Te Anau Glowworm Caves - Te Anau Departure

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

• 2 hours, 15 minutes. 
• 30min boat cruise across Lake Te Anau each way. 
  
• 60mins in the cave system.
• Local expert guides with maximum of 14 people in each group.
• Forest walk included. 
• Good walkways, handrails and well lit key areas. 
• Note - complete darkness in the bottom of the cave system in the 'Grotto'. Consider the appropriateness for young children. 

Experience a mysterious underground world with a guided cave tour past the rushing water of an underground stream before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.

Your trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau on one of our purpose-built scenic cruise vessels.

At the entry to the caves at Cavern House, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you join your guide underground. On the tour of the caves, our friendly guides will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history.

This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards, the caves are very young (12,000 years) and are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall.

Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by hundreds of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Departure Location

Trips to the Glowworm Caves depart from the RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau. Luxe Tours provides instructions in your booking confirmation on how to get there, but it is a short walk or drive from most Te Anau accommodations.

What to bring

Non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket (It’s always cold in the cave 8 - 12ºC), sunscreen/ sunglasses, insect repellent, camera and personal medication (including for asthma and allergies).