This ancient rainforest hosts one of the largest glow worm colonies

Illuminated stickybeaking through glow worm caves can be found one hour from the Gold Coast.

Like glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the bedroom ceilings of our childhood, glow worms flood darkened spaces with otherworldly light shows. In Queensland’s Springbrook National Park, one of the hidden gems of the Gold Coast Hinterland, the itty bitty insects thrive, clustering into Australia’s largest known colony and drawing queues of awe-struck visitors daily.

From knowing where to find these glow worm caves (well, it’s technically one cave and several rocky overhangs) and precisely when to catch them, to getting across further glow worm hot spots throughout Queensland and Australia’s east coast, our guide to bioluminescent exploration will see you spellbound by its undeniable magic.

Springbrook National Park

Flowing with lush forest, waterfalls, streams, ancient trees and wildlife including several endangered species, Springbrook National Park is a spectacular natural playground that stretches over 6,558 hectares. It’s roughly 40 kilometres inland from the Gold Coast, about an hour’s drive from Surfers Paradise, forming part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest.

While a stroll along any of its trails will highlight the park’s majesty, tackling the one-kilometre Natural Bridge Circuit, off Bakers Road within the Natural Bridge section, will take you straight to Springbrook’s glow worm cave. If you’re driving straight in and out, punch ‘Nerang Murwillumbah Road Reserve’ into Maps.

glow worms inside a cave — Soak in the delicate radiance of nature’s tiny lanterns. (Image: Getty/Camille Niel)

Outsmart long sets of stairs by tackling the walk in a clockwise direction and before long, a striking basalt cave, crafted by the force of a waterfall cascading overhead, is destined to steal your attention. Thousands of the small fly species Arachnocampa flava, which are endemic to south-east Queensland, fill the cave’s roof, creating a blanket of tiny bluey-green lights. Think tiny speckly flies rather than worms, in fact. The sight is soothing yet eerily sinister, vivid yet cloaked in the dampness of the rocky wall — it’s a breathtaking wonder, no matter how many times you spy it.

glow worms inside a cave, Springbrook National Park — Marvel at the bioluminescence. (Image: Getty/Jessica North)

Now, some logistics to amplify your viewing. You’ll need to visit after sunset when darkness enhances the little guys’ radiance, and the best time of year to see them is during the wet season in full heat: December to March. Because it’s summer, you’ll also likely spot fireflies and microbats, so it’s a real feast for the senses.

Queensland National Parks also offer rules to comply with while visiting the glow worm cave, due to these phenomenal attractions being super sensitive to their surroundings.

You should bring torches — one between two people is advised — but visitors are urged to avoid shining them directly onto glow worms. Their light is emitted to lure prey (humans aren’t the only suckers for glow worm caves — midges and mozzies are also drawn in) and shining harsh lights may disrupt the natural feeding process.
No flash photography. Again, harsh light may interrupt feeding cycles.
No smoking, as smoke can kill glow worms.
Do not touch the insects.
Do not apply insect repellent while you’re up close. Again, the repellent could prove fatal to glow worms, so ensure you’re sufficiently lathered before you start the trail.
Cap your group at 12 people. More people and excessive noise mean a greater chance of disrupting those feeding cycles.

Additionally, we recommend wearing super grippy shoes as the grounds can be quite slippery, especially if you’re visiting after some rain. Plus, it’s pitch black in there.

Where else can you see glow worms?

If you’ve got a bit of time on the Gold Coast, you should also check out the Glow Worm Caves at Tamborine Mountain . The insects are real, but the cave is man-made and the team behind it offer guided tours, so you’ll hear all about how glow worms survive and more in-depth storytelling into what you’re marvelling. It’s located near Cedar Creek Estate vineyard on the corner of Long and Hartley roads.

Additionally, we love exploring:

Wollemi National Park, NSW

Located near Lithgow in the Blue Mountains, Wollemi National Park is home to the six-kilometre return Glow Worm Tunnel walking track, leading nature lovers to another high concentration of glow worms. Lining the walls of a historic 387-metre-long tunnel, thousands of the insects are spotted about 1.5 kilometres into the trail.

Great Otway National Park, VIC

One of the wettest corners of the state, Great Otway National Park along the Great Ocean Road boasts its own impressive glow worm population at the park’s Melba Gully. Take the Madsens Track Nature Walk at night to spot the little fellas clinging onto soil banks and overhanging ledges. The walk is about 1.5 kilometres in total.

Marakoopa Cave in Mole Creek Karst National Park, Tas

an undeground stream at Mole Creek Caves — The majestic Mole Creek Caves boast underground streams and spectacular rock formations. (Image: Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman)

A limestone underground structure located about 40 minutes from Tasmania’s Deloraine, the Marakoopa Cave in Mayberry is filled with glow worms but you’ll need to join a tour to access it. Mole Creek Karst National Park’s ticketing office provides seasonal tour options so check out the website to find a pick that’s perfect for you.

Glow Worm Glen Track in Morton National Park, NSW

Located within the Southern Highlands of NSW, Morton National Park is another great spot to catch glow worms spinning their magic after dark. The park’s Garland Road Reserve, otherwise known as the Glow Worm Glen Track, is a two-kilometre return trail illuminated at the William Street section. Park at the top end of the street before carefully scaling down towards a viewing platform where the beauties beam.

Discover our guide to Lamington National Park

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.