Glow-worms, Waterfalls & Rainforest Experience
Description
Be impressed by the outstanding Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (UNESCO listed). Hike through ancient rainforests and take memorable photos at a breathtaking lookout. Re-connect to nature as you swim at a spectacular waterfall (weather permitting). Be pleased with an organic vegan dinner, then as night falls, be amazed by the glow-worm magic as you listen to a live instrument play. Head back to Byron rejuvenated after an adventure filled with conscious talks and inspirational ideas. * The itinerary is subject to change according to park closures, weather conditions, and moon position. All itineraries visit a pristine waterfall, an epic lookout, and, a magical glowworm location. * Driving time is around 1 hour and 15min each way with stops along the way in.
Tour Options
Itinerary
* The itinerary is subject to change without notice according to the moon phase, park closures, and weather conditions. All itineraries visit a waterfall, a lookout, and, a magical glowworm location.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Bring covered shoes, refillable water bottle, swimwear and towel, warm clothes for evening
Reviews(465)
I had the most magical experience exploring the waterfalls, rainforest and glow worms. Our guide, Magnus, along with his son, made the entire journey feel incredibly special and personal. From the thoughtfully curated playlist to the organic dinner they organized, every detail was handled with so much care. It truly felt like an authentic Byron Bay backyard experience - swimming in pristine waters, walking through lush rainforest, visiting Protesters Falls, and witnessing the breathtaking glowworms. What made it even more meaningful were the stories and insights shared along the way, which really stayed with me. This wasn’t just a tour, it was an experience - immersive, peaceful, and unforgettable. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to connect with nature in a deeper, more magical way.
Wow! You truly got the essence of what we aim to offer to our guests! Magic is all around the rainforests around here! All the best
10/10 experience and totally worth it! Not only thanks to Dough, who really did an AMAZING job guiding us and providing us with so much information about the nature and history - but also thanks to the stunning places we got to visit. The national park is beyond beautiful and seeing the glow worms at night is a very unique experience. And as a vegan, I was so happy not having to trouble anyone with my dietary needs this time - thank you for that!
Thank you Sina! We will pass the compliments to Doug! Yes the forest is magic and the food is delicious! We are glad to read your review
Chris was such a lovely tour guide. He has a great balance of care for you and passion for nature. He laid out the trip for us (much like in the details when you book) as we boarded and it helped us mentally prepare for the journey. I took a light swim at the first waterfall and enjoyed everyone’s camaraderie as we decided whether or not we would go in, haha. I would recommend water shoes if you do go in. Makes it a little easier. Our dinner was lovely! Bring your glasses if you have trouble seeing in the twilight hours or at night. The glow worm experience is really unique and the darker the better, so make sure your vision is at its crisp. There are plenty of stops for the bathroom. We made one extra lil stop to pick-up his adorable 6-year daughter who was his lil helper for the evening. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of different perspectives as you walk through nature. This is also something Chris reminds you of as he recommends a one-way picture/conversational walk, and the other way silent walk to/fro the waterfall. His flute playing at the glow-worm site topped it off perfectly^_^
Hi Heid! Thank you for the lovely review! It was really special to have my daughter with me that day! She is still talking about it LOL! Thank you for the good energy and positivity!
If you want to get out of the beach and sun this is a must! Amazing experience and highly recommend. Was a drive to get back but worth the trip to see something different.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 🌿✨ We’re so happy you enjoyed stepping away from the beach and discovering a different side of Byron Bay. The rainforest, waterfalls and glowworms truly offer a completely unique experience compared to the coastline. Yes, there is a bit of a scenic drive into the hinterland — but as you said, it’s absolutely worth it to explore the ancient Gondwana Rainforest and see something so special and different. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again one day! Rise Up Team 🌱
Amazing Tour Magnum was informative And the little touches of the candles on the table were so sweet and exceptional tour where I would definitely recommend and go again
Thank you so much for your kind words! ✨🌿 We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing time and that Magnum’s passion and knowledge made the experience even more special. He truly loves sharing the stories of the rainforest and its unique ecosystem. And we’re so happy you appreciated the candlelit dinner touches — we believe those small details help create a warm, memorable atmosphere after a magical evening with the glowworms. It means a lot that you’d recommend the tour and even come again — we’d absolutely love to welcome you back anytime! Rise Up Team 🌱
The glow worms themselves were nice but not that memorable, but I did love the trip to the rainforest and the swim at the waterfall.
