Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand

1.   Spellbound Cave
2.   Waipu Caves
3.   Waitomo Caves
4.   Abbey Caves
5.   Blue Lake
6.   Mangapohue Natural Bridge
7.   Pukekura Park
8.   Hokitika Glow worm dell
9.   Ruakuri Bush Walk
10. Te Anau Glowworm cave house

Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand are natural wonders that one can find on their trip to the country. Some of the popular caves where one can explore the glow worms are Waipu caves which are best known for the Arachnocampa Luminosa, an exotic species of glowworm. Additionally, Abbey caves are popular for their limestone deposits and Hokitika Glow worm dell can be visited to experience the rare species of glow worm namely fungus gnat.

The internal beauty of these caves can be experienced through several wild excursions and popular water activities like kayaking, canoeing and black water rafting. You can explore New Zealand Glow Worm Caves to foresee the beauty of these insects. Glow worms are something that one wishes to experience while on their New Zealand trip, apart from its landscapes and natural beauty.

Here is the list of best glow worm caves in New Zealand:

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01

Spellbound Cave

Image Credit : glowworm.co.nz
  • The Spellbound Cave is an excellent place for witnessing glow worm’s magnificence

  • Inside this cave, you can experience exhilarating black water rafting

  • Only a certain number of people can explore the interiors of this New Zealand Glow Worm Cave because of it being a narrow site.

  • Walk along the caves to explore the internal rocky settlements 

  • Within one hour, one can tour the cave and grasp the spectacular beauty of the glow worms

    Location:
     334 Bodies Road, Waitomo Caves 3981, New Zealand

02

Waipu Caves

Image Credit : facebook.com/moonguides/
  • Waipu cave is popular for its enthralling beaches, Karst landscapes, and Piora falls

  • This cave is wet as it has waist-deep water hence one has to be very careful while walking inside

  • One can explore the caves for the fossil invertebrates of birds, amphibians, reptiles and bats

  • The Waipu Cave can be reached by car in only three hours travel time from Auckland.

  • The best time to visit this Glow Worm Cave in New Zealand is either in the early morning or late afternoon to ensure fewer crowds

    Location: Waipu 0582, New Zealand

03

Waitomo Caves

Image Credit : waitomo.com/
  • It is home to a famous glow worm species, Arachnocampa Luminosa found especially in New Zealand

  • In order to experience the dark waters, visitors to the New Zealand Glow Worm Caves can participate in black water rafting inside the caves

  • Explore the beautiful Marokopa Falls and limestone Mangapohue bridge while walking along the thirty year old Waitomo caves

  • The limestone settlements beneath the ocean have faded out thus illuminating the area with a soft glowy light

  • Visitors can also book sessions for boating, Kayak or super scenic adventure walk to explore the area

    Location: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand

04

Abbey Caves

Image Credit : facebook.com/UNILADTech
  • The Abbey cave is the home to three sub-caves i.e. organ cave, ivy cave and middle glow worm cave

  • The Organ cave is the first stoppage in the Abbey caves that provides an enchanting experience of forest and greenery

  • The middle Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand are the hub of the cluster of glow worms that light up the dark cave

  • Explore the Ivy cave which is the hub of limestone rocks that form a riverbed. 

  • You can also find a lot of limestone rocks of different shapes and sizes

  • In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in activities like rock climbing, trekking, and the exploration of the Abbey caves.

    Location: 120 Abbey Caves Road, Abbey Caves, Whang?rei 0175, New Zealand

05

Blue Lake

Image Credit : facebook.com/nzinsweden/
  • It is the smallest freshwater lake in the Nelson Lakes National Park situated in the Southern Alps

  • The lake found its water source in the Sabine river that flows past the national park

  • Getting the thrill of a lifetime is as easy as diving into the blue lake, which goes as deep as 8 and a half metres.

