Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
More than 30 million years ago, the legend of Waitomo began with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean. Now, these limestone formations stand as one of New Zealand's most inspiring natural wonders and a must-see destination. Located on New Zealand’s North Island, visitors will venture 150 feet underground to witness hundreds of thousands of shining insects lining the ceilings of limestone caves.
The caves were first explored in 1887 by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau accompanied by an English surveyor Fred Mace. Local Maori people knew the existence of the cave, but the subterranean caverns had never been extensively explored until Fred and Tane went to investigate. By 1889 Tane Tinorau had opened the cave to tourists.
Glowworms glow to attract insects; when a female reaches adulthood it uses the light to attract a mate. The glow also protects them from getting eaten by predators. Glowworms cover cave ceilings and undisturbed woodland areas where they hunt for prey using their alluring blue glow and a long thread of sticky web. As they fish for food, glow worms create an astonishing sea of starry lights. See thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their unmistakable luminescent light in a subterranean world.
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