The spectacular Glow Worm Caves are a much loved part of the Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery on Tamborine Mountain.
The caves consist of two large chambers interlinked by tunnels. The first chamber is the "presentation cave", where you will be shown an audiovisual display on Glow Worms and the construction of the caves.
This chamber is complete with very realistic formations (speleothems), such as stalagmites and stalactites, water features and flow stone. From this stunning cave, you will be guided through the magical "Glow Worm cave", filled with thousands of glowing Glow Worms!
The experience is one you have to see to believe!
What are Glow Worms?
Glow Worms are the larvae (immature stage) of a small fly. The larval stage is the only stage in their life cycle that can glow.
The adults are delicate flies that do not have working mouthparts, and as such, only live for a small number of days (females two days, males six days).
As the adults are unable to feed, Glow Worms must gain enough sustenance during the larval stage to get them through the rest of their lifecycle. The larvae are believed to live for approximately one year, although this is heavily dependant on environmental conditions and prey abundance.
Why do Glow Worms Glow?
Glow Worms glow to attract small insects that emerge from the leaf litter and water the Glow Worms reside. The Glow Worms construct "snares" (like a spider's web) made from silk threads and sticky droplets to capture and eat the insects attracted to their glow, which they then feed on.
The Common Name Glow Worm
Many organisms fall under the same common-name Glow Worm. For example, many marine organisms can glow, as do firefly larvae and adults (which are actually beetles!) and even real earthworms!
The chemicals needed to generate the glow are all produced within the body of the Glow Worm and the light is projected out of the very rear end of the larva. The light produced is reportedly 99% light and only 1% heat, making it an extremely efficient source of light!
Glow Worm Habitat Requirements
Glow-worms require permanently moist habitat for their survival and are therefore dependant on rainforests and wet caves for their continued survival.
However, rainforest habitat in Australia is shrinking due to climate change and human impacts. The glow-worm cave provides perfect conditions for glow-worms within a controlled environment, therefore, decreasing negative impacts on our local rainforests.
Address: Cedar Creek Estate
Corner of Long and Hartley Road 104 - 144 Hartley Road North Tamborine QLD 4272
Phone: 07 5545 1666 or 1300 CEDAR CREEK
Fax: 07 5545 4762
Email: info@cedarcreekestate.com.au
Opening Hours: Daily from 10am - 4pm. Guided tours operate every half hour. It is recommended to book ahead for groups.