapes. The self-guided experience roughly takes around 2 hours. After visiting Hamilton Gardens, we head towards Auckland with an optional stopover for a scenic lookout to view New Zealand's longest river, Waikato River.