The Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre is the area's museum devoted to the geology, ecology, and human history of the Waitomo cave systems. It's a good place to start a visit, particularly if you want to understand how the limestone landscape was formed, what lives in the caves, and how indigenous Maori interacted with the area before European settlement.
Interactive displays explain the remarkable life cycle of the glowworm — from egg to larva to adult — and the cave's geological formation over 30 million years. The centre is located right in the village, adjacent to the main cave entrance. Entry is included with most Waitomo Caves tour tickets.