Leslie Massey
Glow worms are unique to the Southern Hemisphere and can only be found in Australia and New Zealand. They are not actually worms, but the larvae of primitive flies, and they form a large component of the insects' boom-and-bust life cycle. Glow worms create long, sticky threads to capture their prey, and they can be found in dense rainforests of Gondwanan origin and caves or rocky structures, thriving in permanently wet habitats. Australia has eight recognised species of glow worms, and they can be found in several locations across the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Locations | Springbrook National Park, Blue Mountains National Park, Marakoopa Cave, Tamborine Mountain, Gunns Plains Cave, Mt Field National Park, Otway National Park, Lithgow Glowworm Tunnel, Melba Gully |
| Best time to visit | Warmer, wetter months, from December to March |
| Appearance | Bluey-green bioluminescent light |
| Habitat | Caves, rainforests, tunnels, walkways, rock walls |
| Species | Arachnocampa tasmaniensis, Arachnocampa flava, Arachnocampa luminosa |
| Life cycle | Egg, larva, pupa, adult |
| Food | Small animals trapped by sticky threads |
| Related species | Fireflies |
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What You'll Learn
Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast, QLD
Springbrook National Park, located approximately 45 kilometres from the Gold Coast, Australia, is home to the country's largest colony of glow worms. The park is a World Heritage-listed area, featuring the Gondwana Rainforest and a viewing platform that offers a glimpse into the illuminated cave.
The best time to visit is during the Australian summer, from December to March, as glow worms thrive in hot, rainy, and humid conditions. During this period, the worms light up the spectacular rock formation with a blue-green light, creating a magical experience for visitors.
To reach the glow worm cave at Springbrook National Park, visitors travelling from the Gold Coast or Surfers Paradise should head towards Nerang and continue until they connect with Nerang-Murwillumbah Road. Follow this road until you see the sign for the Natural Bridge in the Numinbah Valley. The Natural Bridge, a waterfall that has eroded through harder surface deposits, forms a natural cavern where the glow worms reside.
While the park can be visited at any time of day for free, joining a guided tour is recommended for a more informative experience. These tours, which typically run from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, provide interesting insights into the glow worms and their ecosystem. If you prefer a self-guided tour, it is best to visit after 8:30 pm to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness and fully appreciate the bioluminescent display.
In addition to the glow worms, Springbrook National Park boasts stunning views, waterfalls, and a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a worthwhile destination for nature enthusiasts.
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Blue Mountains National Park, Sydney
The Blue Mountains National Park, just west of Sydney, offers a variety of trails where you can spot glow worms. The most popular spot is the Grand Canyon Walk, where a small detour to a creek reveals a hidden grotto of glow worms.
The Glow Worm Tunnel is the only well-known glow worm spot in the Blue Mountains, but it is still a magical experience. The tunnel is a former railway tunnel from the days of oil shale mining, now home to thousands of glow worms. The tunnel is about 400 metres long and has a pitch-black section in the middle, allowing your eyes to adjust to what looks like a starry night sky. The quickest way to access the tunnel is via the Glow Worm Tunnel Track, an easy 1.4km walk each way. The entire Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a short and easy 6km return walk, popular with families and anyone keen to see glow worms in their natural habitat. The track starts from the car park at the end of Glowworm Tunnel Road, and takes you through an impressive landscape of tall forests, lush tree ferns, narrow gorges and stunning pagoda rock formations.
Cataract Falls is home to one of the largest glow worm colonies in the mountains. It is incredibly easy to access, just a 450-metre walk from the car park. There are a couple of rocky staircases to navigate, but they are not slippery, and most of the trail is flat. First, you'll arrive at a turning for the upper falls on your right, where you can see a smaller glow worm colony on the fern-covered wall beside the path. Then, you'll reach the huge overhang behind the waterfall, with thousands of glow worms covering the ceiling and back wall. Along the walkway between the two falls, you'll also find incredibly dense numbers of glow worms.
Birdwood Gully is another great spot to see glow worms, just over an hour's drive from Sydney. You'll be greeted by a spectacular waterfall, with water flowing over an overhang that is home to hundreds of glow worms. They are densely packed together, giving the illusion of huge numbers. You can stand directly beneath the overhang, with the glow worms just centimetres above your head, like an exquisite night sky.
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Marakoopa Cave, Tasmania
Marakoopa Cave in Mole Creek Karst National Park, Tasmania, is home to the largest public display of glow worms in Australia. The cave is a 40-minute drive west of Deloraine in the central north of Tasmania. It was first discovered in 1906 and opened to the public in 1912 with tours by handheld lantern. Today, the cave is well-lit and set up for tour groups.
