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RealNZ - Te Anau Glowworm Caves

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4.7
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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 ¤145.00
Child ¤69.00 (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 25 Apr to 8 May 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Sat 25 Apr
Sun 26 Apr
Mon 27 Apr
Tue 28 Apr
Wed 29 Apr
Thu 30 Apr
Fri 1 May
Sat 2 May
Sun 3 May
Mon 4 May
Tue 5 May
Wed 6 May
Thu 7 May
Fri 8 May

Bookings close in 8 hours...

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$145.00
  • Child$69.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$129.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant Free
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Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

A great adventure
A great adventure
Barb Forlano from Australia
A great adventure
A great adventure
Barb Forlano from Australia
A great adventure
A great adventure
Barb Forlano from Australia
Great experience
Great experience
hill0 from NZ
Excellent
Excellent
Kylie from NZ
Excellent
Excellent
Kylie from NZ
Pure NZ
Pure NZ
Ken Hope from NZ
Pure NZ
Pure NZ
Ken Hope from NZ
te anau glow worm caves tour
te anau glow worm caves tour
Linda from NZ
Amaazzzinnngggggg!!!!!
Amaazzzinnngggggg!!!!!
zaynah from NZ
Amaazzzinnngggggg!!!!!
Amaazzzinnngggggg!!!!!
zaynah from NZ
Great trip in wet weather
Great trip in wet weather
Toni Nikolaison from NZ
Great trip in wet weather
Great trip in wet weather
Toni Nikolaison from NZ
Amazing
Amazing
Ilisa Higgins from NZ
Amazing
Amazing
Ilisa Higgins from NZ
Amazing tour guide and experience
Amazing tour guide and experience
zoec6 from NZ
Stargazers
Stargazers
Rowena Panchaud from NZ
Stargazers
Stargazers
Rowena Panchaud from NZ
Stargazers
Stargazers
Rowena Panchaud from NZ
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
falgunip from NZ
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
falgunip from NZ
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
Bucket list- once in a lifetime
falgunip from NZ
Enjoyable and informative
Enjoyable and informative
Tracey Peace from NZ
Amazing
Amazing
treshap from NZ
Well worth the visit
Well worth the visit
kimj17 from NZ
Well worth the visit
Well worth the visit
kimj17 from NZ
Wow experience in Te Anau
Wow experience in Te Anau
williaml4 from NZ
Wow experience in Te Anau
Wow experience in Te Anau
williaml4 from NZ
Wow experience in Te Anau
Wow experience in Te Anau
williaml4 from NZ
Can't fault it!
Can't fault it!
Brenda Wallace from NZ
Can't fault it!
Can't fault it!
Brenda Wallace from NZ
Can't fault it!
Can't fault it!
Brenda Wallace from NZ
Glow worms
Glow worms
sjones from NZ
Glow worms
Glow worms
sjones from NZ
Cool experience
Cool experience
landonr from NZ
Cool experience
Cool experience
landonr from NZ
Spectacular
Spectacular
Vanisi from NZ
Spectacular
Spectacular
Vanisi from NZ
Spectacular
Spectacular
Vanisi from NZ
Awesome Backyard Experience
Awesome Backyard Experience
Violet from NZ
Awesome Backyard Experience
Awesome Backyard Experience
Violet from NZ
Awesome Backyard Experience
Awesome Backyard Experience
Violet from NZ
Awesome
Awesome
Andrew Batts from Australia
Great
Great
Holly Harris from NZ
Great
Great
Holly Harris from NZ

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

5 Stars
337
4 Stars
57
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
7

4.7

424 reviews

Read all 424 authenticated reviews for RealNZ - Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Showing all 424 authenticated Bookme reviews

mt.bang from Singapore wrote on 18 April 2026

Glow Worm Cave

The experience was amazing. Phenomenal sight coming from a city dwelling people.

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Quintin from New Zealand wrote on 07 April 2026

Excellent!

We had an amazing time at the Glowworm Experience! Our guide was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole tour feel relaxed and enjoyable. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and added to what was already a magical experience. Great value for money. We would highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and memorable outing.

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Peter from Australia wrote on 23 August 2025

Magical Experience

The rushing water in the cave, the natural formation of the cave, and the stunning glowworms made this a magical experience.

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chloe26 from New Zealand wrote on 18 April 2026

Disappointing

I remember doing this as a kid and was excited to take my kids to experience it. Unfortunately it was a big let down. It's way overpriced for what you get (even one of our guides agreed with me about price). We did a lot of activities while on our trip and this ended up being the most expensive but the most disappointing. There definitely should be an opportunity for a photo stop, even if it's just at the first platform once in the caves. There is so much artificial light and a lot of noise going on so to say no photos because of the light or noise is bull. Just turn the flash off! The staff were friendly and the boat ride comfortable but I definitely wouldn't be recommending it. There seemed a lot less glowworms to what I remember as a kid 😞

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chrisc4 from New Zealand wrote on 30 June 2025

Amazing

This was a fantastic experience. Everything from boat ride over, walking to get to caves and in the caves. The internal waterfalls were unbelievable. The entire experience was well worth while. Staff were all super friendly and knowledgeable.

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