We’re so glad to hear you loved the rainforest journey and the waterfall swim though — those ancient landscapes and pristine swimming spots are such a special part of the experience. Thank you again for joining us and for sharing your perspective. We hope to welcome you back to explore even more of the Byron hinterland one day! 🌱 Rise Up Team
The excursion was nice! The vibes in the van while driving out of byron were great thanks to the fun guide, who also gave us lots of input. First waterfall was ok. It was quite rushed and felt a bit strange. Half of us went for a swim, the other half stood around and didn’t know what to do. Then we entered the rainforest which was AMAZING! Great second waterfall but no wildlife at all :( we went back, had lunch (only 2 options - I didn’t like it). And lastly we went back in for glowworms and bioluminescenct mushrooms. The mushrooms and glowworms were great but it was way to strict! A lot of talking, a lot of rules, he even insisted of a specific time frame when we were allowed to take photos - outside of that frame it was forbidden. Thankfully on the way home we found a giant snake and stopped, which was really cool and made the whole experience a lot better for me!
Hi there, Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We’re really glad to hear you enjoyed the overall experience, the rainforest, the glow worms, bioluminescent fungi, and especially the energy of your guide — and what a lucky moment spotting a snake on the way home! Those encounters are always special. We’d like to gently clarify a few points for future guests reading this. Our pricing reflects peak season fares, and prices do vary throughout the year depending on demand and operating costs. When bookings are made through platforms such as Viator, please note that up to 30% of the ticket price goes to third-party agent commissions, which we must factor in to ensure we can sustainably operate, pay staff fairly, and maintain high safety and environmental standards. Wildlife sightings in the rainforest are always unpredictable. While we occasionally encounter animals, we never guarantee sightings — nature decides, and each visit is different. Regarding the glow-worm experience, we understand the photo restrictions can feel strict. These guidelines are in place to protect the glow worms’ hunting behaviour, as flashes and excess light can disrupt them. Keeping the environment dark also ensures that all guests can fully enjoy the natural bioluminescence — something we take very seriously as part of our conservation-focused approach. Our food offering is organic and vegan, sourced from Fundies Café, and is chosen for sustainability and health. While we appreciate that this style may not suit every palate, we consistently receive very positive feedback and believe it aligns strongly with the values of the experience. At the first waterfall, guests who choose not to swim are encouraged to relax, enjoy the subtropical rainforest, fresh air, and peaceful surroundings — though we appreciate your feedback and will continue refining how we guide that moment for mixed preferences. Timing throughout the tour is also carefully managed so we can make the most of daylight and transition smoothly into the night experience. Thank you again for joining us and for sharing your thoughts. We truly value feedback, as it helps us continue improving while staying true to our commitment to nature, education, and conscious tourism. Warm regards,
I had the most beautiful evening on the Glow Worm, Rainforest & Waterfall Tour. The sights and scenery were absolutely stunning. Our wonderful guide, Doug, was deeply passionate about nature and culture, and this truly shone through in his work. He was extremely knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights into the history of the land, as well as the importance of the rainforest and why it should be protected. I left the tour feeling very inspired by him. Thank you, Doug, for the experience of a lifetime.
hank you so much for this beautiful review — it truly means a lot to us. We’re delighted to hear you had such a memorable evening and that the rainforest, waterfalls, and glow worms left a lasting impression. Doug is an incredibly passionate guide, and we’re so glad his love for nature, culture, and the protection of this special land came through so strongly during your experience. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to him — they will mean the world. Our aim is always to create experiences that inspire, educate, and foster a deeper connection with nature, so it’s wonderful to hear you left feeling uplifted and inspired. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back into the rainforest again one day
Fantastic experience! Our family ages ranged from 7 - 75 and all loved the experience. The grandparents (71 and 75) did find the night rainforest walking a little challenging due to the dark and uneven ground, but Douglas was very accommodating and a wonderful guide! We were lucky enough to see glowing mushrooms and glowworms as well as a blue yabby and python. The kids absolutely loved it. The food was great and we would highly recommend this fantastic and unique experience!
Thank you, family, for the lovely review! I am glad to hear it was fun for all ages! Have a great new year!
An unforgettable experience and one we wont forget in a hurry. This is not something you'll find on your own. The guides were cool and new their stuff. They new all the perfect spots off the beaten track. Id encourage everyone to give this ago. The history is amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. Oh & the food was awesome 👌
Thank you Philip! We are so happy to read your review! Thanks for sharing the love!
