When is the best time to see glowworms?

After full dark on a still night, ideally without a bright moon. Rain earlier in the week is fine — heavy rain on the day is not, especially for caves.

Not for the roadside dells and formed bush walks. For actual caves like Waipu, Okupata or Clifden, you need caving experience, proper lights and a group — or take a guided trip instead.

Can I photograph glowworms?

Yes, with a tripod and a long exposure. Turn off your flash and any autofocus light — both disturb the glowworms and ruin the display for everyone else present.

Are glowworms dangerous or is it dangerous to see them?

The glowworms are harmless. The hazards are the environment: flooding, slippery rock, unmarked passages and driving unfamiliar gravel roads in the dark.

While you're here

Free glowworm spots in New Zealand you can visit without a ticket

The famous glowworm caves charge admission for good reason, but glowworms are everywhere in New Zealand. Here are free spots on both islands, and how to see them without hurting them.

7 min read · updated 2026-09

Glowworms are the larvae of a native fungus gnat. They live on damp, dark, sheltered surfaces — cave ceilings, cuttings, undercut banks, the walls of a bush track — and their light is a lure for insects. They need still, wet, black conditions, which is why the best free displays are down bush tracks at night rather than in a lit cavern.

Take a torch, then turn it off. Glowworms dim when they are lit or disturbed, and touching them kills them. Give your eyes five minutes in the dark and the display improves dramatically.

North Island

Waipu Caves, Northland

An unguided limestone cave off Waipu Caves Road, south of Whangārei on the gravel back roads. A strong display and a genuine cave, which means wet feet and real caving hazards. Never enter during or after heavy rain.

Abbey Caves, Whangārei

Three caves — Organ, Middle and Ivy — about 4km from central Whangārei on Abbey Caves Road. Organ Cave has the best display. Expect water anywhere from ankle to thigh deep, and check the local council for current access, as this site has been closed to the public at times.

Ruakuri Bush Walk, Waitomo

The easiest good one in the country. A short, well-formed loop through limestone arches and a tunnel just off Tumutumu Road, in the heart of the Waitomo cave district — and it is free, at night, with no booking. The obvious add-on if you are already visiting the ticketed caves.

Hot Water Beach walkway, Coromandel

Not a cave. The bushes along the walkway to the beach are lined with glowworms after dark. If you are timing a low tide at night to dig a hot pool anyway, look sideways on the walk in.

Okupata Caves, Tongariro

Unmarked caves in the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area, reached off State Highway 47 on a rough gravel road. For confident, properly equipped visitors only: the passages are unmarked, the stream floods, and the road is hard on a low car.

Limestone Creek, Apiti, Manawatū

Small signposted caves north of Apiti village off Table Flat Road. Visible by day, far better after dark.

Kakahi, near Taumarunui

A long grotto in an old railway cutting near the Whakapapa River, accessible from State Highway 4. Around 100 metres of glowworms and almost nobody there.

South Island

Hokitika Glow Worm Dell, West Coast

The single most accessible free glowworm site in New Zealand — a 50-metre track straight off the highway at the northern entrance to Hokitika, walkable from town, fine with a pushchair. Five minutes of your evening for a genuinely good display.

Velenski Track, Lake Brunner

A 20-minute bush walk signposted from Taku Street in Moana. Quick, easy and reliably good after dark.

Clifden Caves, Southland

A one-to-two-hour limestone cave network near Clifden Gorge, off State Highway 96. Adventurous — wet feet, a narrow ledge above a pool, and a serious flash-flooding risk. Do not enter during or after heavy rain, and do not go alone.

Doing it safely

Never enter a cave during or after heavy rain — flash flooding is the real danger, not the dark.
Carry two light sources and tell someone where you are going.
Unmarked caves are unmarked: memorise the way you came in.
Wear shoes you don't mind soaking, and something warm — caves are cold year-round.
Don't touch the glowworms or their silk threads, and don't shine light on them for long.
Take everything out with you, including any food scraps.

Most of these sit at the end of an unlit rural road, which is not the drive you want after a long day. If glowworms are on your list, we can build an evening around one on a private tour, or get you to the trailhead town on a transfer.

Common questions

When is the best time to see glowworms?: After full dark on a still night, ideally without a bright moon. Rain earlier in the week is fine — heavy rain on the day is not, especially for caves.
Do I need a guide?: Not for the roadside dells and formed bush walks. For actual caves like Waipu, Okupata or Clifden, you need caving experience, proper lights and a group — or take a guided trip instead.
Can I photograph glowworms?: Yes, with a tripod and a long exposure. Turn off your flash and any autofocus light — both disturb the glowworms and ruin the display for everyone else present.
Are glowworms dangerous or is it dangerous to see them?: The glowworms are harmless. The hazards are the environment: flooding, slippery rock, unmarked passages and driving unfamiliar gravel roads in the dark.

Turn local advice into an actual day out

Once you know what you want to see, we'll get you there. Private day tours with a local driver-guide — you choose the stops, we handle the route, the timing and the roads.

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