One of the things I love about living in New Zealand is that we don’t have to go far to have an adventure. We drove less than two hours north of Auckland to Waipu. Here we had options to relax at the beach or explore Waipu Caves. One of the free glow worm caves in New Zealand, they are home to Northland’s largest cave passage discovered to date.
Despite our basic plan of one outing to Waipu Caves, and relaxing at Waipu beach the rest of our time, we found plenty of things to do in Waipu.
Waipu Caves
Like many places off the tourist track, these New Zealand caves are free. Inside Waipu Caves we discovered stalagmites, stalactites, glow worms, the bones of small animals (bats, birds, amphibians and reptiles), and fossil invertebrates.
However, the undeveloped Waipu Caves are not for everyone. You may walk through areas of waist-deep water, or pass through tight passages. At least that’s what the information we read tells us, I didn’t go beyond my comfort zone. If I had, I would reach the end, turn off my torch (flashlight) and immediately understand why they are nicknamed the Waipu glow worm caves.
Pro tip: The third chamber has the best glow worm viewing.
What you need to know before you visit Waipu Caves
- Waipu Caves require a moderate level of fitness as well as some caving experience.
- Check the past week’s weather, especially the current forecast, as the caves flood.
- Wear sturdy waterproof shoes due to a lack of paths in the cave. At times you will find yourself walking through water, mud, or on slippery ground.
- There is a shower (cold water only) outside the cave that comes in handy.
- Bring a good caving torch (flashlight) and extra batteries.
- Never go caving alone.
- More information on Waipu Caves and the surrounding tracks can be found on the Department of Conservation’s official website.
- The caves are one of many unique things to do in New Zealand.
Be inspired by New Zealand
Other things to do in Waipu
While many people explore the caves as a day trip from either Auckland or Whangarei, they are missing out on some of the other great things to do in Waipu. We stayed at the beach with friends, enjoying swimming, sunsets, horseriding (not us personally but we saw others doing it), surfing, hiking, eating, and more.
Hiking the Waipu Caves walkway
The 2-kilometre hiking track on the hillside surrounding the caves takes you past huge weathered boulders and up to a ridgeline offering panoramic views across Whangarei Harbour. The karst landscape is magnificent, although prone to sinkholes.
It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top, stop, and enjoy the view, and return on the same trail.
Relaxing at Waipu Cove Beach
Relaxing at Waipu Beach or enjoying the waves, we all found something we enjoyed. Waipu, along with nearby Langs Beach are two of the many Northland beaches waiting to be discovered.
Horse trek along the coastline
On horseback is a great way to explore the stunning coastline. (not the area near the Waipu Caves). The typical adventure lasts about 90 minutes and you will see Uretiti Beach, Whangarei Heads, and local bushland. No experience is necessary.
Although we haven’t done this, after reading the impressive reviews, we feel comfortable with our recommendation. Best of all, depending on the day you select you can get up to a 40% discount with this link.
More things to do in Waipu
- Discover the region’s Scottish history at the Waipu Museum.
- Pay your respects at the war memorial monuments.
- Drink a coffee at the Waipu Cove Cafe, or any of the cafes in town.
- Learn to surf. While you can surf at Waipu beach, depending on your lesson time, you can get up to 50% off surf lessons at nearby Te Arai.
- Visit Piroa Falls, often called the Waipu Waterfall.
- Look for New Zealand birds (Dotterels, Oyster Catchers, and Fairy Terns) near the mouth of the Waipu River.
Don’t miss the sunset
Whether you spent the day relaxing at the beach or exploring Waipu Caves, watching the sunset over the ocean is the perfect way to end the day.
Where to stay in Waipu
We stayed at Camp Waipu Cove. With something to suit everyone’s taste, I think it is the ideal place to stay if you want to be at the beach. We stayed in a simple cabin. We had beds and a sink. And, while not in our cabin, the shared facilities were quite close.
The range of options goes both ways, from rustic cabins with private baths to campsites. The friends we travelled with love to tent camp, so we each had what we needed. Check price and reviews at Camp Waipu Cove.
Auckland to Waipu
Waipu Cove and Waipu Cave are great destinations on their own, or they can be part of a larger adventure. We have done both. The drive from Auckland to Waipu is just under two hours, while the drive from Whangarei to Waipu is only 40 minutes. Our favourite several days self-drive excursion is from Auckland to the top of the North Island.
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels) or BookABatch (self-contained).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Campervans or Motorhomes: we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we love the private guides at Tours by Locals
- Travel Insurance: our go-to is World Nomads*.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
*World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
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Have you explored Waipu Caves?
For more on New Zealand, start here: New Zealand Road Trips: Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures, or you might like …
Faith Coates
Another one of a thousand reasons to make it back to New Zealand one of my favourite countries in the world. Not sure about the caving for me personally but my husband is all in lol.
Wednesday Elf
Rhonda, you do find the most interesting places to visit. I don’t do caves (too ‘closed in’ for me), but your photos are fantastic and other members of my family would enjoy Waipu Caves. The beach, however, would be right up my alley. Thanks for another fascinating virtual tour.
Amy Franks
You got some good shots, we found it very hard last time we were there.
Rhonda Albom
I have to credit my equipment. My camera does a great job in low light and the distortion I do get can be removed in Lightroom.
Brandon @ Green Global Travel
Stunning pictures. Waipu Cove seems like a great place to go to have an amazing adventure.
Shere
We heard about the caves when we were in Whangarei, but we didn’t have tims (it was our first night in NZ so we were also very tired)
Margherita @The Crowded Planet
Love this beach, and the shot of your friend doing the hair flip. I can never get it right!
NatureFootstep Photo
that´s a nice cave. Love the green sheet on the stalactites. 🙂
Steve
Nice pictures of the beautiful ocean water!
