Find Glow Worms on the Minnehaha Walk in Fox Glacier

When it comes to tracking down Fox Glacier Glow Worms on the Minnehaha Walking Trail, many first-time visitors are surprised to learn that this magical experience is completely FREE. Tucked away in the small West Coast town of Fox Glacier, this short forest walk comes alive after dark with thousands of tiny blue lights

The biggest challenge is timing and logistics and finding the exact location. Visitors often wonder how hard the walk is, whether it’s safe at night, what time the glow worms are visible, and how it compares to paid glow worm tours?

Having seen glow worms in several places across New Zealand and Australia, I was genuinely impressed by the Minnehaha Track. So, this guide is written for first-time visitors, where I’ll share exactly how to find them, and what to expect!

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How to find the Fox Glacier Glow Worms on the Minnehaha Walk

Fox Glacier town centre is relatively small ( if you can believe only 500 metres long). So if you’re staying close to town, it’s only a short walk to find the Glow Worms.

This is along the the Minnehaha Walking track on the southern side of Fox Glacier (See map here for Directions), New Zealand State Highway 6 and near the corner of Frames Road. 

It’s on the same side of the road, and only a 5-minute walk away from the Bella Vista Motel. Surprisingly, this is where I stayed for the evening and was conveniently placed accommodation for the Minnehaha Walk.

It is absolutely FREE to see these Glow Worms in Fox Glacier. However, there are other areas in New Zealand that charge for entry, like the Waitomo Caves on the North Island and Te Anau Caves in the south (I have done both of these too).

Note: While these other facilities charge a fee for entry, they are way more convenient being able to visit during the day.

Visiting during the day!

My biggest tip is to visit sometime throughout the day first and get your bearings on the small walking trail. In fact, while you can’t see them glowing during the day, you will see their sticky strings hanging down and know exactly where they are when you return.

They are common around wet, dark, and moss-driven areas, especially with overhangs and rocky outcrops. The web-like strings will be tiny and hang about one to two centimetres down. 

When you visit again at night, you will need a torch to help you navigate around. Although you should point this to the ground, even turn it off for a longer period, and let your eyes adjust to the dark. Then, you’ll witness a bright starry sky right before you and one of the world’s bioluminescence reactions. 

Note: If you’re taking children along, always keep an eye on them. The path is straightforward and well-formed, but there is a small stream that will be easy to fall into.

How long is the Walk & Difficulty?

The Minnehaha Walk is a 1.2-kilometre loop walk and will take you about 20 minutes in total to complete. I didn’t walk the whole loop but instead found a few different sections of glowing lights and then returned on the same track.

But, honestly, it probably took the same amount of time anyway. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not seeing the pathway during the day and wasn’t sure where it led to.

No, it’s not difficult to complete, but a little more care and attention is needed at night. The walk itself is relatively flat, nicely formed, and easy to follow around in the loop.

Although, at night, it’s slightly more difficult to get around the nooks and cranny’s. But, this is only because you’re trying to navigate in the dark and look out for the creatures. Therefore, take it very slowly and only use your torch when moving around.

Then, when you find a new spot, turn the torch off, wait for your eyes to adjust, and see the magic light up in front of you. 

Best time to see the Glow Worms?

The Best time to see the Glow Worms is about 30 minutes to 1 hour AFTER sunset or as soon as it gets dark enough. The later you go, the better and obviously, the track will be busier with families and kids early in the early evening (and they generally carry more light).

Know that they will be glowing all night, so don’t be afraid of missing out, but fewer people will mean a better experience for you.

I visited around 10pm at night and saw only one other person on the track. This meant I could control the light and often stopped along the loop. Although, a bit eary being in the dark by myself!

As for the best time of Year, this is in the Spring and after it has rained. Generally from September to November each year. Although, they are still common during the warmer months, which is December to March.

