This gentle New Zealand pastime requires nothing more than a torch and a sense of adventure.
None of the world’s glowworms are actually worms. Mostly they are beetles—there’s roughly 3,000 species of bioluminescent beetles, with the majority being firefly beetles. One notable exception is Arachnocampa luminosa, found only in New Zealand and Australia. These glowworms are the larvae of a species of fly known as a fungus gnat.
Unlike most fungus gnats, arachnocampa luminosa are carnivorous. They congregate in dark, damp spots like caves and forests, where they dangle strands of sticky mucus to trap small insects attracted to the light emitted from their abdomen.
This bioluminescent light is produced through a chemical reaction between an enzyme and oxygen, emitting a blue-green glow. Remarkably, this process is very energy efficient, with 90% of the energy used in the reaction converted to light. Compare this to the latest LED lightbulbs, which convert only 20% of their energy to light.
Cave-dwelling glowworms emit light at any time of the day or night, while outdoor glowworms start glowing shortly after dark and usually shine all night.
When a glowworm is disturbed, its light often disappears as the larva slithers into a crevice to hide its glow. To approach glowworms, be quiet and turn off your torch.
Glowworms can be found throughout New Zealand, but the best way to see them is on a guided tour. Many glowworm habitats are only accessible through these tours, which are led by knowledgeable guides who offer insights into the biology and behaviour of these fascinating creatures.
The world-renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 180 kilometres north of New Plymouth, is one of the best places to see glowworms. Tours run for 45-minutes. Advance bookings are recommended.
Discover Auckland’s original city lights. The one-hour Auckland City Glowworm Tour led by Social Nature Movement offers an unforgettable experience in Pukekawa, a 100,000-year-old volcanic park—just a short 10-minute drive from the city centre.
With RealNZ, you'll travel by boat to explore the 12,000-year-old (young by cave standards) Te Anau Caves. Knowledgeable guides will teach you about the caves and the glowworms that inhabit them. Along the way, you'll journey through limestone passages, spotting whirlpools, underground waterfalls, and thousands of glowworms twinkling like the night sky.
On a Charleston Glowworm Cave Adventure, you’ll explore the Te Ananui caves just as the first cavers did: with only a torch and helmet. Your journey to one of the world’s best glowworm displays begins aboard the Rainforest Train, which winds through Nile River Canyon. Continuing through Paparoa National Park on the remote West Cost, you’ll stop at the historic gold mining town of Charleston. From here, you’ll leave daylight behind for an adventure of a lifetime.
