Footwhistle Glowworm Cave - Footwhistle Glowworm Cave 637 Fullerton Road
Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours New Zealand | CaveWorld - Caveworld.co.nz
Escape the crowds and enjoy magical Waitomo glowworm cave tours with exclusive access to the Footwhistle Cave. We specialize in fully guided small group and private tours. Book online today.
About Footwhistle Glowworm Cave
Footwhistle Cave
Footwhistle Cave (also known to local maori as Te Anaroa Cave) was officially opened on 1st July 1992 after a lot of hard work and development. This was a dream come true for founding cousins JoJo Davis and Richard Carnachan.
Their vision was to provide an adventure experience, with a local flavour to visitors to the Waitomo Caves area. Caveworld Ltd continues to deliver a local flavor to it’s experiences and continues to be a locally owned and operated company. The company prides itself on offering an authentic cave experience.
Whenua / The Land
The Footwhistle Cave lay’s beneath pristine native forest that has been vested into Queen Elizabeth II Trust. Vesting this area in trust places a covenant over the replanted native area, so it can never be cleared. The native forest that surrounds the streams, entering the cave was originally cleared as farmland, but has been replanting back to the original native, this was started 26 years ago. The native forest not only help’s with erosion control but also provides a rich habitat for insects. The insects breed in the stream banks and pools, their larva are washed into the cave, they naturally hatch in the cave and provide a food source for the Glow-worms. The Glow-worm populations increase as their food increases so the planting and protection of the streams outside the cave plays a crucial role in sustaining our amazing Glow-worm displays. This tranquil native forest is also home to abundant native bird life.
Tangata Whenua / People of the Land
Kyle Barnes and Trieste Henry are the Kaitiaki (guardians) or owners of the land directly above the Footwhistle cave. Both call this area home and have been a part of this land since their childhood. Both are actively involved and value being part of a real New Zealand small community.
Our Values
Manaakitanga / Hospitality
When you visit Footwhistle you will immediately notice the space and time. Small groups and limited numbers offer’s an old school warmth and kindness you would expect when visiting Whanau/ family. We invite you to come with us, journey underground and observe the Wairau/soul of our land.
Kaitiakitanga/Guardianship
Footwhistle has been developed by Mother Nature over millions of years. It’s humbling to be the temporary guardian of such a precious resource. Everything we do from our solar powered lights, our replanting of native tree’s to our small group sizes, allows us, not only to operate in a sustainable way, but to preserve this resource for future generations to marvel at.
The full Te Anaroa cave system is one of the largest in Waitomo and stretches underneath 3 properties.
Trieste’s step father JoJo Davis resided on the neighbouring property and it is his family land. JoJo had a vision to open this cave to the public as an adventure tour, along with JoJo, Trieste’s brothers, Kyle and his father, all played a part in opening this cave in 1992 as a Blackwater Rafting venture. This adventure tour operated through much of the extensive cave system until it was closed in 2018.
Contact Footwhistle Glowworm Cave
Address : | Footwhistle Glowworm Cave 637 Fullerton Road, Waitomo Caves 3981, New Zealand |
Phone : | π +787877 |
Postal code : | 3981 |
Website : | http://www.caveworld.co.nz/ |
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Gareth Orme on Google
β β β β β Friendly, informative, fascinating! Adjusts the trip for the group. So personable. THIS is how you want to see Waitomo caves!!
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Aneesha O.U on Google
β β β β β Hi. This is Aneesha & family here to put in a good word about our guide, Collin who toured us inside the waitomo caves. She was quite articulate, convivial and her demeanour was so beguiling that she managed to Keep us on the hook and reply to our queries. One of the best tour guide I ever met.
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gwynner Diana on Google
β β β β β People talk about sustainable tourism, but Footwhistle Cave offers something much better. The owners have restored the native bush along the banks of the stream which descends into the cave. The waters of the stream are clearer as a result, and the glowworm populations are steadily increasing. It was a privilege to view such wonder, knowing that we were also supporting a family in their ongoing labour of love, enhancing the beauty and ecological health of this very special place. We took the evening tour (just two of us plus our guide) so were able to enjoy the glowworms in the cave and also in the adjacent native bush. Magnificent, heartwarming, unforgettable. One of the best tours I've ever taken anywhere.
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Kimberly Crawford on Google
β β β β β Ross was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly.
The tour was easy for anyone to do, just walking and some stairs all dry as well so you won't get wet.
I really liked how they slowly got your eyes to adjust to the light through the tour so that you get some really amazing views of the glow worms.
The kawakawa tea at the end is also a nice experience.
Overall a really lovely way to see the glow worms.
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Harumi Sano on Google
β β β β β It was lovely experience, our tour guide colleen was very caring and gentle person, really enjoyed whole experience.
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Vivek Masoji on Google
β β β β β The experience was amazing. Going down the cave and inside the cave. We didn't even realize when the tour was over! Cheers to Ross the boss for amazing conversation and information and not to forget the kawakawa tea at the end.
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Christopher Mende on Google
β β β β β A great experience with personal touch and small groups. Good for all ages if you're ok with a few stairs. Glow worms, stalagmites/tites and some Moa bones to see as well.
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Leo DuBois on Google
β β β β β When my wife and daughter first suggested a glow worm tour I shook my head in disbelief. However, after experiencing the Footwhistle Glowworm tour with the amazingly hilarious and knowledgeable Mr. Ross this became a memory I will never forget. Whenever I think of New Zealand, I think this tour, and, Big Bird B&B where Ross resides. This is the genuine New Zealand. A must-do experience. Aloha!
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