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RealNZ - Te Anau Glowworm Caves

4.7
398
Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.

Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.

Highlights

  • Cruise across Lake Te Anau
  • Guided tour of the caves by path, and by small boat in the grotto
  • Complimentary hot drinks

Your magical journey begins in Te Anau with a relaxing cruise to the glowworm caves onboard one of our purpose-built scenic cruise vessels.

Relax on board, enjoy the scenery as we cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau. There is no road access to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

Upon arrival at the glowworm caves, you'll meet your guide and be able to view the interesting displays in Cavern House and learn about this mysterious underground world.

Venturing underground in small groups, you will soon appreciate that the Te Anau Glowworm Caves date back over 12,000 years and are home to a vast network of twisting limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall.

Your experienced and friendly guide will share the fascinating history of the cave and point out interesting highlights along the way.

The highlight of the tour is when you transfer to a small boat in a silent secluded grotto inhabited by hundreds of tiny glowworms, unique to New Zealand - a truly extraordinary sight.

There is time for an optional short nature walk in view of the lake edge.

After a dazzling tour you can reflect upon your experience on the return cruise to Te Anau.

Adult $135.00
Child $65.00 (5 - 15 years)
Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

What's included

  • Return cruise across Lake Te Anau
  • Optional short guided forest experience to learn about the unique flora of the region
  • Guided tour of the caves by path and by small boat
  • Complimentary hot drinks

Location

  • 85 Lakefront Dr
  • Te Anau 9600
  • New Zealand

Notes

  • Duration: 2.hrs 15mins

    Please Note: Some bending is required at the caves entrance and steps are involved.

    Departs: RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau.

    Te Anau is a 2.5 hour drive from Queenstown, so ensure you allow sufficient time to travel between the two locations.

    Check In: Please check in a minimum of 30 minutes prior to departure.

    Note: Photography and video filming are NOT permitted inside the cave.

    Please note, bending is required to enter the caves.

  • Suitable for all 5 years and over. Child rates apply 5 -15 years.

Available Bookings from 23 Dec to 5 Jan 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan
Thu 2 Jan
Fri 3 Jan
Sat 4 Jan
Sun 5 Jan

  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
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Bookings close in 9 hours...

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Bookings close in 11 hours...

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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
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  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
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  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
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  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$135.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

398 reviews

Showing all 398 authenticated Bookme reviews

YONGKYU KIM from South Korea wrote on 11 March 2024

1시간 늦게 도착하여 돈만 날리다

자동차 결함 문제로 1시간 늦게 도착하였다고 리셉션에서 이틀 후에나 예약이 가능하며 돈을 다시 내야한다고 하여서 결국 헛걸음하게 되었답니다. 그것도 5시간을 차로 이동하고서 말이죠 . 회사 규칙상 늦게 도착한 고객에게 귀책사유가 있어 탑승이 안된다고 말할 수는 있습니다. 다만, 그 리셉션에 있는 중국인 여직원의 태도는 어렵게 도착 한 고객을 마치 비아냥거리듯 귀찮다는 듯 탑승이 안된다고만 말하고 다시 예약금을 지불하라는 오만한 태도에 몹시 화가 납니다. 또 한가지는 옆에 있던 뉴질랜드인 여직원이 stand by를 말하니까 그제서야 25분 후에 출발하는 배에 결원이 있으면 탑승시켜주겠다고 마지못하여 알려주었으며 시간 후에는 그냥 쏘리,,,, 그게 다였슴....

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Sharon Rogers from New Zealand wrote on 03 January 2023

Awesome experience

Fantastic from beginning to end. The tours guides were lovely funny and knowledgeable. Loved the glow worms. Beautiful

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Luke McArthur from New Zealand wrote on 23 August 2022

Fantastic

What a fabulous day, the view alone on the boat ride was incredible. The information about the glow worms was really interesting, so much I didn’t know. The glow worm experience itself was amazing on the boat and inside the cave. Highly recommended.

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Ting Cheng from New Zealand wrote on 19 October 2023

Worst experience in NZ

It’s very bad experience. The info provided was misleading and my son was refused to get onboard, and the boat left without telling us. We bought 3 tickets and none of us were provided service. So we paid for nothing.

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Heidi Brown from New Zealand wrote on 26 July 2022

Magic experience

We loved this tour! The views from the main big boat were spectacular of the fiordlands, the crew were friendly & funny, and the caves were like being in another world. Our guides Hurry & Will were so good - knowledgeable & entertaining. Definitely go on this trip if you have the time! Glow worms are magic :)

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