Auckland Glowworm Tour

Avoid the one-way 3hr bus tour (6hrs total return for a 45min cave experience).

Explore Pukekawa, Auckland’s oldest park, built on a 100,000-year-old volcanic landscape from the Pleistocene era. Discover hidden waterfalls, lush Nikau palms, and the enchanting glowworms that light up the area, creating a magical experience.

While this tour doesn’t have as many glowworms as Waitomo Caves, it offers a fantastic opportunity to see them up close in Auckland, without the long travel times, high entry fees, or crowded spaces. You’ll witness their bioluminescence, learn about their fascinating life cycle, and capture incredible photos of these natural wonders.

Fun Facts About New Zealand's Glowworm: Scientific Name: Arachnocampa luminosa – a bioluminescent fungus gnat found only in New Zealand.   Glow: Their blue-green light comes from a chemical reaction, attracting insects to their sticky silk threads.   Natural Habitat: Though famous in caves like Waitomo, glowworms also live in damp forests, near waterfalls, and along streams.   Sticky Silk Threads: Glowworms create silk threads up to 30-40 cm long, coated with mucus to catch insects.   Short Adult Life: Adults live just 2-3 days, focused solely on reproduction, with no feeding during this phase.   Cannibalism: When food is scarce, larger glowworms may eat smaller larvae.   Life Cycle: Most of a glowworm's life (6-12 months) is spent in the larval stage, with the adult stage lasting just a few days.