New Zealand is world renowned for its natural beauty and its breathtaking landscapes. No doubt the mystical surreal quality of its land is what enticed the makers of movies such as Lord of the Rings to film here. From the beautiful glacier covered alpine mountains to the striking coastline New Zealand offers travelers the best in natural beauty, but a relatively unknown natural wonder lies underground just a short drive outside of the busy city of Auckland. The Nikau Caves are a complex of natural limestone caves that have been carved out of solid rock by the movement of water and melting ice for a about a million years.
The caves are slightly off the beaten path, and are nestled in farming country on the west coast; however the natural beauty of this cave complex still manages to draw in thousands of tourists every year. Though the natural rock formations are breathtaking in themselves, what makes the caves really special is the presence of glow worms that illuminate the jagged rocks. It gives the caves an almost magical quality with the soft illumination of a million glow worms.
The trek through the caves demands an adventurous spirit as some areas are moderately difficult to cross and a stream which runs through the caves crosses hiking trail at one point and needs to be waded across. Rest assured though, the trek is definitely worth it, the giant rock formations which project down from the cavernous walls of the cave are like pre historic chandeliers and the illumination given by the glow worms accentuate this feeling.
The caves can be accessed by driving on the Waikato Highway for about one and a half hours from Auckland. The drive is pleasant and allows one the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of New Zealand’s west coast. The caves are especially popular among kids who are enamored by the glow worms and the adventurous trek, it is also ideal for team building exercises and tourists who want to experience something a little different to the usual tourist fare. The caves can easily be accessed from a hotel Auckland CBD. Staying at an Auckland hotel such as the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City also gives you the chance to experience the attractions in the city as well as those along the western coastline.
