How to get to Down to Earth

Where are we?

Down to Earth is at 1199 Oparure Road in the Waitomo District.

The easiest way to get to us is by car, campervan, motorbike, RV, ute, pretty much anything that has a motor and wheels. You can drive directly to our farmhouse at 1199 Oparure Road, and park your vehicle free of charge while you take your cave tour.

We're roughly a 25-minute drive from Waitomo Caves Village and a cool 20 minutes from Te Kuiti. Quick tip if you're coming from the North (like from Otorohanga) – keep your peepers peeled for Oparure Road, not Waitomo Caves Road. You'll cruise past the intersection with Waitomo Caves Road (Highway 37), but stay the course, and you'll spot Oparure Road a bit further down the line.

If you plan to follow your GPS please read this!

If you’re using a GPS, and if you program in our official address (1199 Oparure Road, Waitomo District or Te Kuiti depending on your GPS system), it’s very likely your GPS will take you past our gateway and our signs, and you’ll end up about half a kilometre too far along Oparure Road.

We don’t know why, but most GPS’s don’t know where we are! So here’s our advice: Keep your eyes peeled for our signs, you can always rely on them when technology fails!

Approximate travel times

• 25 minutes from Waitomo Caves Village
• 20 minutes from Te Kuiti
• 25 minutes from Otorohanga
• 1 hour from Hamilton
• 2 hours and 40 minutes from Central Auckland
• 2 hours and 30 minutes from Auckland Airport
• 2 hours from Taupo
• 2 hours from Rotorua

Directions

We are 12kms west on Oparure Road, from the turn off on State Highway 3. Once on Oparure Road keep driving and you’ll see the Down to Earth (or Glowing Adventures) sign. The road is sealed/asphalt all the way.

From Waitomo Caves Village

Follow Fullerton Road to the end, turn right onto Oparure Road, then follow Oparure Road until you find us. Driving time is approximately 25 minutes.

From North (via Otorohanga)

Head South on State Highway 3 from Otorohanga and stay on State Highway 3 (go straight on and don’t turn right at the intersection with signposts pointing to Waitomo Caves) until you reach the signposts for Oparure. Turn right onto Oparure Road and follow it for 12km until you find us. Driving time is approximately 25 minutes from Otorohanga.

From South (via Te Kuiti)

Follow State Highway 3 North from Te Kuiti until you reach the signposts for Oparure. Turn left onto Oparure Road and follow it for 12km until you find us. Driving time is approximately 20 minutes from Te Kuiti.

Transport options

We're a small company so, unfortunately, we can't offer pick-ups. But don't sweat it! There are some awesome local transport operators right here in Waitomo, ready to swoop in depending on where you're hanging out.

If you're kicking it in Te Kuiti township, give Val Taxi Services a ring at 07 8786265 or 021 1543618.

If you’re chilling in Otorohanga or Te Awamutu townships, give Kiwitown Taxi Services a call on 027 339 6087 or email them on Waitomotaxi@gmail.com.

And if you're a bit further out in the Waitomo District without wheels, the Waitomo Information Centre is your go-to for the latest on bus timetables.

So, happy travel planning, and we're all revved up to give you the grand tour of our little slice of paradise soon!