Is Waitomo, New Zealand, the world’s most incredible cave?

NO, YOU’RE not dreaming. This surreal cave was discovered by a Maori tribesman in the 1800s. What lies inside is truly jawdropping.

IMAGINE you’re floating on a small wooden boat through a damp cave.

It’s completely dark inside, save for dots of light from the bodies of a thousand teensy blue insects. Their electric-looking selves create a Milky Way of colour above your head.

No, you’re not dreaming. You’re in Waitomo, New Zealand.

Close up of a glow-worm at Waitomo. Picture: Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo Glowworm Grotto is home to Arachnocampa luminosa, a species of glow-worm that lives only in New Zealand. An old Maori tribesman named Tane Tinorau discovered the cave in the 1800s, and he began offering tours to visitors in 1889.

Thousands of tiny blue insects inside the cave. Picture: Donnie Ray Jones

On today’s tours of Waitomo, you’ll float through 250 metres of majestic caverns: the Catacombs (an entrance to the cave network), the Banquet Chamber (where olden-day visitors gathered for meals), and the Cathedral (where famous choirs have performed, due to its killer acoustics).

Glowing. Picture: Tim Parkinson

You’ll finish with a glimmering finale in the Glowworm Grotto, which feels like another universe entirely.

The entrance. Picture: Michael Button

Spot the glow worms. Picture: TravelWayOfLife

Stalactites inside Waitomo.