See Te Ana-au Caves Glow Worms, New Zealand

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The Te Anau caves are a culturally and ecologically important system of limestone caves on the western shore of Lake Te Anau, in the southwest of New Zealand. Inside the cave visitors will get in a boat to explore the grotto - which is pitch black. There floating around in silence, gaze up at the awesome sight of thousands of little lights attached to the ceiling of the cave - the glowworms! A trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau on a cruise vessels. The caves were discovered in 1948 by Lawson Burrows, who found the upper entry after three years of searching, following clues in old Māori legends. It later became a major tourist attraction for the area, as the part of the caverns close to the lake shore is home to glowworms. The unofficial name used by the national caving association isAurora. The caves are geologically young (estimated 12,000 years) and hence there is only one tiny stalagmite. Since the caves lie in the Murchison Mountains (where the endangered takahe were rediscovered), and are themselves very fragile, access is restricted. Commercial guided tours by punt through the water-filled caverns run daily, operated by Real Journeys.

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