Glowworm Cave

Glowworm Cave

I just realized, when I write this piece of writing, that I had quite a number of caves tours. I have written about my visit to a cave in Lamongan (Indonesia) and Jenolan Caves (Australia) in this blog previously ... and this is my third article about 'cave'.

I went to Waitomo Glowworm Cave couple of years ago. It is one of the unique places that you should visit if you visit New Zealand. The cave is on the North Island of New Zealand. It is 3 hours driving from Auckland. The cave is just like other limestone caves with its unique formation of stalactites and stalagmites. But, once you are inside the cave, you will be amazed by the tiny little luminescent creatures that hang on the ceiling of the cave.

As it is named ‘Glowworm Cave’, then you will see the population of glowworms in the cave. The lifecycle of a glowworm is eggs – larvae – pupa – adult glowworms. The total lifetime of a glowworm is around 11 months. The light is produced during the larvae stage. Glowworms use its glow to attract, trap and then devour other insects. The adult glowworms is around the size of a mosquito and they have a very short lifespan.
The cave was extensively explored for the first time by Tane Tinorau (Maori Chief) and Fred Mace (an English surveyor) in 1887. However, the cave had been already discovered by Maori quite sometime before the first exploration. Then, in 1889, the cave was opened to the public for the very first time.

I have no pictures of the creatures as photography and video are not allowed during the visit. You also should keep quiet at all times when you are inside the cave. But, this place is highly recommended. You have to place the Glowworm cave in your itinerary if you visit NZ ... the cave with its glowworms are just unique and cool!!