A NEW HIDDEN WONDER
Opened in December last year, Starburst Cathedral marks the latest milestone for Waipu Caves Farm Park.
The privately owned conservation and recreation park first opened to the public in February 2023 with its centrepiece, the Milky Way Glowworm Cave, which had remained a secret for over a century. Now, the newest glowworm cave sensation in New Zealand, Starburst Cathedral, offers visitors two immersive cave experiences beneath the limestone landscape.
Starburst Cathedral is the largest chamber in the cave system, providing a 90-minute guided tour rich in storytelling and geological insight. The original Milky Way Tour runs for 60 minutes, with both experiences featuring easy-access concrete paths and a strong educational focus.
The opening of Starburst Cathedral was celebrated with a live music concert inside the cave, with similar events to be held several times a year. The next performance is scheduled for Saturday 14 March and is limited to 65 guests.
The park has attracted international attention through TV and film features, and will soon host a New Zealand production. Owners Ian and Cindy Fox have carefully developed infrastructure to support filming, camping, and day visitors, fulfilling their original vision of creating a space where humans and the environment can thrive in harmony.
Above ground, the park is also becoming a popular destination for rock climbing and bouldering. Plans are underway for cave yoga and meditation sessions beneath the glowworms, alongside cross-country running and walking events for schools and the wider community.
Waipu Caves Farm Park is a shining example of how conservation and recreation can truly go hand in hand. Funded through tourism, pest control initiatives are helping native forests, streams, and cave ecosystems flourish, with threatened species returning in increasing numbers.
Visitors from near and far can now explore two of New Zealand’s most impressive glowworm caves – and much more – at Waipu Caves Farm Park.