Deep in the Fiordland wilderness lies one of New Zealand’s most mesmerizing natural wonders—the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
This underground labyrinth is illuminated by hundreds of twinkling glowworms which look like sparkling stars lighting up the dark cavern, and seeing them up close is an unforgettable, even meditative experience that feels like a glimpse into another world.
Visiting the Te Anau glowworm caves is one of the easiest activities to include on a New Zealand itinerary as it only takes a few hours, is not weather dependent and all ages are welcome, making this a must-do for those who find themselves on the South Island.
What is a glowworm?
A glowworm is the larval stage in the lifecycle of the fungus gnat, a two-winged insect found in New Zealand and Australia which thrives in damp, dark places where their light can attract food.
The mesmerizing blue-green light they emit is created by a chemical reaction in their digestive system, which interacts with oxygen to produce their signature glow. This bioluminescent display is not only beautiful but also essential for the glowworms’ survival, helping them lure unsuspecting prey like midges, stoneflies and sandflies.
The insects are drawn to the glowworms’ light, only to become ensnared in the sticky silk threads they hang from the cave ceilings which effectively serve as fishing lines.
How to get to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are only accessible via a scenic boat ride across Lake Te Anau, and are one of the most popular spots to see this natural phenomenon (those who don’t make it to the South Island can enjoy a similar experience up north, at the Waitomo and Tauranga caves).
It takes about two hours to drive to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves from Queenstown, and three hours from Wanaka– be sure to add in a bit of extra time to stop at the stunning lookout points along Lake Wakatipu.
READ MORE: 5 incredible New Zealand road trips on the scenic South Island
The adventure begins in the small town of Te Anau, which is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and part of a World Heritage Area best known as the home of Milford Sound. Tours depart from the RealNZ Visitor Centre on the lakefront, where guests board a comfortable catamaran for a 30 minute cruise to the caves with commentary along the way.
As you glide across the tranquil waters, soak in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and native forests. This boat ride is an experience in itself, providing the perfect introduction to the untouched beauty of Fiordland before the real adventure begins.
What to expect inside the glowworm caves
Once passengers disembark on the dock, they’re split into groups as only about a dozen people fit on the smaller boat that heads into the glowworm grotto.
The guides do a fantastic job of moving everyone around so there’s always something to do while waiting to head into the caves, like a nature walk or enjoying refreshments in the interpretive centre where there’s a video and additional information about the Te Anau glowworm caves.
The cave tour begins with a short explainer about what to expect inside, as well as some do’s and don’ts–namely, that no photography is allowed in the cave. Glowworms can control their light and will dim it if disturbed or threatened, which would ruin the experience for everyone.
So, take the opportunity to put your phone down for a bit and just enjoy it!
The experience has a somewhat claustrophobic start, with guests ducking under a low boulder to get into the cave. Don’t worry, it only takes a few seconds!
On the other side, a series of suspended walkways wind through the dimly-lit cavern, and guides stop intermittently to point out features like the small waterfalls gushing out of the limestone walls.
At the end of the passageway a couple of small boats await, which silently glide into the depths of the pitch-black cave where the glowworms are.
As you head deeper into the darkness, a galaxy of tiny blue-green lights begin to appear overhead, so close you could almost touch them.
The spectacular sight combined with the cloak of silence is an incredibly peaceful, almost otherworldly experience that leaves visitors in awe–in fact, my partner said this was his absolute favourite part of our entire two week trip around New Zealand!
History of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
This natural wonder is just a small section of the four-level, 6.7 km long Aurora Cave system which dates back an astounding 250,000 years. The section with the glowworms is about 12,000 years old, and still growing due to the flow of the Tunnel Burn.
The limestone rock is layered with sandstone, and sediments often contain significant fossil and archaeological deposits as they’re protected from inclement weather. The cave system houses native fish like rainbow and brown trout, longfin eels, and spider-like creatures called Harvestmen.
Unlike other caves in New Zealand, these are still geologically young and feature an active underground river carving its way through the rock, creating waterfalls and sculpted passageways.
Originally existing as part of Maori legend (Te Ana-au translates to ‘cave with a current of swirling water’), they were rediscovered in 1948 by explorer Lawson Burrows after years of searching for the hidden entrance. He recognized the site’s potential and started a tourism operation there shortly after.
Today, there are careful conservation and sustainability efforts to protect this delicate ecosystem. Noise and light pollution are limited to avoid disturbing the Te Anau glow worms, and only a set number of visitors are permitted each year.
Tips for visiting the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Since we were travelling with our five-month-old daughter, it was wonderful that we were able to bring her along for this activity. Kids are welcome to join, however it’s not recommended to bring babies inside the cave as it would disturb the glowworms if they cried.
Fortunately the RealNZ team has a great workaround for this where they split parents into separate groups, so each person can enjoy the caves undisturbed while the other one does the outdoor portion of the tour with the baby. Problem solved!
The tour takes less than three hours and runs throughout the day, so it’s really easy to work into a busy sightseeing schedule if you’re over-planners like we are.
Globe Guide tip: Our guide said he thinks the best slot to book is slightly before sunset. This way you still get to see the scenery on the boat ride over, then it’s darker inside the cave which makes the glowworms appear brighter.
- Weather also isn’t much of a factor since you aren’t exposed to the elements for the majority of it, so this is a fun activity rain or shine
- The sandflies can be absolutely atrocious, so be sure to use bug spray and cover yourself as much as possible.
- It’s a bit cool inside the cave, so layers are recommended.
Booking a Te Anau Glowworm Tour
Trips into the glowworm caves are run by RealNZ: we actually did a few other tours with them during our time in New Zealand, and were so impressed with how seamless each experience was and how organized they are–highly recommend! Guests can also get a 20% discount off a Milford Sound day cruise by booking through their RealNZ Combo Deals.
Book a glow worm tour with GetYourGuide or on Viator.
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves offer a rare chance to witness one of nature’s most enchanting spectacles in a setting unlike any other, and is well worth adding to your New Zealand itinerary.
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