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Discover Waitomo has announced a New Zealand first with the introduction of a glowworm educational programme and a supercharging of visitors’ experience.

In the year Waitomo Glowworm Caves celebrates 125 years of guiding, Discover Waitomo are adding even more options for the inquisitive and daring visitor to ensure they get the most out of their time in the magical underground attractions.

Announced at this week's TRENZ tourism industry showcase, the Waitomo Glowworms Cave educational programme is aimed at international students aged between 12 and 21 years and aims to give an insight into many aspects of the limestone caves network found throughout the Waitomo region.

Presented by expert staff, programme themes include caves and their formation, glowworm biology and cave ecology, limestone landscapes, local Maori heritage and environmental cave management and infrastructure.

Thl Operations Manager Gordon Hewston explains “Waitomo staff are continually discovering, learning and awed by these amazing caves. We believe the new educational programme is a great way to share staff’s expert knowledge of the cave environment, history and insect life with international students who may not have these unique environments in their own country.”

Waitomo experts can also individualise the educational programme to suit educational institute requirements and interpretation is available, with advanced translations also accessible for teachers and guides.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves can cater lunch for up to 250 students with a choice of Japanese style bento lunchbox or a range of barbeque menus. The educational programme is the perfect complement to a tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Ruakuri Cave.

For adventure seekers of any age, The Middle-earth Trilogy Supercharged package is a self-drive ‘bucket list’ must. The experience includes visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, the picturesque setting for the Shire that featured in the Sir Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

The experience continues with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. tubing, jumping and splashing your way through mysterious Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo.

Located two and a half hours out of Auckland, Waitomo offers visitors a unique experience with eye-catching surrounds and activities to suit every travellers preference from abseiling a 35 metre Tomo, whizzing down the flying fox or being awe inspired floating under magical glowworms.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves’ amazing formations and thousands of sparkling glowworms, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and regularly features in global lists of the top caves in the world. For the more adventurous The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company also offers rafting tours sure to challenge and exhilarate.

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company is New Zealand's first black water rafting adventure operator. Click here to visit their website.

15th May 2014 - NEW ZEALAND TOURISM OPERATORS GET EXPERT INSIGHT INTO TARGET MARKETS

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