The Waitomo Glowworm Cave

Waitomo New Zealand is located in the Waikato region on the east coast of the North Island..



The First Explorers




Fred Mace (right)

Maori Chief Tane Tinorau
(below)







The Waitomo Glowworm Cave was explored in 1887 by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and English Surveyor Fred Mace. They built a raft of flax stems and with candles as their only lighting, floated into the cave where the stream goes underground.

As they entered the caves, their first discovery was the Glowworm Grotto with its thousands of tiny bright lights dotting the cave ceiling. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness they saw a multitude of lights reflecting off the water. Looking up they discovered that the ceilings were dotted with the lights of thousands of glowworms.

This glowworm is unique to New Zealand. It emits light to attract food in the form of other flying insects. It requires a select habitat to survive. The glowworm must have humidity to prevent it from drying out, hanging surfaces for it to send down sticky feeding lines an adequate food supply of insects brought in on the river, a still atmosphere to prevent lines from tangling and darkness to allow it to show its light.



These stalactites,( the ones which hang down) stalagmites, columns and sculptures have formed as a result of water dripping from the roof of the cave or flowing over the exposed limestone walls. As the water flows down through the earth towards the cave roof and walls, it dissolves limestone in its path. This limestone is then left as a crystalline deposit within the cave

Cave formations - millions of years in the making..

Formed over 30 million years ago there are two levels to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves which are 16 metres apart. The upper level is dry and includes the entrance to the cave, the Catacombs and the Organ Loft. The lower level consists of stream passages and the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is a huge cavern on the lower level of Waitomo Glowworm Cave and at 18 metres in height, it is the largest cavern in the cave. It is a famous chamber known for its acoustics, and many famous singers and choirs have performed here and have been delighted with the purity of the sound.

The boat ride, which wanders underground along the Waitomo River, takes you through the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter the grotto of tiny living lights, you will look in silence at the thousands of glowworm, and you'll immediately experience a feeling of peace and quiet. The guide asks you to be quiet as noise causes the glowworms to extinguish their lights.
I remember being fascinated by the tiny glowworms, and would like to visit again sometime.