Worms! They might be slimy and yucky altogether!
But you might be astonished about what I am about to say.
There is a sanctuary for thousands of glowing worms deep within The Waitomo Glowworm Caves that illuminates the craggy stalactites and stalagmites…
And nowhere on earth can you find such complex caves comprising sinkholes, caverns, and subsurface rivers, as well as watch the thousands of glowworms, which ignite the darkness like infinite galaxies!
So, embark on a journey into the caves by reading this post to ignite your wanderlust to escape into the unknown.
Here we go…
1. What are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves?
Be awe-struck over the thousands of magic glowworms above as you sail quietly by boat in the world-famous Waitomo Caverns.
Guided for visitors since the late 1880s, this is an authentic, quintessential New Zealand attraction.
These serene caves are found miles below the hilly expanse of the North Island. And they remain illuminated just by the glowworms even today!
Its name arises from the Maori term Wai which means water, and Tomo, which means a hole in the surface.
And the excellent part is that these Caves are exclusive to New Zealand.
The Glowworms are not actually GLOWING WORMS.
They are basically fly larvae produced by the insect Arachnocampa luminosa. These emit a glowing blue-green hue brightening up the underground cave’s river.
How are they getting the glow feature?
The answer is simple!
From their excretory organs. These long silk-like threads or lengthy beads produced by the insects are a prime source to attract prey.
So, the hungry they are, the brighter they glow to attract and catch flies and other bugs to devour!
Fun Fact: Did you know? These glowworms not only thrive amidst the dark spaces of the caves. You can find them even in the dense dark forests of New Zealand.
2. Evolution of The Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The parable of the Glowworm Caves in Waitomo dates back over 30 million years ago when limestone was created at the depths of the ocean floor.
However, the fantastic part is that these caverns remained hidden from the rest of the world only 118 years ago.
2.1 Discovery of the Waitomo Caves
It was in 1887 that the Maori Chief, Tane Tinorau, and Fred Mace, an English surveyor, embarked on an expedition into the caves.
Locals knew the existence of the Glowworm Cavern.
But these two individuals journeyed to explore the underground caverns deep inside the cave that were yet to be explored.
They sojourned into the caves through the stream that slithered underground, building a raft of flax stems and lighting their candles.
First, they chanced upon the Glowworm Grotto that illuminated the cave’s ceiling like stars shining amidst the dark sky.
After that, they drifted through the debris and dead logs that floated in the water towards the embankment to exit the raft and explore the cave’s depths.
Here, they found themselves enclosed by beautiful cave decorations.
Finally, after their victory in the first expedition, they often returned to explore the expanse of the caves.
Chief Tane, who took an independent trip, discovered a shortcut route to access the upper level of the caves. Later with subsequent visits, they found how to embark into the caves from land.
And this is the entry point used by thousands of adventure-seeking travelers visiting the caves annually.
By 1889, Maori Chief Tane opened it to tourists, and he, with his wife Huti, escorted small groups into the caves for a small fee.
Later the visitor numbers increased, and the government seized the administration by 1906.
2.2 The Waitomo Caves Today
After 100 years since 1889, the land was returned to its original owners in 1989. These are the descendants of the Maori Chief Tane and his wife, Huti.
And most of the staff working in the tourism segment of the caves are mostly their descendants.
3. Bite-Sized Science About the Glow Worms
As mentioned earlier, the glowing worms are just the larval layout of the fungus gnat Arachnocampa Luminosa.
In their ninth month of the larval phase, when they grow less than 2 mm to over an inch in length, they pupate.
This pupa-forming process happens for nearly two weeks. And cocoons suspend from the cave’s ceiling.
Once they become adults, these giant mosquito-like insects just live up to three days and don’t possess the capacity to consume food.
It is because of the essential gastrointestinal tracts they possess.
Now, with a limited lifespan, they only have enough time to mate and lay eggs on the cave’s ceiling.
And once the larvae are hatched after three weeks, they begin glowing immediately and migrate to the upper parts, that is, towards the ceiling above the water.
This area sustains the worms as they are pitch dark and primarily moist.
Each larva can produce up to 70 strands of the long sticky filament to attract the insects brought by the river.
However, amidst the many places in New Zealand that rear these worms, usually in open-air grottos and sheltered banks.
The Waitomo Caves is the only place that provides uninterrupted gathering in its dark underground caverns.
With its numerous shaft openings, there is a free flow of air, water, and food source that the worms attract.
These glide into the caves with the fresh air that flows with it.
Unfortunately, they mistake the dotted glowing above and fly towards it to get trapped in the hanging filaments.
Fun Fact: Did you know? These worms inhabit the cave ceiling just to avoid air that dries the larvae and getting stuck together.
Glowing worms are remarkable for their energy efficiency and bioluminescence for three months without food.
Their light arises from a kind of phosphorescence resulting from a chemical reaction of luciferin, ATP, luciferase, and oxygen, without releasing heat.
The larvae shining brightest are hungriest!
But you must also know these worms can thrive in water for a few days when the caves get flooded. And it takes time for them to emerge in their full glory.
When coming to contact with the sun, these worms lose their glow, and it takes hours for them to recharge and emit the glow to attract food.
Fun Fact: Did you know? The Waitomo caves possess the most immense herds of glowworms than the Ruakuri Cave.
