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| First tunnel on the rail trail to Newnes |
Route: Bell, Newnes Plateau, Glow Worm Tunnel, Newnes.
Distance: 58km
The tour can begin either from Bell train station or Lithgow train station, both of which lie on :Cityrail's Blue Mountains train line. Cyclists intending to alight at Bell station should inform the guard so that the train actually stops there. Starting at Bell means a shorter train ride from Sydney and beginning at a higher altitude. Starting at Lithgow means cycling a shorter distance but involves climbing up a steep hill to Newnes Plateau. Most of this day the cyclist follows a route that incorporates the Glow Worm Tunnel Rail trail. Jim Hope has written extensively about cycling (and negotiating) this rail trail here. Nevertheless, I found it a fascinating cycle and will add a shorter report containing some complementary material. For more information about Newnes, Newnes Plateau, the old Newnes railway and the Wolgan Valley, see the Newnes information site written by Newnes local Allan Watson.
Bell, unlike Lithgow has no services. From Bell train station, cycle west along Bell's Line of Road for 8km, noting along the way some of the old dams that used to supply steam engines with water. At the 8km mark, take the dirt road (name?) to the right after stopping at the historic Zig Zag Railway. it for 8km to the Glow Worm Tunnel Road. (There is a major fork in the road around the 4km mark; take the right branch, keeping to the ridge.)
Once on Glow Worm Tunnel Road, head north. About 3km later is the Bungleboori Rest Area, a large enclosed clearing with toilets, bins and picnic tables. I have heard that this place occasionally quite noisy with campers at night. From the camp ground, which at about 1200m above sea level is more or less the highest point on the tour, the road follows the approximate line of the abandoned Newnes railway. Follow the main road (using your judgement at unmarked intersections) through Newnes State Forest for 18km kilometres until Deane's Siding is reached. From here the road becomes one lane wide, making used of old railway cuttings and a short rail tunnel (see top photograph).
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| Newnes State Forest | Rail trail cutting |
After leaving the siding, the road descends for about 9km and ends at a car park, where there are also toilets. From here, the rail trail is suitable for walking, but one can patiently negotiate it with a loaded touring bicycle. Including breaks for photographs, it took me two-and-a-half hours to cover the next three kilometres, but I found the effort rewarding. (Allow more time if you are attempting this with a group of cyclists.) Four times I found it necessary to completely unload bicycle panniers to negotiate awkward obstacles. The second and longest tunnel of the rail trail, known as the Glow Worm Tunnel, lasts about 500m and is pitch black inside except for the small specks of light emitted by hundreds of glow worms. A good torch should be used to pass through, though turn it off in the middle to enjoy the light show.
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| End of the Glow Worm Tunnel |
From the other side of the tunnel, the track follows a creek and is quite over-grown. I walked most of this section. After a couple of creek crossings, the track eventually moves onto a ledge. To see what this section of the railway once looked like, click here. Today much of the vegetation has grown back.
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| Ledge on the Rail trail | A view of the Wolgan Valley from the ledge |
About 3km from the car park, the Glow Worm Tunnel track reaches a major junction. While the the rail trail continues (as a walking track) along the hillside all the way to Newnes, cyclists will find it easier to cycle down the steep access road to the Wolgan River, ford at the weir and head to Newnes along 7km of flat gravel road. The views from the bottom of the valley are still very rewarding.
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| The road to Newnes |
Newnes, once a shale mining town, has little more than an historic pub that no longer serves beer (now functioning as a weekend kiosk). A few cottages are available for accommodation. An official (and free) campsite lies about 500m past the hotel after fording a small creek. It has pit toilets. Water is available from the creek or the Wolgan river and should be treated before consumption.
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| Newnes hotel |
While the cycle from the weir to Newnes adds an extra 14km to the entire trip, in my view the cyclist is handsomely rewarded with fine views, even along the way to Newnes. The campsite is situated in a stunning location. It is popular on weekends (especially long weekends) and during school holidays outside winter. To enjoy the peace, come mid week or during the colder months. Cyclists wanting to camp further upstream to take the strain out of the Day 2 cycle will find information about camping possibilities in the Day 2 entry.
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| Newnes campground: a 180° panorama |
© 2008 Robert Taggart. Last updated 13 November 2008.