  • The adjacent New Zealand Glow Worm Caves near the blue lake are 12,000 years old and host a lot of glow worms

    Location: Tasman Region, South Island

06

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

  • One can explore the Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand for the beautiful limestone and cluster of glow worms

  • The nearby sights of Marokopa Falls, Piripiri Cave and Opakapaka Park are also some places you can’t miss

  • The natural bridge is situated at a height of 17 metres on the limestone arch

  • A trek down Te Anga Road from Waitomo Village will take you the 25 kilometres to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge

  • The natural bridge and gorge, stalactite-like formations, farms, and fossilised oysters can all be reached on foot in about twenty minutes.

    Location: Waitomo Village, New Zealand

07

Pukekura Park

Image Credit : en.wikipedia.org
  • Pukekura park has been declared the National Botanical park of New Zealand

  • This garden is also home to the famous Tea House on the Pukekura main lake

  • The Natural festival of lights is annually celebrated here from mid-December to New Zealand

  • The park contains a diverse range of native and exotic plants that can be explored while walking

  • One can use row boats to explore the water bodies of these Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand

    Location: 10 Fillis Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand

08

Hokitika Glow Worm Dell

Image Credit : hokitika.org
  • Explore the rare species of glow worms, and fungus gnats in this New Zealand Glow Worm Cave

  • One can also go mountain biking to explore the limestone deposits around the caves

  • You can also explore the natural heritage like Lake Kaniere, Mahinapua, Ross water race walkway, and swimmers wilderness trail surrounding the cave

  • The park is famous for its serene beaches, freshwater lakes and splendid mountain views

  • Another major attraction of this cave is Westland Industrial Heritage Park which displays the rich industrial history of the place

    Location: State Highway 6, Hokitika 7810, New Zealand

09

Ruakuri Bush Walk

Image Credit : facebook.com/WaikatoNZ
  • Among all the New Zealand Glow Worm Caves, Ruakuri Bush Walk is famous for a forested gorge, naturally sculpted cliffs and low limestone arches

  • After a five-minute walk, one can explore the network of limestone bluffs and outcrops

  • The best thing about this cave is the glow worm that illuminates the cave during the night

  • You can explore the birds like Kereru (native wood pigeon), Tui, Piwakawaka (fantail) and Tauhou. Karearea (New Zealand falcon)

  • Take a walk inside the ruakuri bush walk to explore the enthralling glow worms and cave formation

    Location: 205 Ruakuri Road, Waitomo Caves 3985, New Zealand

10

Te Anau Glowworm cave house

  • Te Anau is one of those Glove Worm Caves in New Zealand which is situated past an underground stream that shimmers and glows with millions of glow-worms

  • It is also home to an extensive and giant network of limestone caves

  • Explore the western shores of Lake Te Anau to experience the majestic water and ethereal atmosphere

  • The limestone buildup around the caves is almost 12,000 years old

  • One can explore the caves and go through all the major detailing in around three hours

  • Various boat rides are available to experience the majestic hidden grotto that is inhabited by hundreds of glowworms

    Location: 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9679, New Zealand

People Also Ask About New Zealand

  1. Why are Glow worm caves so famous?

    The Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand are famous for their population of Arachnocampa Luminosa, a species of worm that glows in the dark. They are also known for their underground river system, which looks gorgeous in the luminescent light. With the addition of kayaking, blackwater rafting, and canoeing in these stunning caves, they are unmissable.
  2. What time of year do glow worms come out?

    The larvae of the glow worm hatch during the winter months between December to March. All four stages of a glow worm's life cycle take roughly 10-11 months to complete. The glow worm season is during the warmer months of the year. They are usually found in the areas that are wet areas and caves.
  3. Which are the best places to visit in New Zealand?

    Popular New Zealand Glow Worm Caves are Queenstown, Arrowtown, Rotorua, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Waiheke Island, Franz Josef Glacier, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, Lake Tekapo and Marlborough.
  4. Are there glow worms in Auckland?

    Yes, there are a lot of places where one can find glow worms in Auckland. The popular places include The Waitomo Caves, Nikau caves, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, and Waikato are the best places to explore glow worms.
  5. What are the other best things to do in New Zealand?

    • Milford Sound
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Christchurch
    • Abel Tasman National Park
    • Hawke’s Bay
    • White Island, Whakaari
    • Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
    • Hobbiton Village
    • Auckland
    • Piha Beach
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