The limestone cave features two underground streams, large open passages, glittering flowstone, stalactites, stalagmites, and sparkling crystals. The cave also has its own unique wildlife, including the Tasmanian cave spider. The glow worms can be viewed on one of two tours: the Underground Rivers and Glow Worms Tour, or the Cathedral and Glow Worms Tour. The latter tour involves climbing 250 steps to reach a large amphitheatre where singing is encouraged. Both tours are 45 minutes long and take place several times a day, every day except Christmas Day. Bookings are recommended for groups of 10 or more.
The Mole Creek Karst National Park also includes King Solomons Cave, a richly decorated limestone cave with lavish colours and a huge variety of formations. Guided tours of this cave are suitable for all fitness levels and ages. If you plan to visit both Marakoopa and King Solomons Caves, it will take about 15 minutes to drive between the two.
Tasmania is one of four Australian states where glow worms can be found, the others being Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. These states are all located in eastern Australia, where the known species of glow worms are confined.
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Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast
Glow worms require permanently moist habitats to survive, so they are usually found in rainforests and wet caves. However, rainforest habitats in Australia are shrinking due to climate change and human impacts.
One place to see glow worms in Australia is Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast. The glow worms here are located in a purpose-built cave at Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery. The site is in a rehabilitated rainforest, the result of decades of replanting efforts. During a tour, biologists guide visitors through the rainforest boardwalk and into the glow worm habitat, where they can see the glow worms up close and learn about their life cycle and behaviour. The cave is filled with thousands of glowing glow worms, and the admission fee goes towards supporting the survival of the species. The tours run every 30 minutes and are a great experience for families.
In addition to Tamborine Mountain, there are several other places in Australia where you can see glow worms. Springbrook National Park, about an hour from the Gold Coast, is home to Australia's largest colony of glow worms. The best season to see them is during the summer months from December to March, as they thrive in hot, rainy, and humid conditions. The glow worms can be found in a cave at the Natural Bridge, where they cover the entire cave ceiling with their bluey-green bioluminescent light.
Another place to see glow worms is the Blue Mountains National Park near Sydney, where they can be found in colonies in caves and on wet rock walls in the moist rainforest habitats. Some of these sites are described as fairy-tale-like locations with large caves behind waterfalls or along towering canyon walls.
Finally, Marakoopa Cave in Mole Creek Karst National Park, Tasmania, is also a popular spot for glow worm viewing. Guided tours take place during the day, attracting approximately 30,000 visitors per year.
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Otway National Park, Victoria
The Great Otway National Park in Victoria is home to many flora and fauna, including glow worms. The rainforest in the Otway Ranges is the ideal place to find glow worms, as they thrive in moist environments.
Glow worms can be found scattered across the region, from Lorne to Lavers Hill. They are usually found in rainforest areas, in dark caves, soil banks, or rocky overhangs—anywhere that's permanently damp. The best places to find them are beneath recessed ledges besides the Otway's boardwalks, where they can drop their lines. The edges of fallen trees and their exposed roots also make great habitats.
In the Great Otway National Park, glow worms live in the damp, cool banks of Melba Gully, also known as the "Jewel of the Otways." Melba Gully is one of the wettest places in Victoria, featuring the Madsens Track Nature Walk, a 1.5-kilometre loop that starts at the picnic ground and passes through dense rainforest. The circuit takes 35 minutes to complete and gets very steep towards the end, but visitors can turn back at any time. The glow worms can usually be found within a short distance along the trail, so there's no need to walk the whole 1.5 kilometres. At night, the soil banks alongside the track light up like tiny galaxies of stars.
Otway Eco Tours offers guided small-group tours of the rainforest, including afternoon kayaking trips at Lake Elizabeth, where guests can spot platypuses and glow worms. Lake Elizabeth is located further inland from the Great Ocean Road and is known for its resident platypuses. A 1-kilometre trail leads from the car park to the lake, and glow worms can often be spotted beside the track on the return walk.
When visiting the Great Otway National Park to see the glow worms, it's important to dress warmly and wear suitable boots. Mobile phone reception can be patchy, so it's recommended to tell someone where you're going. To avoid disturbing the glow worms, visitors should tread lightly, whisper, and keep torches pointed downwards. It's also important not to leave the path or touch the glow worms.
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Frequently asked questions
Glow worms can be found in dense rainforests of Gondwanan origin and caves or rocky structures, thriving in permanently wet habitats. Here are some of the best places to see glow worms in Australia:
- Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast, QLD
- Blue Mountains National Park, near Sydney
- Marakoopa Cave, Tasmania
The best time to see glow worms is during the warmer, wetter months, from December to March.
Nocturnal tours are the best way to ensure you see glow worms. It is recommended to go on a tour with an official guide.