Steve
Leovi
Beautiful pictures, beautiful lights in this beautiful beach!
Crystal
Sounds like the perfect weekend! Thanks for sharing the #take12trips idea, I think I’ll have to start doing this!
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Waipu Cove looks so beautiful and inviting. My tween and nieces love doing that hair flip thing too in the ocean. They call it their mermaid shots 🙂 This looks like a wonderful way to spend the weekend.
[email protected]
Love the azure blue sea and that hair flick photo is stunning!
Corinne
Rhonda, As I sit inside my house with the freezing weather outside, I just wish I could be camping and beaching with you guys.
I am truly inspired! Thanks, Corinne
budget jan
Love the long hair flip. It is lovely when we find somewhere close that we never knew about. The water was certainly a beautiful colour the day you were there!
Rhonda Albom
I agree. I love finding cool spots not too far away. We were lucky our friends invited us, or we may never have found it.
SJ
Just love that photo of the hair flick – I would never be so quick as to catch that!
Stephanie
What great friends! 😉 and love the photo of the long hair flick.
Steve
Wow, looks stunning. I need to start saving and get to New Zealand.
Lyn @thetravellinglindfields
Waipu Cove sounds lovely. We have just arrived home in Sydney from a two week trip to the North Island – New Zealand is a stunning country.
Rhonda Albom
Don’t know if you spent anytime north of Auckland, but there are some fabulous spot. Waipu Cove is just one of them.
Claudya Martinez
I’m fascinated and slightly terrified at the same time. The pictures are great.
Joyce
There is nothing like the beach.
Kate
Wow, your camera did really well with the lot light levels. Beautiful shots!
We’ve been in the Lava caves up in Oregon. Those were amazing.
Su-sieee! Mac
I enjoyed viewing the photos of your cave jaunt. Caves are fun in my book. Hopefully, I’ll get to explore more before I no longer can. 🙂
Take 25 to Hollister
Mama Zen
Beautiful shots!
posh
Wow- that is cool. I’ve never seen a ‘real’ cave like that before!
another jennifer
Gorgeous photos! I love going on adventures like this. Happy WW!
Cathy Kennedy
I would like to visit the inside of these underground caves, if I weren’t such a big scardy Cathy. In Kentucky, north of us is Mammoth State Park, which is home to the largest underground tunnels in the east (I think that’s right, if my memory serves me) and was used by both sides during the Civil War. You have to pay to tour this cavern, but that’s okay because you’d never get me to go inside even if it was free. I hate being confined too enclosed areas even if it’s a large space. Yeah, I’m strange. lol But…you’re experience is way cool and I loved visiting a place that I would never go expect from a safe distance like behind my computer screen. 😀
Nancy
Beautiful images of subjects that can be technically challenging for photographers,
Indrani
Amazing formations inside the caves!
Must be very exciting!
Lisa
We have just put this on our “to do list”. Hubby is a born and bred Aucklander yet doesn’t think he has ever been there so is quite excited about it.
Felicia
they looks fascinating and mysterious.
Sheryl at LibertyHillHouse.com
I LOVE “the light at the end of the tunnel.” What a fantastic photograph.
Joyce
That looks like fun. I would love to go camping with you.
Janie Junebug
I am afraid of caves or other enclosed spaces, but I enjoyed your photos. Caving is not for me.
Love,
Janie
Alissa Apel
Very fun! I love caves!
We went to one in South Dakota. Isaak asked where the opening was? I told him, “Right there!” I pointed at their funky looking trash can. He was 5 then. He was looking in it. I was laughing so hard, and the tour guide had a puzzled look on her face until I told her what I said. She burst out laughing after that.
Theresa
I think a trek through some caves would be so fascinating! And that sounds like an awesome camera having that high of an ISO. I don’t think my Nikon goes anywhere near that!
YAM
Hari OM
I suspect we have similar ‘comfort zones’! Love what you got though… the wonderment of digital is the ability to take stuff that would have been next to impossible on film… YAM xx
Robyn Engel
Looks like quite an adventure. Caves both fascinate and scare me. Glad you braved it so we could all enjoy.
Be well, Rhonda.
Comedy Plus
Caves are fun to visit. I’ve visited many here in our area. Always most interesting.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. ♥♥♥
Patrick Weseman
Wow, what amazing pics. You always have the best pics and travels.
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/02/going-to-travel-like-it-is-1895.html
Angela Thompson
I love caves–and I am actually writing a mini bucket list of caves that I hope to visit someday. These are beautiful!
Rhonda Albom
I am a bit of a wimp in caves. This is only of the second I can remember entering without a guide, and the last one I only took about 10 steps into before turning around. I won’t go through water or anywhere I have to squeeze.
Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk)
Can I confess that I am very very scared of caves. They give me the creeps. I might have watched too much cave horror movies but this one looks open enough for someone like me.
And your camera is amazing! I already am having a hard time taking photos at night but these photos are so good!
Rhonda Albom
It’s open enough in spots, but really tight in other spots – those were the areas I skipped. My camera is a mirrorless, micro 4/3.
Jay @CraftySpices
These caves look so interesting, we love these types of adventure trips. I hope you had a wonderful time and that you are up for a great week.
Nick Wilford
I haven’t been caving for a very long time. I have been in some caves in New Zealand (in a rubber ring through underground streams) but not these ones.
However, stalagmites do not hang from the ceiling. A stalactite has to hold on tight, a stalagmite might reach the ceiling.
Sorry, I couldn’t let it pass! They are great pictures – it looks otherworldly. 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Beautiful cave. I wouldn’t go beyond my comfort zone either.
stevebethere
That looks fascinating I can imagine it to be quite scary too.
Have a cavetastic week Rhonda 🙂
ladyfi
What a great place!