Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

• 10-Day North to South Island NZ Private Tour From Auckland

• 5-Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour From Queenstown

• 6-Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour From Auckland

• 9-Day South to North Island NZ Private Tour From Queenstown

Prices for admission and a guided tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are seasonal. During the low season (March to September), tickets cost NZ$129 for adults (from 16 years old and above) and NZ$65 for children aged 5–15. In the peak season (October to February), tickets cost NZ$145 for adults and NZ$69 for kids. Under-5s are always free, but all kids must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Guided tours of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves typically take around 2.5 hours. The experience begins with a boat ride across Lake Te Anau, which is the only way to reach the caves. Your guide then leads you inside the caves, both on foot and on a small boat, before you return to Te Anau by boat.

While it’s not always necessary to book a Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour far in advance, it is advisable, especially in peak season. Each tour can accommodate 12 participants, and tours are often fully booked during busy times. The area is less busy in winter, so you may be able to get onto a tour with less planning if visiting then.

The only way to get to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves themselves is by boat on a guided tour. The village of Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park—it’s about 106 miles (170 kilometers) from Queenstown and 72 miles (117 kilometers) from Milford Sound. You can drive yourself there or join a tour from Queenstown.

No, you’re not allowed to take photos or videos inside the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. This is because you need a dark environment to see the glowworms properly, and your eyes need time to adjust to the darkness. Taking out brightly lit phones and using a flash can disturb the tour for other participants, as well as yourself.