Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pupa stage, much like a cocoon. The adult fungus gnat emerges about two weeks
later.
The adult insect doesn't live very long because it doesn't have a mouth. It
emerges, mates, lays eggs and dies, all within about two or three days. The sticky
eggs, laid in groups of 40 or 50, hatch in about three weeks to become larval glow-
worms.
Glowworms thrive in moist, dark caves but they can survive anywhere if they
have the requisites of moisture, an overhang to suspend from and insects to eat.
Waitomo is famous for its glowworms but you can see them in many other places
around NZ, both in caves and outdoors.
When you come upon glowworms, don't touch their hammocks or hanging
threads, try not to make loud noises and don't shine a light right on them. All of
these things will cause them to dim their lights. It takes them a few hours to be-
come bright again, during which time the grub will go hungry. The glowworms that
shine most brightly are the hungriest.
Glowworm Cave
CAVE
(adult/child $48/21; 45min tours every 30min 9am-5pm)
The guided tour of the Glowworm
Cave, which is behind the visitor centre, leads past impressive stalactites and stalagmites
into a large cavern known as the Cathedral. The highlight comes at the tour's end when
you board a boat and swing off onto the river. As your eyes grow accustomed to the dark
you'll see a Milky Way of little lights surrounding you - these are the glowworms. Book
your tour at the visitor centre.
The acoustics are so good that Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Vienna Boys Choir have
given concerts here.
Aranui Cave
CAVE
(adult/child $48/21; 1hr tours 9.30am, 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm & 4pm)
Three kilometres west
from the Glowworm Cave is Aranui Cave. This cave is dry (hence no glowworms) but
compensates with an incredible array of limestone formations. Thousands of tiny 'straw'
stalactites hang from the ceiling. Book tours at the visitor centre, from where there is also
transport to the cave entrance. A 15-minute bush walk is also included.
Ruakuri Cave
CAVE
( 0800 782 587, 07-878 6219; adult/child $67/26; 2hr tours 9am, 10am, 11.30am, 12.30pm,
1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3pm)
Ruakuri Cave has an impressive 15m-high spiral staircase, by-
passing a Maori burial site at the cave entrance. Tours lead through 1.6km of the 7.5km
