Waitomo Caves
Getting there: Waitomo Caves
Waitomo is located 3 hours south of Auckland. About an hour south of Auckland on the banks of the mighty Waikato river is the small village of Taupiri. On the left hand side just before you enter the village is Taupiri Mountain. This is a very sacred place for many Maori tribes, particularly Tainui, the local Tangata whenua (people of the land). They believe that this mountain is the fin of Te Ika - a - Maui, the great fish of Maui (some tribes also believe the fin to be Mt Hikurangi on the East cape.) It is said to be the first part of the fish to break the water when Maui wrestled it (the North Island) from the bottom of the ocean.
On the side of Taupiri Mountain is a Maori cemetery where many of Maoris most respected people are laid to rest. Maori cemeteries are traditionally located on the side of hills or mountains. The more mana or status you have within the tribe the higher up the mountain you are buried. Not far from Taupiri is Ngaruawahia (pronounced nah-roo-ah-waa-he-ah). Ngaruawahia is the seat of the Maori Queen, Dame Te Arikuini Te Atairangikaahu at Turangawaewae Marae.
Turn off state highway one (SH1) at the BP station at the southern end of the town and follow the sign posts to Otorohanga, this will bypass Hamilton and save you a good 20 minutes. Follow the signs to Otorohanga, the run off to Waitomo is about 10km south on SH 3.
If you're heading to Waitomo from Raglan, an excellent way to get there is via the coast road around Mt Karioi. The gravel road winds it's away along a ridge past steep valleys and cliffs dropping to the pounding ocean below. There are some wicked views along the coastline, especially at Te Toto gorge, a sharp valley cut in to the mountain side. This stretch of road was used for many years as a special stage in the World Rally Championship rally of New Zealand. Turn left a Te Mata and about 4km along the road you'll find the Bridal Veil falls. A narrow stream of water cascades 56 metres over a bushy ledge. There are a number of viewing platforms, the 10 minute walk is quite pleasant. The best time to photograph the falls are in the late afternoon and early evening in summer when the light shines directly on them. From the falls, follow the signs to Otorohanga. If you've got time, pop in to Kawhia, it's a very cool little harbour side village. It's the perfect spot for fish and chips or an ice cream. Allow an 1 hour 45 minutes from Raglan to Waitomo.
Waitomo Caving Adventures
There are a number of cave trip operators in Waitomo. Waitomo Adventures are located in the heart of Waitomo Village (if that's what you call half a dozen buildings). They offer blackwater rafting trips and some wicked abseiling caving trips. Look for the blue information sign in the town centre.
Blackwater rafting (toobing) consists of floating down an underground stream on an inflated car tube, its a 'fairly passive' adventure. If you are looking for something a little more adventurous then the Haggas Honking Holes provides a thrilling experience abseiling down three levels including an underground water fall, before crawling, climbing, and squeezing your way back out again. They also operate a trip through St Benedict's cave which is regarded as being the most picturesque cave in New Zealand. Their pis de resistance is the Lost World. The Lost World starts with a 100m abseil through a collapsed cave into the mist and the thunderous roar of the cave stream below. They offer two options; ether climb 30m up a wire cavers ladder or spend several hours making your way up the underground stream back to the outside world.
Ruakuri: A Spiritual Journey
For those that prefer something a little less adventurous, there are more passive options such as Ruakuri. A Spiritual Journey. Laced with myth and legend, Ruakuri 'den of dogs' was first discovered by Maori some 400-500 years ago. It takes its name from the pack of wild dogs that used to inhabit the cave entranceway "Rua" meaning 'den' and "kuri" meaning 'dogs'. For over 18 years the cave has been closed to the public and has reopened again for daily guided walking tours. Enter the realms of an underground universe and listen to the ancient drum beat of the earth. Narrow winding corridors, hidden waterfalls and amazing cave decorations wait to be discovered. Discover the mystery on your "Spiritual Journey" through Ruakuri.
Links
Check out the following links:
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Story of Te-Ika a- Maui
Maui was an atua, a type of living god. He was the youngest of many brothers. They resented their younger brother as he was always causing trouble. The brothers refused to allow him to go fishing with them, so before they woke in the morning he sneaked out and hid beneath some covers in their waka (canoe). None the wiser to their extra cargo, they set off for the day. When they discovered Maui in the bottom of the boat there was much fighting and arguing they still refused to let maui fish. So Maui defiantly took a rock from the bottom of the waka and smashed it against his nose. He carried with him a magical weapon, the Jaw bone of his grandmother, which he bleed over and used as a magic hook. Before long he hooked a massive fish, the fight raged for hours before the fish finally gave up. Unable to move this giant fish Maui returned to the village for extra help. His brothers remained behind, they were bitterly jealous that he had once again become the centre of attention. They took to the fish with great knifes and tried to slice it up before he returned. The scars from this are the mountains and valleys of the North island, Te-Ika-a-maui, the fish of Maui
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