St Benedict's Caverns

Imagine a huge underground chamber a 100 metres long and 40 metres high; bristling with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and all manner of wonderful natural creations. You gain access down a 60 metre shaft in two abseils.

Half Day Duration

Affordable Price

Moderate Difficulty

Common Questions

Overview Highlights Take A Look Adventure Showcase Reviews Common Questions Book Now

Overview

Imagine a huge underground chamber 100m long and 40m high - just bristling with stalactites; stalagmites; flowstone and all manner of wonderful natural creations. You gain access down a 60m shaft in two abseils.

Once down, the group makes its way along connecting passages until suddenly you've arrived...The main chamber is fabulous and the best part is yet to come. Clip onto a flying fox (zip line) that will zing you part way across the chamber.
After that it’s walking and clambering past even more unusual formations until reaching the exit stair. Pop out a round door right in the side of a hill and back into sunlight.

Departs Daily. (Except for Christmas & New Year’s Days)

Bookings are essential. The minimum number of participants is 3 (Three). But don't worry if you are a solo traveler - trips fill up nicely !

If you’d like to give it a go, you’ll have to be at least 12 (twelve) years of age.

Children under 15 years must be accompanied by their parent or caregiver OR a mature adult known to the child and aged 18 years or older.

All you need is comfortable “outdoorsey” clothes (e.g. shorts and thermal top; NOT jeans), long thick socks (suitable for bush walking); and a smile! (We provide the overalls; boots and everything else). Check-in time is 30 minutes before scheduled departure.

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Highlights

Jaw Dropping

Two Abseils Total 60m

Suitable for beginners. Guides instruct while still above ground and then assist participants to abseil into the Autumn Shaft. This 60m dog-leg pitch features 20m and 40m abseils.

After arriving in the heart of the system, explore the huge DRY caverns whilst navigating to the main attraction - St Benedicts Cathedral.

There’s lots to see along the way before arriving at the main chamber which is jaw dropping. It’s simply dripping with formation unequalled in NZ.

A zip line is now the way forward and serves the double purpose of having serious fun and also protecting the delicate formations. Finally exit into native forest through NZ’s first “Hobbit Hole”.

Flying Fox

Zip Line Through The Stalactites

Clip onto a flying fox (zip line) that will zing you part way across the main chamber.

This is a cool add-on in an already amazing place and helps us to look after the cave.

Mines of Moria

NZs first Hobbit Hole

This is a (round) airlock door into the cave system and was put there many years ago (long before the Lord of the Rings movies) to protect the formations inside.

However, the other connection to Tolkien is that “real underground sounds” were collected here for the LOTR movies.

So when you’re listening to sounds of people walking on broken rock or dripping water underground think back to the Mines of Moria – because this is where they recorded the sound.

#picsforinstagram

Stacks of Free Insta-worthy Photos FREE!

Although not pro photographers, our guides are pretty handy with a camera – which is good because caves can be tricky places to photograph.

As personal phones and cameras & Go-pros are not permitted for safety, we make sure to take plenty of snaps of you on your adventure.

Unlike some other companies, photos are provided Free of Charge ie you won't be asked for annoying additional photo charges in addition to the advertised trip price.

A Journey Together

Highly Qualified & Experienced Guides

Guides inform, assist and ensure safety throughout – they are among the best qualified in New Zealand.

Equally important, in our view, is that our guides are here for you - because they love sharing in your quest for fun, thrill and adventure.

Don't let their down-to-earth, fun loving nature fool you though, they take your safety very seriously.

Take A Look

Adventure Showcase

A picture is worth a thousand words.

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Reviews

What our customers have to say.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know.

Waitomo, NZ

Central North Island Location

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What Do I Need to Bring
All you need is comfortable “outdoorsey” clothes ( e.g. shorts and thermal top; NOT jeans), long thick socks (suitable for bush walking); and a smile! (We provide the overalls; boots and everything else).
What Time Should I Arrive?
Be sure to book to secure your caving tour by booking in advance. Please note we only accept Visa or Mastercard. Our trips are popular and bookings are recommended, especially in the summer months. To secure the most suitable departure time(s), make your booking early.

Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time for our Adventure Trips.
Check in for the Troll Cave is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
What Happens When It's Raining?
When it's raining stream levels can rise in our TumuTumu Toobing Cave and the wet part of the Lost World Epic. But our St Benedict's Caverns is a dry trip so there is no need to worry.
Is This Adventure Suitable For Children?
If you’d like to give it a go, you’ll have to be at least 12 (twelve) years of age. Children under 15 years must be accompanied by their parent or caregiver OR a mature adult known to the child and aged 18 years or older.
What About Photography?
Photography – No Cameras, Go Pros etc
We provide a basic photo service.
Please do not come to us if you wish to take your own photos or videos – it will not end well.
If you try to check-in with a camera, or pull out a camera during the activity, then your trip will be terminated and there will be no refund.
Our guides take photos on basic cameras and these are provided to clients via internet at no extra charge i.e. Free photographs.
However, please be aware that the focus of our activities is on adventure, not photography. We have found that the flow of these activities becomes disrupted if clients take their own camera gear. One person's photographic dream can be at the expense of others in the group who just want to get on with the adventure. There are also safety issues e.g. where loose gear could fall and become damaged or even injure someone.
There are also privacy issues – where other participants on the activity may not want to be photographed (whether it’s deliberate or not)
For all these reasons, no client photography equipment is permitted on any activities. This includes no cameras; no videos; no Go-Pros etc
How to Pay
Prices are GST (tax) inclusive and also include the use of all necessary equipment (except the minimal "you need" items). To secure your booking you will need to book online using the link on this page. Please note we only accept Visa or Mastercard