A visit to the Glow Worm Tunnel in Wollemi National Park, combined with the scenic walking track to get there, makes for an adventurous day out.
The former railway tunnel is home to a large colony of glow worms that are capable of putting up a mesmerising light show.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this unique tourist attraction north of Lithgow in the Blue Mountains.
| Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours (including stops) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steps and uneven surfaces) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The Glow Worm Tunnel is located approximately 35 km north of Lithgow, in Wollemi National Park, part of the Blue Mountains. Driving there is quite an adventure in itself.
There are three access points to the Glow Worm Tunnel:
- Glowworm Tunnel Road car park (2 km return) (see map)
- Old Coach Road car park (4 km return) (see map)
- Wolgan Road (8 km return) (see map)
The track notes below describe the walking track starting from the Glowworm Tunnel Road car park. This is the most common way to reach the tunnel.
1. Glowworm Tunnel Road car park
The best way to get there is via State Mine Gully Road, followed by Glowworm Tunnel Road, which is an unsealed road.
Follow this road to the end, where you will find a car park. The start of the walking track to the Glow Worm Tunnel is at this car park.
Please be aware that you will have to drive more than 30 km on unsealed road. While it’s not the worst road, there are many potholes, even more so after a period of rainfall.
The road can certainly be conquered with a 2WD vehicle, but we strongly recommend going there with a 4WD car with higher ground clearance. It’s safer, and it makes the drive so much more enjoyable.
Glowworm Tunnel Road also includes an old tunnel, which is quite exciting to drive through. It’s a narrow tunnel, so be mindful of cars potentially coming through from the other end of the tunnel.
2. Old Coach Road car park
Towards the end of Glowworm Tunnel Road, you will see a somewhat confusing intersection with Old Coach Road.
That road leads to a different access point to the walking track, starting from the Old Coach Road car park.
Most people seem to choose the access point at the end of Glowworm Tunnel Road, so we recommend driving straight ahead at this intersection.
3. Wolgan Road
There is a third walking track leading to the tunnel. This hike starts from Wolgan Road, north of the tunnel.
The benefit of starting from there is that it only involves 1 km of unsealed road instead of 30+ km. The drawback, however, is that the walking track from there to the Glow Worm Tunnel is 8 km (return) instead of 2 km.
Track Notes
The walking track from the car park to the Glow Worm Tunnel is approximately 2 km return. It’s a relatively easy walk, with one set of stairs and some sections with rough surfaces.
We strongly recommend bringing solid hiking shoes, in addition to a torch that you can use while exploring the tunnel.
Map
Here is a map of the walk from the car park:
The start of the walking track is at the car park, where you will also find a toilet should you need it.
The information board is interesting also, as it tells you more about this part of the Blue Mountains and the former railway. It’s worth a read.
The first section of the walk is pretty straightforward. It involves walking through a patch of scenic bushland on an easy path.
Depending on recent rainfall, you may even see a small lake as part of Tunnel Creek, which branches off from Wolgan River further north.
The track soon hits a small footbridge that crosses Tunnel Creek, followed by a steep set of stairs through a narrow passage.
Just before arriving at the tunnel, you will see an intersection with the Pagoda Track, which connects with the Old Coach Road car park.
Once you get to the tunnel, grab your torch and start exploring.
Remember, to see the glow worms, it’s best to turn off your light sources for a few moments, stand still, and make no sounds.
Glow Worm Tunnel
The Glow Worm Tunnel is an abandoned 400-metre long former railway tunnel that was constructed in the early 1900s.
It was built as part of a 50 km long railway line that connected the Newnes Oil Shale Mine to the Western Main Line.
As the mining works moved further north to Glen Davis in later years, the railway line became redundant. The line was ultimately dismantled in 1940, and the Glow Worm Tunnel was abandoned.
The tunnel has a bend, so it is pitch black in the middle, as there is no sunlight penetrating. But that’s a good thing because it keeps the glow worms happy.
Will you see glow worms on your visit to the tunnel?
Yes, most likely. To increase your chances, walk towards the middle of the tunnel, where it’s dark. Turn off your light sources and stand still for a few moments.
The glow worms will then start appearing around you, mainly on the tunnel’s walls and ceiling. It can be quite an incredible sight!
You can continue walking to the other end of the tunnel, where the track continues. That track ultimately arrives at the Newnes Campground, with various intersections with other trails in the area.
One of these intersections is with the alternative walking track to the tunnel from Wolgan Road that we mentioned further above.
Wolgan Valley Circuit Walk
If you’re keen to do more hiking and exploring in this area, there are some options to consider. Prepare yourself beforehand, and familiarise yourself with all the various walking trails that exist.
The most adventurous walking trail is the Wolgan Valley Circuit Walk, which combines the Pagoda Track, the Old Coach Road Track, and the Glow Worm Tunnel Track.
Take a look at this map for a full display of this 9 km circuit walking track. It’s a fantastic walk where you won’t see many people around.
The Blackfellows Hand Cave is a large rock overhang and shelter with well-preserved Aboriginal drawings.
