Let New Zealand Glowworms
Fire Up Your Cave Exploration!

New Zealand glowworm caves are on most tramping must-see lists. A unique display of a host of tiny bright lights reflected onto the water from cave grotto ceilings reveal a marvelous show put on by thousands of small insects, commonly known as New Zealand glowworms, in the larvae stage of their life cycle. Only the sound of dripping water reminds the observer of being underground, and not under a star-filled night sky.

The identifying brilliant internal glow is produced through oxidation of the chemical lucifein in the digestive system of the insect. The purpose of the bug’s bioluminescence is to attract food, burn off waste, and deter other creatures from eating it.

The flies’ lights flicker in response to hunger, unusual noises, lighting conditions, temperature and humidity, thus simulating night sky lightning and luring other bugs into sticky silk “fishing lines” that dangle from the worm’s household ceiling nest – nature’s own pest control at work. In this way, New Zealand glowworms function like spiders in catching their prey.

One of the most popular New Zealand vacation attractions, New Zealand glowworms exist in the Waitomo Caves of the North Island’s King Country region, 2 hours driving distance from Auckland, which is world famous for this species unique to New Zealand. Tens of thousands of these creatures light up the walls, ceilings, and stalactites of the grotto. A river flowing into the caves supplies abundant food for the worms.

The caves were first explored in 1887 by a Maori chief and an English surveyor floating in a flax stem constructed raft. A breathtaking boat ride through the caves guarantees the New Zealand glowworms’ brilliant light show against a backdrop of dripping water.

Other cave experiences are found in different parts of New Zealand, ranging from commercialized tourist trips with lighting and constructed walkways to more adventuresome opportunities for inner tubes, rappelling, tight crawls, etc. Black water rafting provides popular inner tube floatation through interesting cave passages.

Visits to South Island caves reveal fewer stalactite and stalagmite formations and more water than their North Island counterparts. Te-Ana-Eu Caves are probably the most popular New Zealand glowworms south island attraction, with its nice waterfall and boat ride through a glow worm grotto. But the most standout feature among all of the caves is the glowworms themselves, with the best light shows concentrated in the Waitomo caves.

The incandescent display of these tiny insects creates an awesome sight that overwhelms the senses as you explore the silent underground darkness by foot or by boat. The light show is certain to fire up excitement in New Zealand outdoor activities and cave exploration.