Summary
- Glowworms in New Zealand are a unique species that produce bioluminescence to trap their prey. They can be found in caves or in sheltered banks with native bush.
- The Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the North Island and Lake Te Anua on the South Island are the two most famous locations to see glowworms in New Zealand.
- When visiting the glowworm caves, it is important to stay quiet as any loud sound can cause all the lights to go out. Pre-booking for tours is essential.
New Zealand is a fragment of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana and for millions of years, life has evolved isolation there. One of the bizarre species to have evolved in New Zealand is the New Zealand glowworm which produces blue-green bioluminescence to trap its prey.
They can be seen all over New Zealand, but the two most famous locations are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the North Island and Lake Te Anua on the South Island (Te Anua is a resort town perched on the shores of Lake Te Anua gazing across into Fiordland (New Zealand's largest national park). Te Anua is also the gateway to Milford Sound, the most dramatic fjord in New Zealand.
Where Is The Best Place To See Glow Worms In New Zealand?
Glowworms in New Zealand can be found in caves or in sheltered banks with native bush (so go walking in the evening, and it is sometimes possible to see them in the forest). They are a fungus gnat endemic to New Zealand and the bioluminescence is when they are in the larval stage.
They spend up to a year in the larval stage as adults. As adults, they are poor flyers and can't feed. They only live a few days in their adult stage.
These glowworms live in dark, cool, and damp places (caves are ideal). When traveling around New Zealand, ask the locals where it is possible to see the glowworms. The glowworm caves at Waitomo and Te Anua are famous and commercialized, but they are only two of the many places to see glowworms (and not all places are in caves).
- Species: Arachnocampa luminosa (only found in New Zealand)
When touring the glowworm caves, it is important to stay quiet. If someone coughs or makes a loud sound, all the lights will go out.
Like many activities and activities in New Zealand, seeing the glowworms is a year-round attraction.
What To Know About Visiting The North Island's Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are perhaps the most famous destination for seeing glowworms and the top cave destination in New Zealand (they are popular for black water rafting as well).
The Waitomo Caves have a modern visitor center and a range of organized tours are offered under the glowworms (including a boat ride). Tours take visitors to two or three cave levels. The lower level is marked by glowworms, stream passages, and the Cathedral - the tallest chamber of the caves.
There are a range of tour options that combine the glowworms with other experiences (such as seeing the iconic kiwi birds of New Zealand).
The standard tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves takes around 45 minutes. Visitors get to experience one of New Zealand's most famous natural attractions and hopefully see thousands of glowworms dangling from the cave ceiling. It's not every day the galaxy is seemingly visible from the dark recesses of a cave!
- Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Tours: Depart every 30 minutes
- Address: 39 Waitomo Village Rd, Waitomo Caves
- Duration: Approx. 45 Minutes
- Cost: $61 NZD ($36 USD)
Pre-booking for this tour is essential.
What To Know About Visiting The South Island's Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Te Anau's caves are not as large or famous as the Waitomo Caves of the North Island, but they offer something that their North Island counterpart doesn't. To get to the Te Anua caves, visitors need to take a boat ride across the pristine Lake Te Anua into Fiordland National Park where the forested mountains plummet down into the lake.
The tour of these caves includes a boat ride across the lake on a purpose-built scenic cruise vessel and a guided boat cave tour through the underground stream of the cave.
Visitors can select from the scheduled tours that leave at 10:15 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7 p.m. (tours may vary seasonally).
- Address: RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
- Duration: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes
- Cost: $99 NZD ($58 USD)
- Includes: Glowworm Cave Tour, Lake Cruise, Forest Walk
On arrival at the site, visitors learn about the geological history of the caves and more at the Cavern House. The caves are very young in geological terms (12,000 years).
The small boat tour in the caves navigates to a hidden silent grotto that hundreds of glowworms call home.
Te Anau is one of the most charming and timeless destinations in New Zealand. It is around 2.5 hours drive from the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown. See the other unique wildlife of New Zealand from albatross colonies, to penguins, to whales (Kaikoura is one of the best places to go whale watching for sperm whales).