Charleston GlowWorm Cave Adventure

Experience one of New Zealand’s (if not the world’s) best GlowWorm displays, deep in the Paparoa National Park, near Punakaiki New Zealand.

Just 30 minutes north of Punakaiki on the Wild West Coast lies the historic township of Charleston. But the old gold-mining town hides a spectacular secret: the beautiful Metro / Te Ananui Caves and one of the best GlowWorm displays you can experience anywhere in the world!

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Key information

• Must be able to walk unassisted for up to two hours on uneven surfaces
• Requires a degree of personal fitness – see Risk Disclosure below
• Warm clothing, rain jacket and robust footwear advisable
• Minimum age 5 years
• Cameras permitted (no tripods please)
• Allow 3.5 hours return from our Charleston Base
• Trips depart
  • 9am & 11.30am Summer (October to April – Daylight Savings Time)
  • 10:00 am Winter (May to September)
  • Please be here 15 minute prior to your scheduled departure

About the activity

Meeting at our modern Adventure Centre and Cafe, you’ll be equipped with a caving helmet and light.  You’ll join one of our professional and passionate guides, starting your journey into the spectacular Paparoa National Park, right on the doorstep of Charleston.

Following a short drive into the deep canyon of the Nile / Waitakere River, you’ll board the Nile River Rainforest Train for a 20 minute journey into the lush forests of the Paparoa National Park. It’s then just a short walk to the Metro / Te Ananui Cave, climbing high above the river to the cave entrance.

Leaving daylight behind you will explore as the first cavers did: with only the light you bring, and not a a handrail or boardwalk to be seen! It’s truly one of the few natural and “real” guided cave experiences left: seeing, feeling and getting close to an ancient wonderland sculpted by water and decorated with fragile calcite formations.

Underground you will visit such famous formations as The Altar, the highly decorated ‘Hall of Refugees’, Pancake Corner and more, before you emerge back to daylight at the awe-inspiring Main Entrance of the Metro / Te Ananui – having journeyed right through the mountain!

A short rest, then you’ll head back to find the stars of the show: Arachnocampa luminosa: the New Zealand GlowWorm. One becomes ten, then a hundred, then thousands. Before your eyes, entire galaxies of GlowWorms appear, spanning the ceiling over your head, following the streamway into the distance. Your guides will enrich your journey with captivating illustrations, explanations and stories connecting you with this special place.

Returning via the same path, you’ll emerge back to the daylight. A short stroll leads back to the train, then to the comparative civilisation of Charleston.

This is an unique journey that takes you into one of the few publicly accessible cave systems that remain in its state of natural, unspoiled beauty. It’s a simply stunning Eco-tour in a very special place.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information. It’s also important you understand the risks associated with this activity – please read our Risk Disclosure prior to booking this activity and call us if you have any questions.

Feel like something a little more adventurous? Try our award-winning Underworld Rafting – a 4 hour cave-rafting experience in the stunning Metro / Te Ananui cave system.