Exactly where to see glowworms in New Zealand!
Last updated on May 28th, 2026 at 03:01 pm
Want to sit in a cave and stare at what looks like a night sky of twinkling lights – but in reality is a fake sky full of glowworms? Want to know where to see these glowworms in New Zealand?
They are found all over the country, but here I will give you a couple of easy to find spots as well as some spectacular ones with millions of the little guys in my list of where to see glowworms in New Zealand. But first up….
Did you know?
OK so first up, I have some glowworm trivia for you! Enjoy….
- These are New Zealand glowworms, and they do look like a worm – even though they are not a worm. (Apparently in other countries glowworms refer to a type of beetle.) In New Zealand they are actually the larvae of the fungus gnat. That is not at all romantic sounding, especially as the gnat looks a bit like a mozzie (mosquito) as an adult!!
- The New Zealand glowworms shine a blue green luminescent light in the dark places they live in – typically caves or sides of bush cliffs, and if you turn all your torches off so it’s pitch black – well then it’s like a starry starry night – now that’s much more romantic!
- So what do they eat?
NZ glowworms are carnivores and eat mayflies, midges, moths and flies. To capture their food, they build a network of silk threads that hang vertically and are covered in a sticky mucus. The insects fly toward the glowing bioluminescent light and into the sticky silk and then it’s pretty much like being caught by a spider – the end for you little fly!
And BTW if they are hungry they turn the light up to a brighter glow – smart right!! - Glowworms live for about 9 months as larvae, about 2 weeks as pupae and about 1 day as a fly!
- And – fun facts – they are territorial so if one gets in another’s space they fight! No, don’t ask me how! I don’t know, but apparently they can even get cannibalistic!
- Finally, the adults don’t have mouths so they basically mate then die, hence the one day of life. Yep its all about the larvae worm.
If you know how they fight, please say so. Meanwhile lets get on with finding glowworms!
(Oh and please forgive the lack of any quality photos taken by me. It’s not easy with my limited skills and equipment – but hopefully you get the idea!)
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. And here in New Zealand, I always check Bookme as it has good discounts on many attractions. In brief these are top picks for seeing glow worms in NZ:
- 1. Waitomo Guided Eco-Cave Tour or Waitomo Ruakuri Cave 1.5-Hour Guided Tour or from Auckland the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Explorer Small Group Tour or the Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch
- 2. Lake Karapiro – Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour (near Hamilton)
- 3. Rotorua: Nocturnal Glow-Worm Adventure Tour with a Guide
- 4. Tauranga Evening Big Kanu Glowworm Tours
- 5. In the South Island the Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!!
Where to easily see glowworms in New Zealand
I will start with easy places to se glowworms in the North Island and carry on with the South Island next. Some places are only available with a tour, but there are plenty of free options too. And just ask around as often people know a local spot with glow-worms – generally these are not big with millions of worms, but good enough to get to see them!
Note – I have added AllTrails links to any of the walks in the list so you can easily find them!
Glowworms in the North Island, New Zealand
1. Waitomo (tour only)
The Waitomo caves are famous for their glowworms. Sit on a boat and glide through the water inside these spectacular glow-worm filled caves. The thousands of twinkly twinkly lights are hard not to love! It costs, but I think it is worth it once. You can also do a three hour black water cave tour – floating on tubes, which I enjoyed.
Waitomo is about an hour’s drive from Hamilton.
There are plenty of options for tours to see these glow-worms and its great to do at least one as this is the premier viewing spot in NZ!
Check out these options for either the adventurous or chill types:
- Waitomo Caves Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience
- Waitomo Caves Black Abyss Ultimate Caving Experience
or from Auckland:
And if you are short on time and cant get to Waitomo you can see Auckland’s Secret Glowworms instead!!!
Stay in Waitomo at…
Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge, or, The Waitomo Village Chalets
Backpackers – YHA Waitomo Juno Hall Backpackers
The next spot (2) is close by to Waitomo and free so do both for a real fix.
2. Ruakuri Tunnels Walk (free)
The Ruakuri Tunnels is a gem of a walk close to Waitomo and only 45 min return. Walk through forest, beside a river and with small caves and limestone areas. And glow worms love that kind of place. Its nice during the day but come at night (with a torch to get there) and then keep turning it off until you find glow-worms. Sit and enjoy the free display in the dark.
Stay in Waitomo at…
…any of the places listed above in 1.