3.1 Waitomo Glow Worms Conservation
The Glow worms give the punch if you take a cave tour in Waitomo.
And these are peculiar species that reside exclusively in New Zealand. That’s why scientists are implementing measures to conserve the caves and the worms.
The Scientific Advisory Group has undertaken the charge of maintaining the caves with their automated equipment to keep track of the air conditions inside the cave.
These include checking the carbon dioxide levels, temperatures, and humidity.
This is to ensure that the caves are managed for prosperity.
And for that, they usually restrict the number of visitors inside the cave to avoid excessive building up of carbon dioxide.
4. Where are the Waitomo Caves located in New Zealand?
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located on the North Island in the Northern King country region. It lies 12 km on the northwestern side of Te Kuiti.
From Hamilton, the caves lie 80 km South. Here are the Waitomo Caves Directions in case you wish to take a trip there;
- Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo, Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
- Waitomo Map
5. Facts About the Waitomo Subterrane
Here are some facts to blow off your mind!
5.1 Waitomo was Once a Place that Staged a Performance
The caves are available to access at two levels. The lower level remains flooded and is accessible via boat ride.
The upper level displays impressive rock formations and is primarily dry.
At the lower level, there is a place called The Cathedral, renowned for its acoustics. The famous opera singer in New Zealand, Kiri Te Kanawa, once staged a performance there.
5.2 Enormous Limestone Secretions are Dead Matter of Marine Organisms
The Waitomo was once a sea that later changed to become the caves.
These caves contain enormous amounts of limestone, which are the carcasses of seashells, ancient coral, and fish that once remained in the ocean.
5.3 Stalactites and Stalagmites are Created by the Caves Themselves
When the limestones took shape into the caves, they had some water quantity inside them.
When this melts and drips from the ceiling of the cave, stalactites and stalagmites are formed and get solidified like concrete on the cave walls.
5.4 Insects are the Only Animals Thriving in the Caves
Insects such as the albino cave ants, giant crickets, and the renowned glowing worm Arachnocampa lumonisa once inhabit these caves.
These worms are just an average mosquito’s size.
Apart from them, the caves also possess several underground lakes, primarily from freshwater creeks or brooks.
These lakes house New Zealand’s longfin eels.
5.5 These Caves are a Result of Volcanic and Geological Activity
In the million-year process, the dead matter contained within the fossil rocks below the once-ocean Waitomo region layered on each other to form limestone.
The caves began to emerge when the limestone rose up out of the sea bed. Once they came into contact with the surface, fissures, and cracks appeared in the thick limestone rocks.
These suspended the waters and allowed the dissolving of the hard rock mass for years.
As a result, the caves were born out of it.
5.6 You are NOT ALLOWED to Touch the Cave Walls
That’s the beauty of this cave!
The stalactites and stalagmites have taken centuries to create the cave to its present form, and touching them might result in discoloration and breakage.
That’s why photography is restricted to certain areas, and smoking is prohibited.
5.7 It is the House of the Endemic Weta Insect
Not only is the cave home to the glowing worms, they also house the world’s heaviest insect too!
There are seventy distinct species within which the giant Weta ranks No. 1 globally for its weight.
5.8 The Caves are a Renowned Tourist Attraction in the World
Comprising over 300 caves, the Waitomo, Ruakuri, and the Aranui cave are famous tourist spots globally.
Topping them is the Waitomo, a tourist spot for over 130 years!
5.9 Boating Across the Spaces Inside Waitomo
Tourists end their trip here, taking an epic boating within the Glowworm Grotto.
This ride takes you on the underground Waitomo River to awe at the stunning ceiling illuminated by the worms!
This is the climax of every Glowing Worm Caves tour.
6. Pulling Down the Lights
Visiting the Waitomo Glow Worm Cave is indeed a magical and extraordinary experience.
Here you can catch a glimpse of nature’s unexplored and untouched places.
With instructed tours, boat rides, rafting, and other activities available, there’s something for all to relish!
Read more from us here…
What Waitomo Offers You- Tourist FAQ
- Which is the right time to visit Waitomo Grotto?
The best time to enjoy the cave is between November and April when the caves become warm. Otherwise, they might remain cold throughout the year.
- How to reach Waitomo Glowing Caves?
You can either take a scenic drive by hiring a car or on your own.
Also, you can catch a bus to the spot.
Check out here how to reach from Auckland to Waitomo Caves.
And from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua.
- Where to stay around Waitomo?
This is for tourists who wish to stay close to Waitomo before embarking on a trip to the caves and enjoying other regional activities.
Different hotels and lodges are available to suit the budget of different tourists on Bookings.com and Agoda.com. Try picking the Waitomo accommodation of your choice there!
- What is the ticket price to the caves?
For adults, it’s $ 50 NZD. For a child, it is $ 23 NZD.
Ensure to pre-book your favorite slot on the official website, as limited tourists are allowed inside the caves for conservation purposes.
- What are the things to do in Waitomo?
From nature lovers to adrenaline junkies, these caves offer numerous activities to explore, enjoy and discover.
From boating to black water rafting in the subterranean spaces, there is something at the caves to enjoy throughout the day.
Check this link to pick your choice of activity at the caves!
Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are. This natural place is truly astonishing. Really want to explore it one day.