Best Glow Worm Experiences in
New Zealand Caves, Tours & Locations
Explore New Zealand’s most enchanting glow worm experiences, from famous cave tours to hidden forest grottos. This guide highlights top locations across the country where you can witness these magical bioluminescent creatures in their natural habitat.
Step into New Zealand’s hidden world of glow worms—where nature lights up the dark with a soft, otherworldly glow. Found in both the North and South Islands, these glowing creatures can be seen in caves, forest trails, and riverbanks across the country. Whether you prefer a serene boat ride through underground caverns or a short bush walk to a glowing grotto, each experience offers a unique way to witness this natural wonder.
Below, we’ve outlined four of the most popular options to help you choose the perfect stop on your journey.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
9:00 am – 5:00 pm throughout most of the year
Standard Glowworm Cave boat tour: ~45 minutes
Essential small-group tour: ~90 minutes (includes 20 min boat ride)
Ruakuri Cave walking tour: ~75 minutes
Is booking required: Yes as it gets very busy
Location: Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located approximately 2.5 hours south of Auckland and 2 hours west of Rotorua.
-
You’ll walk about 250 metres (800 feet) total.
Includes some stairs (especially at the entrance and exit).
Surfaces are well-lit and paved, but may be slightly damp inside the cave.
The boat portion (the glowworm grotto) is seated and does not require walking.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
If mobility is a concern, the nearby Ruakuri Cave offers a more accessible option with a longer walk (1.6 km loop), but no stairs.
-
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour includes a guided walk through limestone chambers featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and the large Cathedral cavern. The tour ends with a short boat ride through a dark grotto illuminated by thousands of native glowworms. Guides provide information on the cave’s geology, formation, and the glowworms’ life cycle.
Our Overview
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are the most popular and well-known glowworm experience in New Zealand, attracting visitors from around the world. Located about 2.5 hours south of Auckland and 2 hours west of Rotorua, you can get there on a day tour from either city. The tour includes a guided walk through limestone chambers with stalactites, stalagmites, and the Cathedral cavern, followed by a quiet boat ride through a dark grotto lit by thousands of native glowworms. Due to its popularity, the site can be very busy, especially in peak travel seasons, so advance bookings are essential.
Spellbound
Opening Hours: Daily Tours
Essential Glowworm Tour: 90 minutes.
Glowworm and Cave Explorer: 150 minutes
Private Tour: 150 minutes and can be customised for special occasions or photography needs
Is booking required: Yes
Location: Spellbound Glowworm Caves are located approximately 2.5 hours south of Auckland and 2 hours west of Rotorua.
-
You’ll be walking on good-footing trails, over short distances, with no climbing or strenuous hiking involved — suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Just bring comfy shoes and you're set.share stories passed down from their ancestors. Te Rā Guided Experiences departs frequently throughout the day. Please note, the last entry into Te Puia is at 3.00pm each day.
Te Rā Guided Experience + Haka (Cultural Performance)
Includes an exhilarating cultural performance which takes place in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a Pōhiri (Traditional Māori Welcome), Waiata (Song), Mōteatea (traditional chant), Poi and Haka. After an action packed two-hours, come and try the fresh, locally sourced dining options at Hiakai Cafe or Pātaka Kai.
Te Pō (Indigenous Experience)
Enjoy locally sourced cuisine with unique Māori flavours from the mouth-watering buffet followed by an exhilarating cultural performance inside a beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Finish the evening with a hot chocolate overlooking the mesmerising display of Pōhutu Geyser.
Te Pō Combo
The Te Pō Combo is an immersive journey into the rich heritage and natural beauty of Rotorua. Begin with an up-close encounter with North Island Brown Kiwi, observe traditional Māori carving and weaving and witness the awe-inspiring natural geothermal features. Enjoy locally sourced cuisine with unique Māori flavours from the mouth-watering buffet followed by an exhilarating cultural performance inside our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Finish the evening with a hot chocolate overlooking the mesmerising display of Pōhutu Geyser.
Geyser By Night - Te Puia Light Trails
When darkness falls the true love story of Rotorua's geothermal wonderland comes to life. Until now, the magic hidden within Te Puia after hours has remained a secret that only Mother Nature has truly been exposed to. For the first time, the geothermal valley is revealed under night skies, providing a multi-sensory experience that can not be replicated anywhere else in the world. Hear the stories of the past and feel the beauty of Pōhutu in an interactive journey guided by light. Suitable for children ages 8 years or older.
