32 Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences to Add to Your Bucket List

7. Explore a Hidden Glowworm Cave in New Zealand

Step into a real-life fantasy world as you glide through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where the ceilings sparkle like a starry night sky. Hidden beneath the lush green hills of New Zealand’s North Island, this underground labyrinth of caves is home to thousands of tiny glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa), which emit an eerie, blue-green bioluminescent glow. Visitors can embark on a magical boat ride through the dark, silent caves, where the only illumination comes from the glowworms' soft, twinkling lights above. The effect is absolutely mesmerizing—like floating through the Milky Way, with countless tiny stars reflected in the underground river below. The experience is made even more surreal by the hushed, dreamlike atmosphere, where the gentle sound of water dripping from stalactites adds to the mystery. For those who want an extra dose of adventure, there’s also the option to go blackwater rafting, where you navigate the cave’s underground rivers in an inflatable tube, drifting beneath the glowworms while surrounded by towering limestone formations. The Waitomo Caves are not only a natural wonder but also a spiritual place for the Māori people, who have passed down stories of these mystical caves for generations. Best Time to Go: Year-round, but winter (June–August) offers fewer crowds.