What is on this page:

WARNING NOTICES	THE WEEKLY REPORT	KIOSK HOURS	OTHER MATTERS	LINKS
Go to the bottom of this page for links to other pages on this web site.

Report for weekend ending: Mon 06Feb2012	Changes since last update are highlighted in blue font.
Please note that this page only gives current information. If you have not been to Newnes before, please see linked pages for more general information on the subjects concerned.

WARNING NOTICES.

1. FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCE EMERGENCIES: • There is no mobile phone coverage in the Wolgan Valley nor are there any public phones. • In an emergency, we can call "000" by a private land-line phone at the Newnes Kiosk. • If the kiosk is closed, the next best thing would be to contact Security at the Emirates Resort.   The security gate is about 500m along the entrance road and security here is 24/7.   If this gate is locked and unattended, there is an intercom on a post adjacent to the road just before the gate.

2. TOTAL FIRE BANS AND NATIONAL PARK ACCESS RESTRICTIONS. • Due to our remote location within bushland, at all times please be careful with open fires. • Open fires of any sort are not permitted on "TOTAL FIRE BAN" days. • Subject to the above warnings, there are currently no official restrictions on open fires.

Refer to Basic Information page for explanation of allowable fires at Newnes during the October to March bushfire season. Please check external links at bottom of this page to determine the current situation regarding weather, bushfires and fire restrictions.

3. "TWEETIE PIE": Rock climbers and others should be aware that a stroppy wedge-tailed eagle lives near the top of "Mystery Mountain" and may attack visitors climbing or bushwalking on cliff tops.

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NEWNES - The Weekly Report from last weekend

We are now well and truly back into a quiet period at Newnes, a normal situation for February. Not many campers or daytrippers. However, the weather was quite good, if a bit humid. With luck, it should be quite similar weatherwise next weekend.

The fine weather over the weekend was very useful for our solar-based electric power, building up our batteries to near full power. Several times over the last few weeks we have had to start the generator up to boost the batteries.

The recent wet weather has also created problems with the Wolgan Road. Several places in the first 14km have damaged sections, in spite of having been graded within the last month. Council workers managed to grade to about 3.5km from Newnes during the early part of last week, including work on two culverts in this area, but this quickly broke up in the wet by Friday. About 3km of road was regraded on Monday with more work being carried out on a culvert.

Thomas is away at the moment and there is a caretaker at the pub during this week. Consequently, the kiosk will not be open during the week, but things will be back to normal on Saturday and Sunday.

Weekend Visitor Statistics: There were just three camping groups (one with about six cars) in the main camping area on Saturday night, with two on the flat near the kiosk, one being a group walking the Pipeline Track from and to Glen Davis, overnighting at Newnes. Over the river, there was one group south of the railway station with another group on the Oval. Just one group left on the flat near the kiosk on Sunday night, although there were also some cars leaving just before dark (probably late-running daytrippers). There was only one daytripper noticed on Saturday and he did not stay very long. There were a few more about on Sunday, but things were mostly very quiet at the kiosk.

Newnes Historic Wilderness Retreat: There was a booking for the Colo cabin over the weekend. No further bookings are being taken for next weekend, but there are vacancies from February 14.

If you are thinking of coming, check for availability. Cabins should be booked in advance and you need to ring 6355-1247 (not the kiosk number) to book.

The Weather for last weekend: There was some 43.5mm of rain during the week, including about 0.5mm of light drizzle overnight Friday. Saturday started with low cloud that eventually cleared to a mostly fine morning. Although the day remained fine with no rain, clouds, including some very black ones, were building up in the afternoon. Sunday was generally similar, but with much less cloud and somewhat humid. Monday started fine and humid, but clouds were starting to build up by the afternoon. The current forecast suggests "shower or two" for most of this week possibly rain and/or storms about Thursday and Friday, then possible "shower or two" through the weekend and into next week. I would expect it to be mostly fine again at Newnes, but, again, watch out for possible traffic-damaged sticky patches along the Wolgan Road in the valley.

For up to date weather information it is best to check on conditions (see "Links" below) before leaving for Newnes. On Saturdays and Sundays, a Friday printout of the weekend forecast is posted on the wall near the entrance to the kiosk.

