5 Places to See Glowworms in New Zealand – Paid & Free!

I became fascinated with glowworms after learning about them while on a working holiday in New Zealand.

If you’re interested in where you can see glowworms in New Zealand, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Scroll down to read about my glowworm experience at Waitomo Caves, as well as a few first-hand experiences with little creatures in different spots around the country from some fellow travel bloggers.

In typical nerd fashion, I researched everything there is to know about New Zealand glowworms, and what I learned was pretty neat. I can’t possibly keep all this juicy information to myself. So, keep scrolling all the way down to read what I learned about what they are, how they glow, and where they live. You know, the nerdy nature stuff that I love!

Where to See Glowworms in New Zealand

1. Waitomo Caves Boat Ride ($)

First, I’ll share my experience at Waitomo Caves. My full-day tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set included a stop for a “boat ride” under the glowworms at Waitomo Caves. I put that in quotations because I think it’s a bit misleading.

The 45-minute tour included stops to see and learn about the caves’ geologic features, such as stalagmites and stalactites. Along the way, the guide described the area’s geologic history, how the caves were created, glowworm habitats, and life cycles. It was all interesting stuff.

Then we were on our way to the boat! The group lined up and filed onto several small metal boats to bring us inside the cave. While the small boat glided through the river beneath the glowworms, we were directed to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb them.

I was excited to see them first-hand but disappointed at the length of time. Once you enter the cave, you go in just a short distance, turn around, and head back to the loading dock. The whole “boat ride” lasted only about 5 minutes. I know that plenty of people are satisfied with this tour, but I had higher expectations. Plus, I like to take my time with things and get a good look. This tour does not allow you to take your time.

So, my experience aside, I still think glowworms are worth seeing on a trip to New Zealand. After all, it is the only place in the world where you can see this particular species! When I return to New Zealand someday, I will see glowworms again, but on my terms, like at one of the experiences below!

2. Abseiling Waitomo Glowworm Caves ($)

from Allison from She Dreams of Alpine

After hearing and reading so much about the glowworm caves in New Zealand, my partner and I made sure to add the experience to the top of our list on our New Zealand North Island road trip. There are many different Waitomo caving options out there, but we decided to go with the 7-hour epic caving tour with Waitomo adventures called the Lost World Epic.

The Lost World Epic Caving tour included a 100m abseil down into the cave and was an excellent introduction to the entire adventure. Then, with our caving guides’ assistance, we waded in and out of the cave waters in our wetsuits, squeezed between rocks and tight passes, climbed up rocks, and meandered through the giant cave.

We eventually made it to a giant area in the cave where we were instructed to turn out our lights, and that’s when we looked up and saw the cave ceiling filled with these fantastic star-like glowing worms. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, almost like we were staring up at the night sky.

The entire adventure was terrific, and our guides took great care of us the entire way and even cooked a big dinner for us after the whole adventure. If you are up to the challenge, I highly recommend the Lost World Epic Caving Tour.

GLOWWORM TOURS IN NEW ZEALAND

3. Waipu Glowworm Caves (free)

from Bailey from Destinationless Travel

Waipu Caves is the perfect choice for visiting glowworm caves in New Zealand. There are tons of glowworms to see completely free! This cave is located in Northland, about a 35-minute drive from the city of Whangarei or 2 hours away from Auckland.

To get there, you must drive on a gravel road and then walk a short distance through a field. The glowworms are in the first cave you will see. However, they can be hard to see near the entrance because of the light. You must continue deeper in the cave to the left to really see them!

This cave system is lots of fun because after you see glowworms, you can continue even further into the cave, wading through knee-deep water! Such an adventure!

The best time to visit is early in the morning or late at night as there will be fewer people. The car park is also a freedom camping spot for both self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles, meaning you can camp for free! There is a toilet and a cold shower on site. I recommend camping there and visiting the caves after dark when there would be barely any other people around! Just be sure to bring a flashlight!

4. Glowworm Grotto at Gunn’s Camp (free)

from Alex from Career Gappers

Note: Gunn’s Camp was damaged during a 2020 landslide.

Hidden among the beauty of Fiordland National Park is a secret spot where you can see New Zealand’s famous glowworms for free in their natural habitat.

Gunn’s Camp is a charity-run campsite located deep in forestland, about 8 kilometers off Highway 94 and about 35 kilometers by road from Milford Sound. The site offers various accommodations, including private cabins, dorm rooms, and open camping pitches for tents and vans. 

