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Waipu Caves Road, Waipu, New Zealand, Photo by Casey Horner on
Top 10 Famous Facts about Waipu Caves
Waipu caves in New Zealand are located on the north island. It is famous for the presence of glow worms which makes it rival the celebrated Waitomo caves. The glow worms have made Waipu caves an attraction in New Zealand and almost on everyone’s backlist.
Although there are a lot of places you can spot glow worms, it is difficult to find them in large numbers in one location. So Waipu caves make the experience memorable because of the huge amounts of glow worms. This makes Waipu caves the best place to see glow worms in New Zealand.
The following are ten famed truths about Waipu caves that you may need to know to expand your knowledge base. You will also find the information useful if you’re planning to visit the landmark.
1. Waipu caves are free to visit
A man standing at the entrance of cave Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, New Zealand, Photo by David Sutton on
New Zealand has Waitomo caves which are the far most popular place to see glow worms but at a cost starting from $55 a person. A similar tour in Waipu caves gives the same experience and is free for public viewing any time of the year.
2. Waipu caves stalactites and stalagmite ceiling is breathtaking
Waipu caves have stalactites hanging from the ceiling and to the left of the entrance of the cave are enormous stalagmites. This is found when you venture into the first chamber of the cave and the view of stalactites and stalagmites is always stunning.
3. Waipu caves have countless glow warms
Waipu cave is famous for the galaxy of glow worms. Glow worms are a special kind of bioluminescent insect that lives only in caves in New Zealand and Austria. You will notice these beetles as you explore the caves.
Find the glow worms after you pass the second chamber of the cave. Then into the third climbing up in the slick muddy banks. That far you will have descended deep into the belly of the cave passage where you will find the galaxy of glow worms dangling from the ceiling.
4. Waipu caves are unregulated and unguided
Pluto’s Cave, Montague, United States, Photo by Ian Chen on
Waipu caves have no guidelines set to determine operations in the area. They are also unguided meaning it’s always open for visiting. Visitors are responsible for their safety. Hence it鈥檚 better to check the weather before visiting and make sure you are not on a lone adventure in the caves.
5. The Waipu caves are wet and slippery
The Waipu caves are usually wet and slippery and may sometime need to wade through water up to waist height. So appropriate gear is important while planning a visit to the site.
6. Remains of fossils may be found in the Waipu caves
Remains of fossils may be spotted in the caves. Bones of bats, birds, amphibians, and reptiles may be found along with the remains of fossils invertebrates.
7. Waipu caves have no path or track
A man standing inside a cave surrounded by water in Yucatan, Mexico, Photo by
Jared Rice on
There is no particular path or track in the caves. You will be wading through water and even climbing over mud banks when necessary. But there is the presence of a shower outside that you can use to clean up once done with the tour.
8. Waipu caves site is important for geological studies
The Waipu caves have features of limestone landscape and weathered rocks. There are also depressions, sinkhole caves, and underground drainage. Karst /limestone landscapes are significant in the Maori culture. The limestone area is an important site for geological and geomorphologic studies. The cave is significant for geomorphology because they include the largest cave passage in the northland.
9. You need good footwear and a torch while exploring Waipu caves
Mojave Desert, United States, Photo by Joshua Sortino on
The Waipu caves are common for sinkholes and you need the correct footwear. A head torch is necessary as well when exploring the caves. Ensure to turn off the torch lights to make the most of the glow worm experience once you locate where they are.
10. Waipu caves are on North Island
Waipu cave is about three hours from Auckland by a car near the small town of Waipu. It is in the north and south of the bay of the island of New Zealand.
Waipu caves are a perfect sight to observe glow warms. Free to access by those interested. But the caves are not under strict directives and are unguided. So visitors are responsible for their safety. Thus the need to be careful and better still always explore the caves with someone not alone.
Its advised, to check the weather the week before because in case of rain the cave might be wet and slippery. Carry a good head torch on your tour of the caves and you must have good footwear.
Waipu caves have a lot of interesting features to explore but the most outstanding experience will be watching the glow worms. For those who may want to visit the caves above are the ten renowned realities about Waipu caves that you can look forward to.
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