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Discover the magical world of the New Zealand glowworm on Auckland's only true guided glowworm tour. Learn about the life cycle of the glowworms in the surrounding nature in central Auckland.

Highlights

• Explore the ancient Pukekawa volcano, Auckland's oldest park
• Discover the magical world of the New Zealand glowworm
• Learn about the life cycle of the New Zealand glowworm
• See the glowworms in their natural habitat without barriers
• Take photos of the glowworms and the surrounding nature

Description

This tour takes you through Auckland’s oldest park, Pukekawa, a 100,000-year-old ancient volcano (from the Pleistocene era), where you’ll discover waterfalls, lush Nikau palms, and the magical glowworms. While this tour has no caves, speleothems and doesn't feature as many glowworms as Waitomo Caves, it's the perfect chance to experience them in Auckland city without the hassle of long drives, entry fees, or restrictions. You'll get to observe glowworms up close, learn about their fascinating life cycle, and snap some great photos. Fun Facts about New Zealand's Glowworm: Scientific Name: Arachnocampa luminosa – a bioluminescent fungus gnat found only in New Zealand. Magical Glow: Their glowing light is a result of a chemical reaction in their bodies, producing a blue-green hue that attracts small insects to their sticky silk threads. Natural Habitat: While they’re best known for lighting up caves like Waitomo, glowworms can also be found in damp forests, near waterfalls, or along stream banks. Sticky Silk Threads: The glowworms produce silk threads up to 30-40 cm long that are coated in mucus, trapping tiny insects for food. Short Adult Life: Adult glowworms live only 2-3 days, focusing entirely on reproduction. They don't eat during this time. Cannibalism: When food is scarce, glowworms may resort to cannibalism, with larger larvae preying on smaller ones. Life Cycle: The glowworm spends most of its life as a larva, lasting anywhere from 6-12 months, before transitioning into its very brief adult stage.

Includes

Experienced and Knowledgeable guide

Important Information

• Please note: this tour has ~30 steps up (and down), ~5% gradient, undulating terrain/gravel/tree roots, the path is dark (not lit with lights - however we use our own lights) and is approximately 1.3km in distance. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a camera for photos.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund