Glow-Worm Caves Tamborine Mountain facts for kids

The Glow-Worm Caves Tamborine Mountain is a cool place to visit in Tamborine Mountain, South East Queensland, Australia. It's a special cave built just for glow-worms!

These caves are home to local Queensland glow-worms called Arachnocampa flava. Even though the caves were built by people, they look very natural. You'll see amazing features like stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (growing from the floor).

About the Glow-Worm Caves

The Glow-Worm Caves are part of the Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery. They were specially designed to be a perfect home for glow-worms. The goal is for the glow-worm family to grow and live on their own in the cave.

Building the Glow-Worm Home

Building the cave was finished in 2004. The glow-worms were moved in during September of that year. This was just in time for their breeding season in October. The caves officially opened to visitors in March 2005.

How Glow-Worms Live in the Cave

The glow-worms need food and the right environment to thrive. Their food is insects, like fruit flies. These insects are caught every day by sweeping nets around the grounds. Buckets with rotten fruit also help attract fruit flies for the glow-worms to eat.

The cave needs to be damp for the glow-worms to be happy. A special misting system sprays water every two hours. This keeps the air humid and moist, just like a natural cave.

Visiting the Caves

When you visit, you'll go on an exciting tour! It starts with a short video that tells you all about glow-worms. This video is available in different languages, like English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean.

After the video, you can take fun photos. You'll stand in front of the cool stalactites and stalagmites. Then, the main part of the tour begins! You'll walk through "glow worm alley" for about 15 minutes.

Seeing the Glow-Worms

Inside "glow worm alley," you'll get to see the amazing glow-worms up close. Your tour guide will use a special red light. This light lets you see the glow-worms without disturbing them. Your guide will also share lots of interesting facts about these unique creatures.

Tickets and Souvenirs

You can buy your tickets at the glow-worm office. This office is located near the cellar door. They also have a gift shop where you can find cool souvenirs. You might find sweets, t-shirts, bookmarks, and magnets to remember your visit!