Hāngī Buffet Dinner
Te Puia's world famous Hāngī Buffet dinner. Dining begins at 5.30pm daily, last sitting for dinner is 6.30pm.
Hāngī Buffet Lunch
Te Puia's world famous Hāngī Buffet lunch. Lunch begins at 11.30am daily, last sitting for lunch is 1.30pm.
Sunday Brunch
Te Puia's exclusive Sunday Brunch Buffet. Brunch begins at 9am on Sunday, last sitting for brunch is 1pm.
-
On a Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tour, you'll explore two distinct limestone caves in a quiet, small-group setting. The tour includes a peaceful boat ride through a glowworm-lit grotto, where thousands of native New Zealand glowworms shine in complete darkness, creating a star-like effect above you. You'll also walk through the Cave of the Spirit, a dry cave featuring impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient fossil shells. Along the way, guides share insights into the glowworms’ life cycle, local geology, and the natural history of the area, making it a relaxed and informative experience suitable for all ages.
Our Overview
Spellbound offers a quiet and scenic glowworm experience with easy walking and smaller group sizes, making it a more relaxed alternative to the busier cave tours. The guided experience includes a gentle walk through two limestone caves and a peaceful boat ride beneath thousands of glowing native New Zealand glowworms. With soft lighting, clear paths, and no strenuous climbing, it’s suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Visitors also explore a second dry cave featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient fossils, while learning about the geology and natural history of the area. You can also book Spellbound as a private tour
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Opening Hours: 7 days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm, all year round
Standard Guided Tour: 2 hours 15 minutes, including a scenic 30-minute cruise across Lake Te Anau
Is booking required: Yes
Location: 2.5 Hours southwest of Queenstown in the South Island
-
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour includes a short walk of around 200 to 300 metres along a narrow steel boardwalk inside the cave system. The path passes a small underground stream and waterfall, with some steps and damp, uneven surfaces. There is a small area at the start where you may need to bend down to pass through a low section of the cave.
-
During the Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour, you’ll first take a boat ride across Lake Te Anau, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Once at the caves, you’ll walk through an underground network featuring beautiful limestone formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and pass an underground river and waterfall. The highlight is the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms light up the cave ceiling, creating a starry effect. After the walk, you’ll board a small boat for a ride through the grotto in complete darkness, offering an up-close view of the glowworms in their natural environment.
Our Overview
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour is one of only place in the lower South Island where you can see glowworms in their natural environment. The tour begins with a boat ride across Lake Te Anau, followed by a walk through a smaller underground cave system compared to those in the North Island, featuring limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. You'll also pass an underground river and a small waterfall before reaching the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms light up the cave ceiling. The tour concludes with a boat ride through the grotto, offering an up-close view of the glowworms in the dark.
Real Rotorua – Nocturnal Glow-Worm Tour
Opening Hours: Every night depending on the sunset time.
Average time required: 2 to 3 Hours
Is booking required: Yes
Location: Pick ups central Rotorua
-
The Real Rotorua Nocturnal Adventure Glow-Worm Tour involves a 2 km walk through native forest, which can be a bit challenging due to uneven terrain. The path can be slightly muddy and rocky, so sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended. The walk takes place in the dark, with only a headlamp or torch for light. The walk is fairly slow-paced and designed to be enjoyable for most people with moderate fitness, though some areas may require careful footing.
-
You will experience a range of fascinating sights in the native forest at night. As you walk through the forest, you'll encounter a variety of nocturnal wildlife, including the sounds of native birds and insects. The highlight of the tour is, of course, the glowworms—thousands of them illuminate the cave-like environment, creating a starry, glowing effect on the ceiling. Your guide will also point out bioluminescent fungi and share insights into the local ecosystem, as well as the role glowworms play in the environment. The tour provides a rare opportunity to see this magical display in its natural, unspoiled setting, with minimal artificial light.
Our Overview
The Real Rotorua Nocturnal Adventure Glow-Worm Tour is a 2 km walk through Rotorua's native forest at night, guided by torchlight. The main feature of the tour is the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms light up the cave-like ceiling. While it's a very different experience from the larger cave tours, it’s still a great opportunity to see glowworms in their natural environment. Along the way, your guide will explain the local ecosystem, pointing out nocturnal wildlife and bioluminescent fungi, providing a unique perspective of the forest at night. It’s a great experience, and that’s why it’s in our top ten favorite experiences in New Zealand.