Globe > Oceania > New Zealand > Waitomo Caves > Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
A cave lit with glowworms
Category Fascinating Fauna, Curious Caves, Bioluminescent Spots
In 1887, English surveyor Fred Mace and local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau decided to explore the Caves of Waitomo. Tinorau and Mace entered the cave system on a tiny raft where a decently sized stream descends into the underground and with their candles, they carefully navigated the stream through the caves. Amidst the darkness, they noticed starlike lights scattered across the formations above their heads. Thousands of glowworms were hanging peacefully above their heads forming a magnificent bioluminescent cosmos.
The glow worm is a catch-all name for the bioluminescent larvae of various species. The larvae of the beetle fireflies (Lampyridae), beetle larvae (Phengodidae), and of Arachnocampa, a type of fungus gnat all bioluminecse. It is these fungas gnats that can be found in massive numbers in Waitomo caves. The fungus gnat larvae cling to rock walls and hunt with long strings of sticky mucus. When seen in large groups they are truly astounding.
Elated with joy, the two men would return many times to explore further. On an independent trip, Tinorau found a land entrance, which is the same entrance that is used today by tourists from around the world. Tourists started visiting in 1889 when Tinorau and his wife began leading tours. Today, many of cave guides are descendants of Tinorau and his wife, and the fungus gnats, with their long strings of sticky mucus, still glow beautifully.
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- Hours 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, daily
- Website Waitomo Cave Website
- Address 39 Waitomo Caves Road, Waikato, Connecticut, New Zealand
- Cost Adults: 38 USD, Child: 17 USD
Comments
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I have been to some caves but I think this one would be the most interesting though.
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I did the cave where you zipline through complete darkness. Scary and awesome.
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Anonymous
June 26, 2010
I went cave tubing here! (they call it "black water rafting") Basically, you wear a wetsuit, gumboots, and lighted helmet (all provided), and carry an inner tube down into the caves. You're in a group with a couple guides who lead you through. There is one part where you have to jump a few feet onto your tube, and another part where you go down a slide. It was amazing! You definitely see loads of glowworms. -
Anonymous
November 18, 2009
A word of small warning, wear something waterproof, the cave is a bit dank, with a constant but not too much, drip...drip.....drip. Bob Lovett Earls Colne Essex. UK
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Anonymous
June 19, 2009
I have been to this cave, and it is truly fabulous. Marvel at the natural gorgeousness of glow worms. If only we could do this, we would need no lighting!
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