Melbourne is home to its fair share of eye-boggling spectacles – from award-winning architectural masterpieces to super impressive art galleries. But if you prefer to get your visual stimulation from the natural environment, read on. Just under a three-hour drive from Melbourne, you’ll find a magical gully that often ignites with the luminous radiance of glow worms. Intrigued? Read on.
Why do glow worms glow?
These tiny, alien-like larvae emit their ethereal blue-green glow through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence – a mix of oxygen, energy and a special enzyme called luciferase. But they’re not just glowing for fun. The light is actually a lure, designed to attract unsuspecting insects into their sticky silk threads.
What are the best places to see glow worms in Victoria?
If you’re keen to catch the glow, Victoria’s got some seriously magical spots, and Melba Gully is the crown jewel. Closer to Melbourne, you’ll find glow worms twinkling in the Yarra Ranges (around Warburton and Mount Donna Buang), in the Dandenong Ranges near Sherbrooke Forest, and even in the tunnels at Neerim when the conditions are right.
Where are the Melba Gully glow worms?
Melba Gully is found just off the Great Ocean Road, about 35 kilometres west of Apollo Bay. It’s part of the Great Otway National Park – a lush pocket of temperate rainforest filled with ancient trees, ferns and meandering rivers. The glow worms live along the Madsen’s Track Nature Walk, which loops through the forest and comes alive after dark.
When’s the best time to see the Melba Gully glow worms?
The glow worms are around year-round, but they really put on a show after rain, when the forest is cool, damp and misty. Aim to visit just after sunset, once your eyes have adjusted to the dark – and remember to ditch the torch or switch to red light to avoid disturbing them.
How do you get to the Melba Gully glow worms?
From Melbourne, it’s about a three-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road with stops – and let's face it, the journey’s half the fun. Stop by at sky-high coastal lookouts, fuel up on fish and chips in Apollo Bay, then follow the signs west to Melba Gully. The car park sits right by the trailhead, and the glow worms are just a short, easy walk from there.
Do you have to pay to see the Melba Gully glow worms?
Nope – the experience is completely free. All you need is a sense of curiosity, a good jacket (the rainforest gets chilly at night) and a hefty dose of good old fashioned patience.
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