Find Glow Worms (For FREE) in Springbrook National Park

If you’ve ever wanted to witness a magical natural light show, then finding the glow worms at Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park is one of the most enchanting experiences you can have near the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

The challenge, however, is knowing when and how to see them. Glow worms are best viewed at night, and while the walking trail is easy enough to follow, some visitors find it difficult without a guide or transport. Tours are available from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane, but you can also enjoy the experience for FREE if you’re confident navigating on your own.

Having explored Springbrook & Natural Bridge more than 10 times, I’ll share everything you need to know, from how to get there, details of the walking track, and the science behind glow worms, to whether a tour is worth booking. By the end, you’ll be ready to decide the best way to experience this unforgettable natural wonder.

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How to find Glow Worms in Springbrook National Park? 

You can find the FREE Glow worms by visiting the Natural Bridge Waterfall in Springbrook National Park. Ideally, if you get there about 1 hour before sunset in cave area under the waterfall, it allows you to familiarise yourself with the walking track before it gets dark. 

The Natural Bridge waterfall is approximately 1 hour away from Surfers Paradise, and 1.5 hours from Brisbane city. After arriving in the car park (Please see location Map HERE), the entrance is clearly signed for the Loop track.

Just know, you can walk either to the left or right, but walking to the left is preferred, and the cave is about halfway through the track.

Keep in mind that while there are glow worms are positioned in various areas around the Natural Bridge walking track, the cave is where the higher Glow Worm numbers are, and it’s more common to see them year-round.  

As the sun begins to fade, head to the cave section (under the waterfall) on the track and wait for the magic to unfold in front of you.

This spot provides a dark, moist environment in which glow worms thrive. Upon reaching the cave, turn off any flashlights or phones that can disturb the glow worms.  

Allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and keep noise and movement to a minimum (Know the waterfall is extra loud, though). Then, observe as the tiny pinpricks of light scatter across the cave walls and ceiling, simulating a starlit sky.  

In addition, after finishing in the cave, point your flashlight to the ground and carefully walk back out to the rest of the track. You’ll notice that even the walking paths retaining walls are sprinkled with tiny glowing lights, creating an utterly enchanting sight. 

Is it FREE to Access? 

Essentially, Natural Bridge & the Springbrook National Park is all FREE to access (Including seeing the Glow Worms), ensuring that this wonder is available to all to experience its beauty.

But, with Transport logistics, some visitors opt for a guided tour, which will incur a cost for the evening. This can be more convenient if you:

• prefer not to drive to the National Park yourself,
• need help finding them,
• or want to learn local knowledge from a guide.

These tours typically depart on a day trip from Brisbane or similarly from the Gold Coast, offering a convenient option to see Natural Bridge’s enchanting glow worm display (and the waterfall).  

➡  Find Park tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

The tours include transportation, the local insights and narration about the park are incredibly beneficial. Your guide will include information about the unique ecosystem, history, and the life cycle of the glow worm. That said, opting for a guided tour can obviously enrich the experience.

Can you see them during the day? 

Yes, you can find these glow worms during the day, but they are tiny and hard to spot (Especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for). However, if you specifically look for small overhangs with rocky walls, they can be easy to spot, just not glowing!  

What you will see are their sticky strings used to catch their prey hanging down. These are roughly 1 to 2 cm long (very tiny), so make sure you look hard. After seeing them the first time, they will be easy to spot again and again on the walls throughout the track. 

Honestly, I find it very cool to see them during the day, but not as good as in the evening. I have a comparison photo below of the sticky strings next to an Australian 5 cent piece – just so you can gauge the size!

About the Walking Track?

How long is the Walk? 

Overall, Natural Bridge has a 1-kilometre circuit or loop track, which is sealed, well-maintained, and bordered with some fencing. You have a stable bridge to walk over the creek and various points with a few stairs to walk up and down(including into the cave). 

Though the 265 stairs ascending and descending along the track may sound daunting, it’s very family-friendly (Grade 2) and suitable for all fitness levels. So, as long as you have some moveability, then you should be fine. 

I can’t stress enough that walking the entire track is a good idea, especially for the other glow worm areas, the waterfall lookouts, and maybe even glowing mushrooms. 

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Is it difficult to complete the Walk? 

I’ve walked many tracks over the years, but the Natural Bridge Loop track is one of the easiest. Not only is it short and well-formed, but you don’t need closed-in footwear to do it. 

Surprisingly, I’ve used Thongs or Flip Flops for most of my visits! But if you need the extra support, then opting for closed and comfortable shoes is the recommended option.  

Take your time and stop to enjoy your surroundings! While it’s only 1 kilometre long, please allow up to an hour to admire everything along the way. Especially watch for two lookout spots from either side above, then one spot inside a cave where the waterfall cascades down.  

