Glow Worm Tunnel walking track
Wollemi National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Glow Worm Tunnel walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
2km return
Time
1 - 2hrs
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Gentle hills
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The track is 1-2m-wide and hard-packed ground with sections of uneven stone ground.
Steps
Occasional steps: At around 700m along the track, you'll arrive at the first of over 80 steps:
- There are around 30 stone steps with no handrail that go down to a bridge
- There's another 30 narrow, winding timber steps with no handrail that lead back up the track
- After this, there are occasional stone steps along the track in groups of 2-3.
Other barriers
Pinch points: The track narrows to 0.5m-wide just before the set of winding timber steps after the bridge.
Other barriers:
- There's a barrier at the trail-head with a 1m wide gap for walkers to get around it.
- The glow worm tunnel at the end of the walk is uneven and rocky. The ground may be wet.
Getting there and parking
Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is in the Lithgow area of Wollemi National Park. To get there:
From Bells Line of Road via Newnes Plateau
- Turn off Bells Line of Road at Clarence (Zig Zag Railway).
- Follow the gravel road through Newnes State Forest for 39km.
- Continue on Glow Worm Tunnel Road until you reach the carpark.
- From here, it’s an easy 1km walk along the railway formation to the tunnel entrance.
From Lithgow via Newnes Plateau
- The route is signposted from the corner of Bridge St and Main Street.
- Turn left at Atkinson Street and after 750m, right at State Mine Gully Road.
- Continue on Glow Worm Tunnel Road until you reach the carpark.
- From here, it’s an easy 1km walk along the railway formation to the tunnel entrance.
Road conditions and access
- The unsealed gravel road in Newnes State Forest is in very poor condition with many potholes. While 2WD vehicles can access this route in dry weather, 4WD vehicles are recommended.
- 2WD vehicles may prefer to take the route from Lithgow.
- Please drive carefully on the narrow gravel roads, and look out for wildlife.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
- There's a gravel carpark at the end of Glow Worm Tunnel Road, 1km south of the Glow Worm Tunnel. Car spaces are limited during peak times.
- You can also park at the Old Coach Road carpark and walk along the Pagoda walking track and connect with Glow Worm Tunnel walking track (4km return).
Facilities
- Drinking water is not available in this area so you’ll need to bring your own.
- Please take all rubbish with you when you leave.
Toilets
There's a toilet block with 2 non-flush toilets. One of the toilets is an ambulant toilet.
- Non-flush toilets
Carpark
Seats and resting points
There's a timber bench with a backrest at the very start of walk, next to the carpark and display shelter. There are no other seats or resting points along this walk.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams and may be challenging for people with reduced mobility:
- There are over 80 steps without handrails along the walk
- The track is uneven hard-packed ground and stone
- There's a point where the track narrows to 0.5m-wide after the bridge and before the winding timber steps
- The glow worm tunnel at the end of the walk is uneven and rocky
There's an ambulant toilet and a timber bench for resting at the start of the walk.
Prohibited
Camping
Camping is not permitted in the Glow Worm Tunnel area. The nearest campground is Newnes campground, which is accessed via Wolgan Valley Road.
Cycling
Cycling is not permitted along this walking track or in the Glow Worm Tunnel. You can cycle on Glow Worm Tunnel Road.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and Blackheath office
- 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 4787 8877
- bluemountains.heritagecentre@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 270 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath NSW 2785
Park info
- in Wollemi National Park in the Sydney and surrounds, North Coast and Country NSW regions
Wollemi National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.