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 fungas gnat all bioluminecse. It is these fungas gnats that can be found in massive numbers in Waitomo caves. The fugnas 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, 3977, New Zealand
- Cost Adults: 38 USD, Child: 17 USD
Comments
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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 -
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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