The Best Show Caves in Oceania

Glowworms

Four of the six caves here have glowworms. They are the larvae of a small fly, they live on damp cave ceilings, and they give off a blue-green light that attracts prey. They show only in darkness. At Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand a guided walk of about 25 minutes ends in a short silent boat ride under them. Gunns Plains Caves in Australia has glow worms near the end of its one-hour tour, after about 54 steep steps and some low passages.

Wading and floating

New Zealand also has the longer, wetter tours. Down to Earth Waitomo takes small groups through an unlit cave on a family farm. They wade a stream with eels in it, climb boulders and squeeze through narrow gaps, and the trip lasts about three hours with all gear and clothing provided. Underworld Adventures at Charleston starts with a van and a small train through rainforest and takes about four hours, with the option of floating out down the river on an inner tube.

Australian show caves

The larger Australian caves are walking tours with a guide. Jewel Cave at Augusta has around 500 steps down and back up between viewing platforms, and the guide switches the lights off at one point. Jenolan Caves is a group of separate show caves, each booked as its own tour by time slot. The access road there is escorted, and visitors are asked to arrive an hour early for it.