NEW ZEALAND

WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES

WAITOMO, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand, known for its population of glowworms, Arachnocampa luminosa. This species is found exclusively in New Zealand. They are found the size of an average mosquito. Glowworm or Arachnocampa luminosa are tiny, bioluminescent creatures that produce a blue-green light. This cave is part of the Waitomo Caves system that includes the Ruakuri Cave and the Aranui Cave.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves were first explored in 1887 by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau accompanied by an English surveyor Fred Mace. Local Moari people knew of the Caves existence, but the subterranean caverns had never been extensively explored until Fred and Tane went to investigate. They build a raft of flax stems and with candles in hand, floated into the cave where the stream goes underground.

As they entered the caves, they came across the Glowworm Grotto and were amazed by the twinkling glow coming from the ceiling. As they travelled further into the cave by poling themselves towards an embankment, they were also astounded by the limestone formations.

Jubilant at their discovery, they returned many times to explore further, and on one independent trip, Chief Tane discovered the upper level entrance to the cave, which is now the current entrance. By 1889, Tane Tinorau had opened the cave to tourists. Tane Tinorau and his wife, Huti, started leading groups through the cave for a small fee. In 1906, the administration of the cave was taken over by the government. They now receive a percentage of the cave's revenue and are involved in the management and development of the cave.

ACTIVITIES AT WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVE

GUIDED TOUR AND BOAT RIDE

The guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves brings the visitor through three different levels and begins at the top level of the cave and the Catacombs. The levels are linked by the Tomo, whoich is a 16 m vertical shaft made of limestone. The second level is calles the Banquet Chamber. This level is where early visitors stopped to eat and there is evidence of this in the smoke on the ceiling of the chamber. From here it may be possible to link back to the upper level to see the largest formation called the Pipe Organ but on busy days, this area is closed to the public because the build-up of carbon monoxide may be hazardous.

The third and final level goes down into the Cathedral, demonstration platform, and the jetty. The Cathedral is an enclosed are with rough surface, now paved, and is about 18 m high, giving it good acoustics. A number of famous singers and choirs have performed here including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

The tur concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. The boat takes the visitor onto the underground Waitomo River where the only light comes from the tiny glowworms creating a sky of living lights.