Where to See Glow Worms in New Zealand: 18 Glittering Habitats

If you are wondering where to see glow worms in New Zealand, you have come to the right place. While we have personally been mesmerized by these bioluminescent creatures in over a dozen of their natural habitats, we know there are still plenty more for us to discover.

Our first goal in creating this list was to share some of the best spots with you. This includes those that require a tour, as well as many places to see glow worms in New Zealand for free.

Honestly, they are easy to find if you know where to look, head out after dusk, and turn off your torch (flashlight) when you reach the magic spot.

This list is a collection of our experiences intermixed with locations suggested by members of our popular Facebook group, Explore New Zealand.

What are glow worms?

Did you know that they are not actually worms? Arachnocampa luminosa is a fungus gnat, still in its larva stage. In fact, it’s one of 300 species of fungus gnats in NZ, but the only one that lights up. Endemic to New Zealand and parts of Australia, they are most often found in caves and tunnels.

More than beautiful, the light is used to attract other bugs and insects.

We have also seen them along river banks and canyon walls, in native forests, and grottos. In fact, there are dozens of places to see glowworms in New Zealand on both the North and South Islands.

Map of where to see glow worms in New Zealand

In our map, green indicates places you can see glowworms in New Zealand for free, while orange is for those venues that require a tour. Click the expand / collapse icon in the upper left corner of the map for details.

Best place to see glow worms in New Zealand

If you are a visitor and only have time to visit one spot glow worm spot on the North Island, Waitomo Caves is definitely the most popular. While we were completely captivated, our personal favourite is actually kayaking at Lake Mclaren.

If you are on the South Island, the most popular is in the caves at Te Anu.

Waitomo Caves, Waitomo

We haven’t done this one in a while now, but somehow the magic stayed with me. Waitomo caves are among New Zealand’s best natural attractions and one of the most beautiful caves in the world. It’s a great spot for anyone, and often the perfect place for kids to see glow worms in NZ.

We took the 45-minute tour when our girls were young, and our boat took us silently gliding through the underground caves illuminated by thousands of tiny glow worms. It’s one of the unique things to do in New Zealand and is considered unmissable by many visitors. Booking in advance is highly recommended. Reserve your Waitomo Caves guided tour here.

Other Waitomo adventures:

The main caves are not the only adventure here, just the most popular. Beneath Waitomo’s green hills lies a maze of underground rivers, an extensive cave system, and numerous sinkholes. Check out some of these other options:

• Footwhistle Glowworm Cave
  Not the main cave, but another very cool one (see image above), it’s a short stroll through the bush before entering Footwhistle Cave with your guide. Here you will also learn about the extinct Moa. Reserve your often discounted Footwhistle Glowworm Cave tour here.
• Ruakuri Bush Walk
  There are two options at Ruakuri, which is 4km from the Waitomo Village: an easy, free-access 45-minute bush walk or a 75-minute guided cave tour. If you hit the trail after dark, you will discover the soft glow of the glow worms. Get more information on the trail here.
• Ruakuri Cave tour
  Ruakuri, the longest of Waitomo’s underground caves, is another fabulous spot to see glow worms, along with fossilized shells, unique rock formations, and subterranean rivers. Reserve your Ruakuri Cave tour here.
• Waitomo Caves Museum
  We found this small museum a perfect place to learn a bit of history and to get a feel for what we might see in the caves.
• Waitomo Caves adventures
  In addition to the caves tour, Waitomo also offers opportunities for adventurous caving and tubing experiences. Reserve your Blackwater rafting or glowworm cave adventure here.

Waimarino at Lake McLaren, Tauranga

Glow Worm Kayak Tour, Lake McLaren, Tauranga

I know Waitomo Caves are the most popular place to see glow worms in New Zealand, but I loved our night kayaking tour to see the glow worms along the canyon wall on Lake McLaren.

Our well-organized evening out began with wine and cheese as we watched the sunset over the lake. Then the short kayak trip to the canyon, arriving by dark. Here we rafted together, turned off our lights and sat in silence absorbing the illuminated magic.

Everything we needed was provided, from warm clothes and kayaks to snacks and transportation. It was a bit of exercise (although quite easy) followed by a spectacular show of nature.

It’s perfect for couples, friends, or families with older children (minimum age is 8). Read my review here or click here to check for discounts on the night you want to go.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Te Anau

If your journey brings you into the heart of Fiordland National Park, be sure to discover the enchanting Te Anau Glowworm Caves. As there is no road access to the caves, the tour start out with a cruise across Lake Te Anau.

Here, we meet our guide and enter the 12,000-year-old caves. Next another smaller boat silently drifted us into the grotto to marvel at the shimmering glow of thousands of glow worms lining the limestone walls. Reserve your often discounted Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour here.

More places to spot New Zealand glow worms on the North Island

Waipu Caves

There are two ways to explore the caves in Waipu, and we have done and detailed them both here: Exploring 2 Waipu Caves: Comparing Glow Worm Tour VS Free Cave

To summarize:

• Free-to-enter cave on public land
  Although free, this cave is not for everyone. There is no dedicated path, and we were often required to wade through water or pass through smaller spaces. Our feet got wet, we got dirty, but we had a magical adventure beginning in the initial cavity. It’s a stunning example of nature, with large stalactites hanging down. In fact, the cave is home to the longest stalactites in the country.
• Milky Way Farm Tour at Waipu Cave Farm Park
  A guided tour provided us with lights and took us along paved paths with handrails through an impressive cave system, where we got an up-close look at glow worms, stalactites, stalagmites, moa bones, fossils, and more. Here, the real magic occurred after we turned our lights and, guided by the handrail, walked beneath endless glow worms illuminating the cave as if to appear as a starry night.

