Norm, our guide, drove, my wife, mother-in-law and I, 15 minutes from the Spellbound office to the glow worm cave.

We walked the last 10 minutes down the hillside in the rain and were handed our helmets and lights by Norm our guide.

Victoria (only 8 years old) led us into the cave after Norm told us to mind the "Oh Bugger" rock near the entrance which we all did.
A short while in, Norm got us to turn our lights off – it was pitch dark – we could not see our hands in front of our faces.

We walked on and found some glow worms (maggots really). We could see how they capture flying insects with thread about 6 inches long with little beads of sticky every couple if millimeters. I spotted a little moth get caught by one of the threads and then we watched as it was slowly winched up, millimeter by millimeter, by the glow worm.

We took a boat ride and saw more thousands more glow worms. It was like boating under the stars. It was actually quite bright even though it was just the tiny light given out by these worms. We then turned the boat round before going over a waterfall. After the boat ride, we were told not to turn on our lights and navigate out of the cave using our senses and by holding on to the person in front. It was fun, a bit scarey - and it was dark too!
We were given refreshment and biscuits and then headed to the next cave. It was a traditional one with stalagmites and stalactites. There was no permanent lighting in the cave. This was to ensure that there was no green algae' growing on the rock. It had a small cathedral, which was formed by 3 waterfalls coming through the sides of the wall.

We also found some old bones, sheep and a moa. The Moa was buried over 800 years old. These animals must have fallen down the hole, injured and starved to death.

Norm was great and explained all the things we saw.

I strongly recommend Spellbound Glowworm Caves & Tours.

I would highly recommend the Spellbound Glowworm Cave Tour. It is very well run, good safety equipment and our guide was quite knowledgable. The entire experience was enjoyable. Where else in the world will you see a virtual Milky Way of glowworm lights. The three hours zipped by and we were sad to see the tour end. Don't miss this opportunity if you are traveling in New Zealand.
My husband and I traveled there in April and May of 2008. It was good to have a waterproof coat to thwart those cave kisses, and gloves and a scarf, caves are always cooler then the outside temp.

I would just like to take this opportunity to say what an amazing tour this was. It was everything the website said it would be and more. The glowworms were just amazing and everything was done very professionally. At no time did I feel unsafe. The commentary Lousie(our guide), gave was outstanding with just so much information about the worms and all other things with regards to the caves etc that I was stunned. Not only is this tour value for money, but I would suggest it is a must do while in Waitomo. Being that it is a small group of only12 made for a friendly feeling without the commercialism that you usually get from tours. Congratulations on such a tgreat our, I hope many people get to share the same experience we did.

Thanks for a memorable tour, it was the highlight of my holiday.

Right from the start, registering at the Waitomo Isite everything was great. The young lady referred us to a suitable overnight parking site for our motorhome and recommended the Ruakuri walk to do in area. This was very good, informative, interesting and attractive yet a relatively easy walk for 'pensioners'! We met people completing their black-water rafting excursion and other guides undertaking training. All very friendly and courteous.

The following morning we joined the SPELLBOUND tour starting with a minibus tour to the caves. Norm - our guide - was not only friendly, informative and knowledgable but also professional. With only 12 people in the tour - maximum - from many parts of the world the party soon became friendly and relaxed. The rubber dingy trip through the first cave was a truly amazing experience with the cave ceiling only a little above head height in many areas - indeed some of the glowworms were in alcoves below shoulder height when seated in the dingy - so this provided great visibility and detail regarding the silken 'web' of the insects. Being able to photograph theses close-up was really great! Leaving the dingy trip we enjoyed morning tea and were then led on a walk through an adjacent cave where considerable effort had been taken in installing a safe walkway with subdued lighting, to show the structure of the stalactites and stalagmites, the general geology of the cave with the 'tomos' giving air and light into parts of the cave. Moa Fossils were displayed as were the remains of more recent animals that had become trapped in the cave.

This was a great experience. The word 'Spellbound' truly reflects our impressions of the tour. Thanks to Norm and his team.