Aranui Cave - photos

Stalactites	Stalactites	Cavern	Stairway
Cave Entrance	Flowstone	Stalactites	Ruakuri Walk
Cave Route	Calcium Carbonate	Stalactites	Ruakuri Walk
Cave Weta	Flowstone	Flowstone	Rock Colours
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Waitomo Caves	Te Kuiti	Hamilton	Taupo

About Aranui Cave

Aranui Cave is reputably the most beautiful cave in the Waitomo Caves system which comprises around 300 caves. Of the three main caves open to the public, Aranui is the smallest. Tours of Aranui take about one hour to complete and access is gained by a short walk through a natural forest - the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve. The cave is located a short 5 minutes drive from the more famous Waitomo Glowworm Cave and associated Waitomo Visitor Centre.

Aranui still retains its natural entrance and with no river running through the cave, it has almost no wildlife. The exception being a colony of weta near the cave entrance. Weta are a giant ancient insects endemic to New Zealand. They are frightening appearance, but are relatively halmless. They prefer darkness and will wander out of the cave at night, so long as there isn't a full moon.

Outstanding features in Aranui Cave include white to silver coloured stalactites and stalagmites, white to brown flowstones, smaller caverns, and other beautiful rock formations.

More Photos
Small Cavern	Flowstone	Stairway	Stairway
Cave Wall	Flowstone	Cave Colours	Flowstone