Mangapōhue Natural Bridge

An easy stop along our Auckland to New Plymouth coastal road trip, the Mangapōhue Natural Bridge is a limestone bridge naturally sculpted over centuries.

Note that as of the latest updates, the site is partially closed, and it is deemed unsafe to be directly under the natural bridge, so no chance to spot the glow worms. It was fully closed when we visited, so no photos from us.

Before planning a visit, check for any updates on accessibility.

Abbey Caves, Whangarei

Abbey Caves are a series of three caves, each with glow worms located on a two-hour loop path that winds through forest and farmland in Whangarei. Entry is free and you will need to bring a torch.

We haven’t been here yet, and won’t visit until the current rāhui in place at Abbey Caves is lifted

Karioi Glowworm Canyoning, Raglan

Thrill seekers, this may be the place for your New Zealand glow worms adventure. A bit of climbing and abseiling over a cascading waterfall you will enter the canyon as the sun goes down. As your guide tells stories, you will be surrounded native bush and lit up by the glow worms (and sometimes a torch or headlamp). Reserve your Karioi Glowworm Canyoning for yourself, or your family here.

Kawiti Caves, Waiomio

Owned and operated by the Kawiti family, these lovely caves are available via guided tour only. You’ll spend about 30 minutes in the caves under the gentle illumination of the New Zealand glow worms. The remainder of your 3-hour tour will take you to some cool places like the Hundertwasswer Toilets and the Opua Kauri Forest Walk. Reserve your often discounted Kawiti Glow Worm Caves & Opua Kauri Forest Walk here.

Spots you might not expect to see Glow worms in NZ

A quick list of places not generally thought of for their glow worms, but they have been spotted at all of them:

• Shakespear Park, Auckland
  For our family, a night walk to the waterfall is quite common. Once here, we turn off our torch (flashlight) and watch the magic happen along the waterfall wall. Some nights we see only a dozen or so, other times upwards of 200. This is free and parking at the waterfall gully remains open after the main gate closes. You can read more about it here: Glow Worms at Shakespear Park Waterfall Gully – Easy Night Walk
• Botanic Garden, Wellington
  We love these gardens, and our daughter lives nearby, so we visit when we are there. While we have neither looked nor accidentally spotted these glittery creatures, we have been told there are glow worms in the Main Garden. Look along the banks of some of the moist and shady areas.
• Te Popo Gardens, Stratford, Taranaki
  The city’s largest private garden, Te Popo Gardens, is a 15-minute drive from Stratford. While day visits are allowed for a nominal fee, they are best known as a place to spend the night and spot the glowworms. Reserve your stay at Te Popo Gardens
• Zealandia, Wellington
  Our night tour at Zealandia was like walking through an enchanted forest ecosystem. With a keen eye for spotting wildlife, our guide pointed out tuatara, long-fin eel, glow worms, weta, and she identified bird calls. As always with nature, every evening is different, and unfortunately, we didn’t get to see kiwi*. Night entrance is only available via tour, but well worth it. Reserve your Zealandia night tour here.

*If you want to see kiwi in the wild, check out our insider’s guide to Where to See Kiwi in NZ.

Where to see glow worms on New Zealand’s South Island

Glow Worm Dell, Hokitika

An easy and accessible five-minute walk from the well-marked signpost along State Hwy 6 at the northern entrance to the town (opposite Richards Drive), and we were in Hokitika’s glow worm dell. This glittering forest had the resemblence of a fairy garden to our young children. It’s one of the best free things to do in Hokitika at night.

With the trailhead directly across the street from our lovely beachfront accommodation, we were good as gold. We loved Shinning Star and will stay there again. Reserve your stay at Shining Star here.

Punakaiki Cavern

This 130-metre cave features stalactites and glowworms and is free to enter. It is located just up the road from the famous pancake rocks viewing area and is inside Paparoa National Park. Be sure to bring a torch (flashlight) and exercise caution, as the ground can be slippery.

Oparara Basin, Karamea

There is plenty to do here from the amazing Oparara Basin Arches to several caves. Among the free activities are seven trail options outlined here. The last on the list will bring you to spiders and weta in Crazy Paving Cave and then to glow worms in Box Canyon Caves

However, if you want to get into Honeycomb Hill Cave, famous for its Moa bones collection, you will need a guide.

Oparara Basin in Karamea is inside the Kahurangi National Park.

Tips for your glow worm Adventure

1. Choose the right time of day. If you are headed into a cave, anytime is fine, but if you want to see glow worms in a forested or other outdoor area, remember to wait until evening to start your adventure.
2. Wear comfortable and sturdy footwear, and if you are heading into a cave be cautious of the often wet and slippery ground near where glow worms thrive.
3. Bring a torch or headlamp to navigate dark pathways and caves easily. If you are going deep into a cave, have at least one spare torch, just in case, as you may need it to find your way out.
4. Be patient, embrace the tranquillity, and allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness after you turn off your torch.
5. Carry a light jacket, as caves are often cool and damp.
6. Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace to preserve the delicate ecosystems where glow worms thrive.

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Where have you seen glowworms in New Zealand

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