Experience the mysterious underground world on a guided cave tour, navigating through the rushing waters of subterranean streams before drifting in serene darkness illuminated by hundreds of glowworms.

Your Te Anau Glowworm Caves adventure begins with a scenic cruise aboard one of our specially designed vessels to the western shores of Lake Te Anau. At Cavern House, the cave entrance, explore informational displays about this geological wonder before joining your underground guide. During the cave exploration, our knowledgeable guides will highlight key features and share insights about the caves and their history.

This subterranean realm is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards, these caves are remarkably young (12,000 years old) and continue to be shaped by the erosive forces of the rivers flowing through them. The result is a labyrinth of limestone passages adorned with sculpted rock formations, whirlpools, and thundering underground waterfalls. In the deepest chambers, beyond the roaring waters, you'll board a small boat to enter a silent grotto inhabited by hundreds of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. Their bioluminescent display in the absolute darkness creates an extraordinary spectacle.

What’s included

• Scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau
• Guided tour of the caves by path and by small boat
• Complimentary tea and coffee

Departure Location

Trips to the Glowworm Caves depart from the RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau.

Getting to Te Anau

Self-drive - Te Anau is about a 2.5-hour drive from Queenstown and approximately 5 hours from Dunedin.