Ruakuri Cave, Show cave in Waitomo, New Zealand.
Ruakuri Cave is a show cave in Waitomo featuring extensive limestone formations across multiple levels of chambers and passages. Underground rivers flow through the system, creating intricate natural galleries and varied rock formations.
Local Māori discovered the cave between 400 and 500 years ago when wild dogs were found near its entrance. This early encounter made it a significant place in the region's history.
The original cave entrance serves as a sacred burial site for Māori people, so visitors use a new spiral entrance built to honor this tradition. This respect for ancestral spaces shapes how the site is experienced today.
Guided tours are available throughout the year on well-maintained walkways inside the cave. Modern lighting and stable pathways make navigation straightforward for most visitors.
This is the only wheelchair-accessible cave system in the Southern Hemisphere, made possible by a spiral drum entrance built in 2005. This design choice allows visitors with varying mobility needs to explore the interior.
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