Discover the Enchanting Blue Glowworm Forest in Waitomo, New Zealand

Located 160 kilometers south of Auckland, New Zealand, lies the charming town of Waitomo, renowned for its underground cave systems. The name 'Waitomo' comes from the Maori language, where 'wai' means water and 'tomo' means hole, symbolizing 'surrounded by green waters.' In 1887, a local Maori chief, Tane Tinorau, and an English surveyor, Fred Mace, first explored the glowworm caves using a flax raft and candlelight. They discovered countless glowing points reflecting on the water and three layers of stalactites. The local government opened the caves to tourists in 1888. The easiest way to experience Waitomo's underground wonders is by walking or taking a rubber dinghy. The caves, with a history of 15,000 years, are home to the 'blue glowworms,' scientifically known as Arachnocampa Luminosa. These glowworms hang from the cave ceiling, creating a curtain of translucent threads with droplets that resemble crystal beads. As they are not adept at flying, they tend to stay in one place, forming the beautiful glowworm caves. The greenish-blue lights on the cave walls shimmer over the dark waters, making visitors feel as if they are in a mystical blue-green galaxy. #NewZealand #WaitomoGlowwormCaves #Glowworms