Just so you know, I visited the area in March and still saw plenty of Glow Worms along the Minnehaha Walk. Although, It might pay to check in with the Tourist Information centre during the day to see if they are around. Although, it was my hotel reception that told me about this experience in the first place.

Things to know About Glow Worms?

What are Glow Worms

Glow worms are the larvae ( juvenile stage ) of a small fly or a beetle – So they are not really a Worm at all. This stage in their cycle is the only time they can glow, and interestingly enough, when they become adults, they don’t have any mouthparts. 

They must eat and gain enough substance during this cycle to help them survive in Adulthood, which lasts between two to six days. Therefore, they will only last approximately one year, but this is dependent on the surrounding conditions and how much food they have around.

They have a segmented body, small and similar to a caterpillar, and the light they produce is in the last few segments of the body. But, would you believe it’s the females that actually Glow!

They spend a couple of hours every night with their bottoms in the air, trying to attract the male Glow Worm. But, much like their food, the Males are also attracted to the glowing objects!

Note: You can see more for FREE, at areas like Natural Bridge in Queensland, Australia.

What makes them Glow?

The light that the Glow worm produces is from a chemical reaction and is called Bioluminescence or glowing light produced by a living organism. Like a light bug zapper, Glow Worms use the light as a way to draw in prey. 

This light attracts and captures small insects to their silk threads with sticky droplets, much like spiders do with their webs. It snares the insects, and the Glow Worm, in turn, eats them.

Where to Stay?

If you want to stay close to the walking trail, The Bella Vista Motel is your best choice. I was lucky to be staying at this accommodation on my last visit, which is on the southern end of town.

➡  Compare prices for Hotel deals HERE with Booking.com.

I’ve stayed there twice now, and it’s comfortable and convenient. Plus, It only took 5 minutes to get to the entrance of the Forest.

Other Things to do Nearby?

Beyond the incredible experience of seeing the glow worms, Fox Glacier has plenty of other attractions and natural wonders worth exploring. Here are some highlights to add to your visit:

• Lake Matheson – Famous for its mirror-like reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, especially at sunrise and sunset.

• Gillespies Beach – A wild, rugged beach with historic gold mining remnants and views of the Southern Alps meeting the Tasman Sea.
• Peak Viewpoint – A great spot to capture panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding mountains.
• Fox Glacier Heli/Hike – A short flight to land on the Glacier and walk around.

• Helicopter Flights – Offering unforgettable aerial views of the glacier, Mount Cook, and the Southern Alps.
• Lake Gault Track – A lesser-known hike leading to a pristine alpine lake with stunning reflections of the mountains.

Since Franz Josef Glacier is just a short drive from Fox Glacier, many travellers explore both areas on the same trip. Here are a few more suggestions you can add to your list that are based around Franz Josef:

• Franz Josef Glacier Walk – A scenic valley trail that takes you close to the terminal face of the glacier, with incredible alpine views.
• Tatare Tunnels Walk – Explore old mining tunnels, best visited at dusk or night to spot glow worms.
• Alex Knob Track – A challenging full-day hike with unbeatable panoramic views over Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps.
• Lake Mapourika Kayaking – Paddle through calm waters surrounded by rainforest and dramatic mountain views.

• West Coast Wildlife Centre – See the rarest Kiwi bird (Rowi) and even baby kiwis being raised in their hatching program.
• Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools – Relax in soothing, rainforest-surrounded hot springs after a day of exploring.

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this post today on How to find the Fox Glacier Glow Worms on the Minnehaha Walk. I hope you found the information you were looking for and enjoy planning your visit to see these cute little creatures yourself! Please check out other New Zealand information HERE for planning and inspiration.

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• 3 Day Queenstown Itinerary in New Zealand
• Find the Blue Pools, South Island of New Zealand
• Hiking the Hooker Valley walking Track?
• How to get to Hokitika Gorge on the South Island
• Review: Is Hanmer Springs Hot Pools Worth Visiting?