Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

The Glow Worm Caves were first explored in 1887 and they have attracted tourists ever since. Situated in the green hilly landscape of the region the caves are a part of a network of underground limestone caves.  It has an underground river flowing through it providing the perfect environment for the glowworms. 


We stayed at the original Waitomo Hotel built in 1907 by New Zealand tourism to cater for all the tourists flooding to see the cave systems and the glow worms.  It was a bit creepy felt like there were a few ghosts around, each wall was wall papered in different floral patterns to suit the Victorian building - so you could trace its history back via the layers and additions, the floors creaked - it reminded me of 'The Ghost and Mrs Muir'. Still I'd recommend it just to retrace the steps of adventurous souls in petti coats from yonder year.


The worms are interesting they line the ceiling of the cave with little blue lights. They are an insect in the larvae stage glowing to attract prey.  The glow is a reaction called bioluminescence which occurs in the larvae's bottom - which the kids liked repeating.  It attracts other insects in order to capture them in their snare lines - sticky threads that decend from the cave roof. 

Doing something they weren't supposed to!

The Victorian Waitomo Hotel

The river boat that glides past the glow worms

Decending into the Aranui Cave

The glow worm snare lines