3. Kawiti Family Glowworm Caves (tour only)
Not far from Paihia is a family run cave experience. This is great if you are only traveling in the far north (or stopping on a cruise). Its also great if you are interested in local culture as well as the nature. Local Māori guides (descendants of legendary Māori chief Kawiti) take you to the caves with thousands of glow-worms in the native forest of Waiomio. There is also a max group of 9 which is pretty peaceful!!
Book ahead at – Kawiti Family Glowworm Caves Guided Tour in Bay of Islands.
Stay in Paihia at..
High End – Tarlton’s Lodge, or, Sanctuary Palms
Mid Range – Rekindle Treehouses, or, Allegra House. For a small apartment style hotel – Edgewater Palms Apartments
Budget – Bay of Islands Lodge, or, ASURE Admirals View Motel
Backpackers – Bay of Islands Lodge, or, Centabay Lodge, or Haka House Bay of Island
4. Hot Water Beach (free)
Hot Water Beach, 2.5 hours from Auckland near Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula, is famous for its hot water of course. But if you walk to the beach along the walkway opposite the Top 10 Holiday Park at night you are likely to see glow-worms in amongst the bush as you walk. This is not guaranteed, and not like seeing millions in a cave, but it is a good example of seeing them in the bush (which happens all over the country) so I have included it as an example!
This adds up to a night time hot water swim and glowworms. Can’t beat that! (Don’t forget that the hot water is only there at low tide.)
Stay in nearby Hahei at..
Mid range – Tatahi Lodge Beach Resort, or, The Church Accommodation
Budget or backpacker – nice private rooms and dorms at the Tatahi Cove Back Packer
5. Waipu Caves (free)
The Waipu caves are a favourite of mine. Why?
They are free, uncrowded and beautiful in their own right. Apart from that they are easy to access and are about half an hour’s drive from Whangarei, or two hours from Auckland.
When you enter the caves, follow the stream to the left and you will find them after a bit of scrambling. The caves have beautiful stalagmites and stalactites so enjoy that while you are there. Don’t forget your torch!
There is also a walk to a lookout by the caves if you feel like stretching the legs more!
Stay in Whangarei at..
High End – Deloraine Stone Cottage
Mid range – Bk’s Pohutukawa Lodge
Budget – The Yurt Wai Rua, or, Highlander Farmstay – Cabins
Backpackers and budget – The Cell block
6. Lake Karapiro (tour only)
Another great trip to see glowworms, not far from Hamilton is at Lake Karapiro – you have to get there on the water and can only go on a tour. But the good news is the tour is really highly rated with rave reviews (4.9/5 with over 500 reviews). Tbh I haven’t done this one, but I have to include it because it is so popular. And next time I’m in the area, I’m going!
Book on the Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro. “You’ll see beautiful native plants and bird life, and rock formations that have been naturally carved over centuries. Once the light disappears, you’ll see thousands of glowworms lighting your way.”
Stay in Hamilton at..
Higher end – Quantum Lodge Motor Inn
Mid Range – Cone Hill Farmstay, or, Albert Court Motor Lodge
Budget and backpacker – Hamilton Homestay
7. McLaren Falls Park (free or tours available)
Another free way to see glowworms, about 15 minutes drive from Tauranga is the 45 min return Waterfall Track in McLarens Falls Park. The park closes for entry at 7.30pm in summer but the gate is opened for you to exit so you have plenty of time to enjoy the walk and wait to see the glowworms.
You can also kayak in the lake if you have your own kayak and the glowworms in the canyon at the end of the lake are even better. Alternatively, take a big kanu (canoe) tour with Tauranga Evening Big Kanu Glowworm Tours and you get to see a lot more than you would walking as you can access the canyon at the end of the lake.
Don’t forget the torch!
Stay in Tauranga at..
A unique higher end stay – at Jungle Den
Mid Range – Colonial Court Motor Inn, or, Clarence Boutique Hotel, or, CitySide Hotel Tauranga
Budget and backpacker – Arty Apartments, or, Bay Palm Motel
8. Te Auheke Track (free)
This forest trail in the Lake Ōkataina Scenic Reserve leads to the beautiful Cascade Falls, complete with mossy cliff and mini waterfalls. About 20 minutes from Rotorua, it gives easy access to thousands of glow-worms hanging on the mossy cliffs. Start the walk behind the Outdoor Education Centre where you will find a sign – its about a 40 min loop and easy walking, although take care not to get lost (use your AllTrails map). And of course – don’t forget the torch!