Best Time of year to see them? 

The Glow Worms are best observed when it’s hot and humid, with an optimal time from December to March. However, weather conditions will affect their numbers at the time of year, and their display is significantly reduced during winter. 

➡  Find park tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

With that said, the Springbrook Natural Bridge cave can be a year-round sanctum for glow worms. This is where the temperature doesn’t vary too much, thus, preserving the perfect environment for them. 

About the Glow Worms?

What are Glow Worms? 

Glow worms are the larvae (juvenile stage) of a small fly or a beetle and, in fact, not really worms at all! This stage in their cycle lasts for up to a year. Interestingly, this is the only time they can glow, and when they become adults, they don’t have any functioning mouthparts! 

The glow worms must take in enough substance during the larvae cycle to help them survive adulthood. Depending on whether it’s male or female, adulthood only lasts two to six days.   

Anatomically, the glow worms are segmented, and the light they produce is in the last few segments of their bodies. And, believe it or not, the females are the ones who glow!

They spend a couple of hours glowing every night to attract the males and trap prey.   

What makes them Glow? 

The glow worm’s light is called Bioluminescence and is from a chemical reaction that uses light to draw prey. Uniquely, the glow worm larvae spin a silk thread on which they generally hang from the roof of the cave or rocky overhangs. 

As such, light attracts then captures small insects, who become trapped in the sticky silk threads, much like spiders do with webs. However, for us humans, it produces that starry night sky effect on the cave walls.  

How to Take Photos of The Glow Worms? 

Capturing a photo of the seductive glow worms requires attention to detail and a little patience.

It’s crucial to remember not to use flash photography in case you disturb the glow worms. This light can disrupt their true Bioluminescence, resulting in a poor representation, or they may cease to glow with extra light. 

Instead, opt for a long exposure shot using a tripod. And, the key challenge here is maintaining absolute stillness. This is obviously better with a full-frame or micro four-thirds camera, but it is possible with the phone if you have a tripod. 

That said, finding the ideal exposure level to capture the glow without introducing noise can be tricky.

Most of my best shots were taken with my Olympus Micro Four-thirds camera at F2.8 Aperture, 40-second shutter and ISO 800. Or something around that, depending on your desired shot and conditions. 

Safety and Protection! 

Due to their delicacy, adhering to specific guidelines while visiting these sites is crucial to ensure their protection.  

• Visitors should avoid using lights within the caves, this includes prohibiting flashlight use and photo flashes, as the glow worms could cease to glow or feed in the presence of artificial light.  
• Additionally, using insect repellent and smoking is strictly forbidden, as these substances can be lethal to the glow worms.  
• It is advised to keep noise levels low and limit group sizes to minimise disturbance. However, the waterfalls in the cave is very loud, and it can drown out some of your noise.
• Walk gently and stick to designated paths to avoid disturbing the habitat. 
• Refrain from touching the walls anywhere on the track or ceilings in glow worm caves, as it can damage their environment.
• Keep personal electronics, including phones and cameras, to a minimum to avoid unnecessary light exposure. 
• Avoid bringing food or drinks into the caves, as leftovers and litter can attract pests that may harm the glow worm populations. 
• Dress warmly but avoid using glow-in-the-dark clothing or accessories, which could distract or confuse the glow worms. 
• Follow all posted signage and instructions from park rangers or tour guides to ensure a safe and respectful visit. 

Where else Can you find them? 

Glow worm caves are exclusive to Australia and New Zealand (Making them a bucketlist attraction in either) and present a unique ecosystem where they flourish in their fragile natural habitat.

These caves offer the perfect conditions of darkness and humidity, essential for the survival and production of Bioluminescence.

These can be found in popular areas like the Springbrook National Park in Australia and the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand. But I’ve also seen others outside of Byron Bay and Sydney in New South Wales, plus The Minnehaha Walk at Fox Glacier on New Zealand’s South Island.

These caves attract nature enthusiasts and photographers like me, who are keen to witness this natural phenomenon. The secluded environments support the glow worms’ lifecycle and feeding habits, showcasing an intricate balance within these ecosystems.  

Wrap Up! 

For those who treasure nature, visiting the glow worm caves at Springbrook National Park is an experience that transcends the ordinary. So, whether you’re a local resident or a first-time traveller exploring the Gold Coast, the park’s unique ecosystems, including its nocturnal inhabitants, make it a desirable destination. 

To conclude, the beauty of the glow worms, coupled with the park’s impressive nature, produces an unforgettable journey. However, click here to view more wonders around the Gold Coast and continue exploring our insider tips and guides collection. 

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