Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour
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August 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Boat cruise amd tour of caves
Amazing. Highly recommend it!
Great adventure for all ages and fitness levels. You may get a little wet and will definitely be looked after by lovely staff. Enjoy!
A 30 minute cruise to the caves, where the friendly, knowledgeable staff guide you into the caves, pointing out eel and trout in the rushing water. Then into the boats and darkness to experience the beauty of the glow worms. A short bush walk to the information centre, where you can have a warm drink and watch a really interesting video about the glow worms. Then cruise back to Te Anau. Very enjoyable.
What you can expect
Travel from the town of Te Anau to New Zealand's famous underground network of glow worm caves nearby that is illuminated by the light of hundreds of native local glow worms! This glow worms tour will take you into their heart to view this amazing natural display up close. A must-do experience for anyone visiting the Fiordland region, the glow worm caves are located in the lower section of a much larger cave system which extends deep under the nearby Fiordland National Park and consist of a wondrous underground world of flowing water that plays home to hundreds of the shimmering glow worms.
The tour begins with a cruise across the smooth waters of Lake Te Anau aboard our purpose-built cruise vessel as we then disembark on the Western shores and take some time to view the informative displays at Cavern House before being accompanied by your friendly, experienced nature guide into the caves in a small group.
Location
What you need to know
- Tour through the underground network of glowworm caves
- Short guided walk into the forest to view native flora and fauna
- Return Scenic Cruise across Lake Te Anau on a luxury catamaran
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Refreshments are not included however can be purchased at the Cavern House and on the boat at the location of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and also on the cruise vessel
- 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
- Departure Times Daily
- 9am, 11:30am, 3:15pm (Nov - Apr)
- 10:15am (Oct only)
- 2pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm, 7pm, 8:15pm (Oct - Apr)
- 9:30pm (26 Dec - 28 Feb)
- Allow up to 2.25 hrs
- Trips to the Glowworm Caves depart from the RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
- Comfortable walking shoes (non-slip)
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm clothing (8 - 12ºC cave temperature)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen/ sunglasses
- Camera (note: photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave)
- Suitable for all ages with exception of infants
- Child rates apply for 5 - 14 years and infants 0 - 4 years carried free of charge
- No film / photography permitted inside caves
- Morning departure times may vary
- Light refreshments are available for purchase at Cavern House and on the Luminosa.
- A REASONABLE AGILITY LEVEL IS NECESSARY (SOME BENDING IS REQUIRED DUE TO LOW CAVES ENTRANCE AND STEPS ARE INVOLVED). NOT SUITABLE FOR WHEELCHAIR PASSENGERS OR HEELED SHOES
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
Recent reviews
Boat cruise amd tour of caves
Amazing. Highly recommend it!
Reply from Campermate AU Customer Support
Great adventure for all ages and fitness levels. You may get a little wet and will definitely be looked after by lovely staff. Enjoy!
A 30 minute cruise to the caves, where the friendly, knowledgeable staff guide you into the caves, pointing out eel and trout in the rushing water. Then into the boats and darkness to experience the beauty of the glow worms. A short bush walk to the information centre, where you can have a warm drink and watch a really interesting video about the glow worms. Then cruise back to Te Anau. Very enjoyable.
Nice experience, good to know all the stuff about the glow worm. The tour guide was professional and fun, very informative. Highly recommend.
The glow worm cave was fascinating, nice to explore something different on a holiday. The tour guide is quite fun and informative, very nice experience for me and my boyfriend, we enjoy the whole trip. Highly recommend everyone to join the tour!