If you prefer a really informative trip with a guide to get you here – and to make sure you wont get lost, then this is the trip for you: Rotorua: Nocturnal Glow-Worm Adventure Tour with a Guide
To get there, turn onto Lake Ōkataina Road from SH 30 (Whakatane/ Rotorua highway) at Ruato.
Stay in Rotorua at..
High End luxury – Treetops Lodge and Estate or Solitaire Lodge
Mid Range – Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel, or Quest Rotorua Central
Budget – Lake Ōkāreka Retreat
Backpackers – Rock Solid Backpackers Rotorua, or, Crashpalace Backpacker Rotorua
9. Kakahi Glowworms (free)
How about a 100m (328ft) long straight grotto of glowworms? Kakahi, about 20 minutes from Taumarunui, has just that. It is actually a road – Te Rena Road – that cuts right through the hillside. This road was originally cut for a railway and has steep tall walls that now are home to hundreds of these twinkly little guys.
(On SH4 turn off Waitea Branch Rd and go through the village to Te Rena Rd.)
Stay in Taupo at..
High End – Lake Taupo Lodge, or, The Flying Trout Boutique Lodge
Mid Range – Acacia Lake View Motel or Hilton Lake Taupo
Budget – The Belfry
Backpackers – Finlay Jacks Backpackers, or, Adventure Taupo Hostel
Glow-worms in the South Island, New Zealand
10. Te Anau Caves (tour only)
The Te Anau glowworm caves are about 2 hours drive from Queenstown near Te Anau. They are the top glowworm caves in the South Island – they are to the South Island what Waitomo is to the North Island!
You can only visit on a tour, which starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the caves. You then explore the caves with a guide, partly in a small boat. It’s always more magic in a boat for some reason! You can book the Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour ahead of time.
Stay in Te Anau at..
Luxury – Tukare Cabins or, The Cinema Suites
Higher end – Dunluce Boutique B&B, or, Tukare Lookout,
Mid Range – Kepler Oaks Chalet, or, Shakespeare House
Budget – Aden Motel, or, Anchorage Motel Apartments or Red Tussock Motel
Backpackers – Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers
11. Hokitika Glow-worm Dell (free)
The Hokitika Glowworm Dell (walk) is so accessible you can hear traffic while you are there. Right on the side of State Highway 6 at the north end of Hokitika (3 hours from Christchurch) is a sign saying “Glow-worm Dell.” It takes about 5 minutes to walk to the cliff walls where the glowworms are literally hanging out. there is a fence to protect them so its not as magical as other places, but its free and a good spot to make sure you get to see them.
Stay in Hokitika at..
A firm favorite is the Beachfront Hotel – book an ocean view room! Note – the bar has a view in case you miss out!
If you are on a tighter budget try the Hokitika Pioneer Hotel which is also popular.
For backpackers, try the Hokitika Holiday Park!
For good value for a group – there is the The Black Bach on Bealey. Its highly rated and good value!
12. Charleston – Metro / Te Ananui Caves in Paparoa National Park (tour only)
The guys at Underworld Adventures will take you from Charleston on the West Coast to the gorgeous Metro / Te Ananui Caves where you will find another fantastic display of glowworms. You can either go on a rafting adventure or a standard cave tour, but both have rave reviews.
Stay in nearby Hokitika at..
..any of the places listed in 11 above.
13. Mitchells Gully Goldmine (not free but not a tour)
The Mitchells Gully Goldmine is a small old gold mine – something of a hidden gem, not well sign posted, fairly rough and ready etc – on the West Coast not far from Charleston. It is really about the mining history and gets great reviews, but the old mining tunnels also have glowworms which are pretty cool. Its worth a look if you are interested in a bit of the history of the area too.
Stay in nearby Hokitika at..
..any of the places listed in 11 above.
14. Velenski Track (free)
The Velenski Track is another free bushwalk complete with plenty of glowworms in Moana, near Lake Brunner on the West Coast. (There’s a signpost on Taku Street.) The walk is only about 20 minutes and another great way to see these beautiful little larvae!
Stay in Hokitika at..
..any of the places listed in 11 above.
15. Minnehaha Walk (free)
On the West Coast just outside Fox Glacier (by the Bella Vista Motel) is the Minnehaha Walk. It’s a 20min loop walk and you know what you’re going to find there at night right? Glow-worms. They wont be all in one place like in the caves, but keep an eye out for them as you wander along by the stream. Its a pretty walk, day or night!
Don’t forget the torch or phone torch!
Stay in Fox Glacier or Franz Josef at..
