Glow Worm Tunnel walking track

Where

Wollemi National Park in Sydney and surrounds, North Coast, Country NSW

Accessibility

No wheelchair access

Distance

6km return

Time suggested

2 - 3hrs

Grade

Grade 3

What to
bring

Hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, torch

Please note

• Glow Worm Tunnel is home to thousands of glow worms. Help protect them by staying on the path.
• Please take care in the tunnel as it’s completely dark and the ground can be slippery.
• When you turn off your torch, take the time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before you see the glow worms.
• Try to keep noise to a minimum as glow worms are sensitive to sound.
• Shine your torch on the ground or use one with a red-light option as red-light is the least disruptive for glow worms.
• It’s best to visit during the week or in spring or autumn. It can be very busy and there’s limited parking during summer, weekends, and holiday periods.
• Please stay on the walking tracks to protect this World Heritage Area.
• The Glow Worm Tunnel to Newnes section of the track may be closed during or after heavy rain because of rock fall and flood risk. Please check alerts for track closures before you leave home.
• The track beyond the lookout is not suitable for children.

Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a short and easy 6km return walk. Just a 2.5hr drive from Sydney, it’s popular with families and anyone keen to see glow worms in their natural environment.

The track starts from the carpark at the end of Glowworm Tunnel Road. Enjoy the easy 1.5km walk to the tunnel entrance, past an impressive landscape of tall forests, lush tree ferns, narrow gorges and stunning pagoda rock formations.

The 387metre-long tunnel was built in the early 1900s as part of the railway for the thriving mining industry at Newnes. It’s now home to thousands of glow worms that cling to the dark, damp walls. Because the tunnel is long, it gets dark enough to see glow worms during the day. Upgrades to the walking track to even out the surface and install a handrail make navigating in the dark easier. To see the glow worms, switch off your torch, keep quiet, and wait for them to light up the tunnel. 

Once you reach the end of the tunnel, follow the track for another 1.5km though lush forests of eucalyptus, broad-leaved hickory and tree ferns in the wet gully environment of Penrose Gorge. Take a break at the lookout to see expansive views of Donkey Mountain and Wolgan Valley.

As you walk back the way you came, look out for goannas and lyrebirds. During spring and summer, the walking track is dotted also with yellow pagoda daisies, while banksias bloom in the cooler months.

You can listen and learn about railway heritage and glow worms as you see them along the walk with our self-guided audio tour. Download the tour before you leave home to listen to the tour offline as there isn’t any mobile reception along the walk.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info