A sleepy river flows through the camp, creating a secluded swimming hole, and there’s also a miniature history museum on site. But what makes this place truly unique is a small glowworm grotto hidden in the forest, just a short walk away.

The staff were amiable during our visit and instructed us on how to find the grotto. Once daylight had disappeared, we followed Hollyford Track (the road that runs past the camp) in the direction away from Highway 94. A few hundred meters away, a small track led off to the right into the forest.

Equipped with a torch, we followed the track a few paces until we reached a protruding rock, where we shut off the light to avoid disturbing the nighttime environment. There they were – dotted underneath the overhang like a parade of nightlights. The glowworms! What a fantastic moment to see them among nature in the tranquility of the forest.

5. Kakahi Glowworms (free)

from Meredith from Chasing Abandon

If you’re looking for a New Zealand glowworm experience away from the crowds, then a trip to see the Kakahi Glowworms will deliver. Located an hour west of Turangi on the North Island, the Kakahi Glowworms are found along the cliffs of an abandoned railroad cut. A one-lane dirt road now passes through the narrow cut of rock, allowing you to walk through the glowworm cliffs at night.

As you wander down the narrow, dark road, it will feel like you’ve stepped into a virtual fairyland. The cliffs are dotted with twinkling glowworms and intertwined with ferns and plants. As you look up, it will be hard to tell where the glowworms end and the starry night begins.

Since the glowworms are outside of a cave, you’ll need to arrive after dark to view them. Bring flashlights to walk from your car to the glowworms, but be sure to turn off the lights for the glowworms to shine fully. While it takes a bit extra scheduling to fit in a remote, after-dark experience, you’ll be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind glowworm viewing! We were the only people on the road the night we visited. Without any entrance fee, the Kakahi Glowworms are a perfect way to enjoy an iconic New Zealand experience for all budgets.

The Kakahi Glowworms are located outside the tiny town of Kakahi. From the town of Taumarunui, travel south on State Highway 4 for 15 km, then turn left on Waitea Branch Road. Travel for 4.5 km, and Waitea Branch Road will turn into Te Rena Road. Follow Te Rena Road through the neighborhood of houses (Te Rena Road will make a few turns but is labeled).

After the houses, Te Rena Road will turn into a narrow, dirt road. After 1 km, you will see 100 meters of a narrow cliff on either side of you, and then the road dead-ends at the Whakapapa River. Park here at the dead end and walk back to the cliffs to see the glowworms.

More Places to See Glowworms in New Zealand

Glowworms live in caves, grottos, and protected overhangs in humid forests on both the North and South islands. The best-known caves to see glowworms are Waitomo Caves on the North Island and Te Anau Glowworm Caves on the South Island.

There are many other places across the country, including those on this short, totally incomplete list.

Everything I Know About Glowworms

As promised, the nerdy nature stuff about glowworms. Before you scroll down, watch this beautiful video. It’s less than 2 minutes; you can do it.

What Are Glowworms and How Do They Glow?

The technical name for New Zealand glowworms is Arachnocampa Luminosa. How Harry Potter is that name? Unfortunately, the literal translation is “glowing spider-worm.” If you forget that and just think of how magical it is to see them twinkle above you on the cave wall like the Milky Way in the night sky, then you’re all good.

So, when we see them glowing, like in the video above, the glowworms are in their larval stage, which lasts as long as a year, and uses the light to attract prey. As larvae, glowworms beef up by eating as much as possible to become a pupa for a couple of weeks and then an adult fungus gnat. They only live as adults for a few days, so they stop eating and focus solely on procreation after reaching this stage.

One interesting fact I learned on this nerd mission is that the pretty little dangly things are silk threads called snares. This is how the larva catches its prey. A sticky substance covers the snares, and once a bug is caught, the larvae pull the snare up to them and enjoy a tasty treat.

What about that blue-green glow? Well, larvae glow the brightest when they’re hungry. Obviously, to attract the most food! Females glow as pupas about to emerge as adult gnats to attract a mate – who is usually just waiting for her right outside her cocoon. The glow (bioluminescent light) is a chemical reaction between the stuff (<< that’s a technical word) the glowworm emits with oxygen in the air.

Fun Fact: The Maori name for glowworm is titiwai, which means “projected over water.”

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