< Secreted beside western banks of stunning Lake Te Anau in southwest New Zealand, tunnels a subterranean journey out of the legends of the Maori people, the native settlers of the island. The gushing force of the river that feeds the lake hews intricate geological formations out of the rock face of the Aurora Caves, taking visitors through rushing rapids into darkened caverns filled with the pin-prick luminescence of thousands of glow worms – the famous glow worm caves of Te Anau. This is one of the prime natural Te Anau attractions among the host of scenic tours and sights available to the guests of Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau.

The exploration of these caves takes you on a scenic cruise across the shining lake to the Cavern House, where visitors can be educated about the geological formation and cultural mythos of the caves as well as the life cycle of the cave’s resident main attraction – the glow worms – before being guided along the mysterious underground paths. First discovered in 1948 by explorer Lawrence Burrows, the natural limestone labyrinth of passages are adorned with whirlpools, natural rock formations and even an underground waterfall. Hidden within is found a midnight grotto illumined by thousands of glow worms, whose eerie blue luminescence imbues the caverns with a mystical and hallowed feel.

The caves themselves are only around 12,000 years old, which is relatively young in geological terms. The torrents of water are still in the process of carving out rock formations, a process which geology enthusiasts are very eager to observe. These are all part of an area of the Murchison Mountains where access is restricted; however, the licensed commercial tours which take visitors through a guided two hour exploration of these caves are one of the most sought-after activities in the area.