Higher End – Rainforest Deluxe
Mid Range – Aspen Court Franz Josef, or, Ropatinis Bed & Breakfast
Budget – Mt Cook View Motel – Fox Glacier
For backpackers, try the Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge
Frequently asked questions about where to see glowworms in New Zealand
Q: Where is the best place to see glowworms in New Zealand?
A: The most famous place is Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the North Island and it generally has the best (biggest) display of glowworms. But other locations can be great too – for peace and being able to spend as little or as much time as you like e.g. the Waipu Caves.
Q: Are Waitomo Glowworm Caves worth it?
A: Yes. Even though you can see glowworms for free in other places, it is still worth going to Waitomo once! A lot of people think the underground boat ride beneath thousands of glowing glowworms as one of New Zealand’s highlights.
Q: Can you see glowworms for free in New Zealand?
A: Yes. Popular free locations include the Waipu Caves and the Hokitika Glow Worm Dell. Free sites generally have fewer glowworms than commercial cave tours but its still good to go for a different experience.
Q: What time is best to see glowworms?
A: After full darkness, so at least 30 minutes after sunset – but often better after 90 minutes. Glowworms are at their brightest in humid, very dark conditions.
Q: Which is better: Waitomo or Te Anau?
A: Tricky question! Waitomo Glowworm Caves has more glowworms and for those that like it – more adventure tours. Te Anau Glowworm Caves includes a scenic lake cruise and still plenty of glowworms. If you are only visiting the South Island it is a great option.
Q: Are glowworms actually worms?
A: No. New Zealand glowworms are the larvae of a fungus gnat species called Arachnocampa luminosa.
Q: Why do glowworms glow?
A: Glowworms produce a blue-green bioluminescent light to attract insects into their sticky hanging threads – a bit like a spiderweb.
Q: Can you take photos inside the glowworm caves?
A: Usually not. Flash photography is banned because it disturbs the glowworms and ruins darkness adaptation for visitors. You can try taking a long exposure shot if you are in a cave independently – but don’t use flash – it wont come out as a good photo anyway.
Q: What’s the difference between a glowworm cave tour and black-water rafting?
A: A standard cave tour is a quiet walking/boat experience. Black-water rafting involves floating through underground rivers in wetsuits and inner tubes, usually with some climbing or abseiling.
Q: How long do glowworm tours take?
A: It varies depending on the place. At Waitomo a standard tour takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, at Te Anau it takes 2–2.5 hours including the lake cruise. The adventure caving and rafting tours generally take longer, usually 3–5 hours.
Q: Are glowworms only found in New Zealand?
A: New Zealand has the world’s most famous glowworm cave systems, but there are related species in Australia and a few other places.
Q: What’s the best season to see glowworms?
A: Glowworms can be seen year-round. Winter and wetter months are often best because caves are darker, cooler, and more humid.
Q: Can kids visit glowworm caves?
A: Yes absolutely. Most tours are family-friendly and suitable for children. Adventure caving and rafting tours will generally have age restrictions.
Q: Are glowworms brighter after rain?
A: Usually yes. Humidity increases activity and visibility, especially in forest and waterfall locations.
Q: Do glowworms look like the photos online?
A: Not exactly. Viral photos are often long-exposure images that intensify the glow. In person, the caves resemble a soft blue-green starry sky rather than bright neon lights. But it is still a beautiful sight and one you are unlikely to forget.
Tips for seeing glowworms in New Zealand
- Don’t expect the caves to look as bright as Instagram photos
- If you go to Waitomo, stay completely silent during the boat ride – make sure any kids with you are silent too. It makes a huge difference. You will see!
- Book early in peak season – December to February, local school holidays – especially for black water rafting, photography tours, and small-group cave tours.
- Go after rain if possible – especially if you are looking for glowworms on a forest walk. They usually shine brighter and better!
- Bring a proper flashlight if you are going to free glowworm sites.
- Wear warmer clothes if going to caves to see glowworms.
- The adventure tours are VERY different from normal cave tours – they involve cold water, physical crawling, climbing and jumping into waters.
- Respect the glowworms – light really does affect them badly.
Final Notes
Of course there are a lot more places to see glowworms, and many more great glowworm tours across the country. But this list of good spots are generally easy to access and the majority are free to view. Whichever way you decide to go – tour or free walk, there are plenty of options to get your glowworm fix!
Do tell me in the comments if this has helped you visit any of these New Zealand’s glowworm spots, or, if you think I should add any other options you have enjoyed.
Have fun:-)
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