ii_cscs_ii Posted August 28, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Hello everyone, First time poster here, hope you lovely people can help. We’re booked for our first cruise with our two young kids and my parents (6 in total) to NZ in November with Princess. We had wanted to book their shore excursion to see the Glow Worms which goes from Auckland, but it seems it’s booked out already so now we’re looking for other tour companies that would depart from auckland. The majority I found depart from Tauranga, however we plan to visit the Geothermal areas from that port. Can anyone recommend any tours that will depart from Auckland? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markanddonna Posted August 28, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 28, 2018 We were in Auckland for three days and used Kiwi Fun Tours for Hobbiton but booked through Viator. Viator has the tours you are looking for: https://www.viator.com/New-Zealand/d24-ttd They even have one that combines the caves and Hobbiton. I'm not a LOTR fan, but LOVED Hobbiton! https://donnagawell.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2151&action=edit If you are interested in more of Auckland, check out my website under Travel to Europe and Australia for New Zealand. We LOVED the museum in Auckland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradUT Posted August 28, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Here’s a tour from Auckland to the Waitomo Glow Worm Cave, but it may not be feasible (depending on the hours your ship is on port) since it departs at 7:30 am. https://www.intercity.co.nz/tours/waitomo-caves-tour/ Also, note that the drive from Auckland to the Waitomo Cave is about 3 hours each way, so you are spending 6 hours on a bus for a 45-minute Cave tour. I have been to Waitomo twice and enjoyed it, but each visit was part of a self-drive tour around the North Island. I would not have spent 6 hours on a bus for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ii_cscs_ii Posted August 28, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Thanks for the replies. We are trying to decide if the glow worms are worth visiting as well for a 6hr return ride. Especially with young kids. Would it be too much time spent on a bus? Are they really spectacular? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradUT Posted August 28, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 28, 2018 They are like looking at lots and lots of miniature stars in a close-up sky, so it’s cool. But I definitely would not say it’s spectacular enough to warrant a 6 hour bus ride, especially with children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ii_cscs_ii Posted August 28, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Thanks, we might skip the caves until next time when we fly in and self drive. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairknill Posted August 31, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Hello everyone, First time poster here, hope you lovely people can help. We’re booked for our first cruise with our two young kids and my parents (6 in total) to NZ in November with Princess. We had wanted to book their shore excursion to see the Glow Worms which goes from Auckland, but it seems it’s booked out already so now we’re looking for other tour companies that would depart from auckland. The majority I found depart from Tauranga, however we plan to visit the Geothermal areas from that port. Can anyone recommend any tours that will depart from Auckland? Thanks in advance! A bloody long time to spend on a bus from Auckalnd guys. With traffic 3 hours could be a bit lite in timings also. A great site to see but not for at least 6 hours of bus travel. Better sights to see in and around Auckland perhaps Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocrimlaw Posted September 1, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 1, 2018 A bloody long time to spend on a bus from Auckalnd guys. With traffic 3 hours could be a bit lite in timings also. A great site to see but not for at least 6 hours of bus travel. Better sights to see in and around Auckland perhaps Sent from my iPhone using Forums Waitomo are the premiere glow worm caves from what I understand, but there are some other ones closer to Bay of Islands if that is on your itinerary, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted September 7, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 7, 2018 We did the Glow Worm Caves but at the Bay of Islands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocrimlaw Posted September 7, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 7, 2018 We did the Glow Worm Caves but at the Bay of Islands. Those are different glowworm caves that are near the Bay of Islands, and supposedly not as good as the ones at Waitomo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted September 7, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 7, 2018 I would have to look back in my album to see which ones we did. It was off the Radiance so a ship Tour during our 2014 trip to Sydney for the NZ cruise. Photo says Kawiti Glow Worm. https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/kawiti-caves-waiomio-caves/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted September 30, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 30, 2018 We agree that although Waitamo is nice, it is not worth 6 hours of round trip driving. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilybob Posted October 1, 2018 #13 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Agree with others that it is too long a drive to the caves. The Aukland Museum is great with a lot of things to keep all ages entertained if you are looking for an alternative..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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