Today’s walk was the one I was really looking forward to. I’d heard a lot of people talk about it and it was always tantalisingly out of reach due to landslips and road closures etc.
Coming at it from the Lithgow end of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area (GSSCA) meant it was a long and winding drive to get to the trailhead (as opposed to a relatively short walk from Newnes), but it did not disappoint.
Grab your hiking shoes and your head lamps, we are off to the Glow Worm Tunnel.
Walk Name: Glow Worm Tunnel & Wolgan Valley Trail
Format: Loop. You can walk it in either direction or for a shorter walk, just stay on the trail to the Glow Worm Tunnel (out and back)
Approx. Distance: 9.4km loop
Total Ascent: 263m Total Descent: 277m
Rating: Grade 4
Timing: Allow 3.5hours to have a good look around.
Terrain: Generally clear, wide-ish and level-ish bush trails. Some steps and stairs, and short ascents/descents.
Weather: After yesterday’s storms and showers, I was blessed with a gorgeous blue-sky day.
Getting There: The trailhead is a 36km (47minutes) drive North of Lithgow. Again, the road can be rough in places, narrow and twisting. You also have to drive through two old rail tunnels and they are quite narrow.
Where to Stay: It’s totally up to you if you want to hang around. I was homeward bound.
General Comments:
- WOW! Now I know what all the fuss is about. This is a fabulous walk with excellent variety and something to appeal to most walkers.
- In its simplest format, the walk loosely follows the historic Wolgan Valley rail line – hence the tunnels you have to drive through and the one that is home to the glow worms.
- The Wolgan Valley rail line was established in 1907 to transport shale oil from the Newnes works and Glen Davis Shale mine and works (a further 9km northwards).
- I am undecided whether the establishment of the railway was visionary or sheer madness as the terrain has to be walked to be believed!
- It’s a true engineering feat.
- As it turned out, it wasn’t the best business decision ever made and, after multiple landslips, derailments, and rail line collapses, the line closed in 1932.
- The benefit for us is that this walk is not just a very pretty walk through the Aussie bush, but also an enjoyable history lesson. You are literally walking on the old rail bed, over old timber sleepers and past crumbling rail infrastructure.
- Signage/waymarking is very good and this is enhanced by a number of interpretive signs explaining, not only the flora and fauna of the area, but also the life and times of the people who built the railway, and how they lived in the area.
- For those keen to learn more, there is an audio guide which can be downloaded here. Do that before leaving Lithgow as there is no mobile service covering this walk.
- Taking the loop option delivers gorgeous sweeping views of the Wolgan Valley and soaring sandstone escarpments. There are also a few small babbling brooks and lush fern trees to add variety to the landscape.
- The Glow Worm Tunnel itself is 387m long and it is PITCH BLACK! Unfortunately, I didn’t see a lot of glow worms as I visited in Winter. Apparently, they are more plentiful and active when the temperatures are warmer. What I did see was very special.
Top Tips for this Trail:
- The Tunnel: When I say it is dark in there, I mean REALLY dark. There is a raised path with good handrails, but some people may find it a little claustrophobic in its nothingness.
- Light: Bring a headlamp with a red light setting for use in the tunnel or keep your phone torch pointed at the ground only. The glow worms are hurt by bright lights.
- Route: The route out and back to the Glow Worm Tunnel is around 6km return. If you choose to walk the loop (9.4km), walk it in an anti-clockwise direction to minimise the number of climbs. 😊 To walk anticlockwise, turn right onto the Pagoda track. It is signposted.
- Mobile Service: There is none. Take a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) if you are walking on your own.
- Toilets: There are toilets in the carpark area without handwashing facilities.
- Water: Bring plenty of water as there are no taps or tanks.
- Safety: All the usual Aussie bush safety rules apply to this walk. Definitely do not walk in this area if there is a high chance of bushfire as there is simply no avenue for escape. Also be snake-aware when walking in warmer seasons.
I probably looked like the village idiot on this walk due to the large smile plastered across my face! As I am wont to say, it was an absolute cracker!
Please tell me I am not the only one who has ‘village idiot’ moments. What makes you smile?
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