The Wolgan Road:

This section assumes that you are already familiar with the Wolgan Road. If you have not been to Newnes before, or if you have not been to Newnes for some time, please read the Access to Newnes page, for a general desription of the road and what to expect.

At about 800m down Wolgan Gap, half the road is missing and there are some "temporary" road barriers in place at this point. The first 14km of gravel road to the entrance to the Emirates Resort is mostly in good condition, but subject to the following. Although the above 14km section of road has only recently been regraded, weather conditions and traffic have caused some places to become potholed and, if wet, broken up. Places of main concern are at about 6.5km and 9.5km from the bottom of Wolgan Gap and most of the section between "Penrose" property (12km) and the entrance to the Emirates resort (14km). There are some bridge works at the first sharp creek crossing, about 4km from the bottom of the gap [= Burnt Bridge]. The road is narrow at this point and there are potholes. The last 8km of mostly earth-formed road to Newnes is being regraded and about 4.5km had been graded as at Monday. Beyond the graded section, the road is mostly in fair condition, with potholes in a number of places. A section of road alongside "The Corn Paddock" may become slushy in wet weather. The Wolgan River crossing (a side road to the ruins of the oil-shale works) is very sandy and rough. Only 4WD vehicles with good ground clearance should use this crossing.

Emirates "Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa": Please do not enter. Access to this resort is restricted to guests and staff. It is NOT open to the general public.

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Newnes Kiosk - Scheduled opening hours next weekend:
Saturday, February 11:	About 9.30am to 6.00pm.
Sunday, February 12:	About 10.30am to 6.00pm.
The kiosk may also be open outside of these hours. Please note that, when closed, the kiosk is a private residence and visitors should not loiter in the area.
The public toilet and shower block at the Newnes Hotel:
The kiosk and the attached facilities are all privately owned and run. We are asking for a gold coin donation if you only just wish to use the kiosk toilet facilities without otherwise supporting the kiosk. The donation box is in the kiosk and donations are used to help with the cost of building and maintaining these facilities.
There is a charge for using the showers, which are normally kept locked: $5.00 per person per use, plus $10.00 refundable deposit for the key.

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Other Matters:

Newnes Hotel Merchandise: • Some of the special 2007 Centenary sales items are still available, including the fridge magnet, place mats and coasters, sweat shirts and Centenary poster. • Stubby Holders and Coffee Mugs have proved to be very popular and are now available as regular items. • The "Memories of Newnes" DVD is also available as a regular item and can be viewed and purchased at the kiosk.

Tours of Oil-shale Ruins: I am now registered as a "volunteer guide" with the NP&WS. This should enable me to conduct tours through the ruins on long weekends, or for groups at other times by prior arangement. Tours will only be run if and when I can get someone to run the kiosk while I am away.

Newnes Research: I am always interested in meeting people and/or their families associated with Newnes during the operating period. I am also interested in old photos and other memorabilia. If you have such items and are willing to share them, and I am now able to scan-copy such items at the kiosk "while-you-wait".

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Links for further information:
Newnes Accommodation:	"NEWNES HOTEL HISTORIC WILDERNESS RETREAT" - "www.lisp.com.au/~newnes/". Bookings should be made in advance. To book, ring: 6355-1247 (and not the kiosk number).
Road Conditions:	A general description of the Wolgan Road and likely road conditions appear on the Access to Newnes page.
Bush Fire Information: (October to March)	RFS - Fire Danger Map (Newnes is in Area 10, "Central Ranges") RFS - Current Fires
Weather:	The Bureau of Meteorology has an on-line four-day weather forecast for Lithgow weather. For other general information and links about the weather at Newnes, see Basic Information page. For on the spot information (Saturdays and Sundays only) ring the Newnes Kiosk on 6355-7355 during shop hours.
Emirates Resort:	This development has its own web-site at: www.wolganvalley.com . Click here for direct link to Emirates photo-library. Please note that access to this resort is restricted to guests and staff and it is NOT open to the general public.

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Links to the information pages on this web site:

NEWNES BASICS	GETTING TO NEWNES	OIL-SHALE RUINS	GLOW-WORM TUNNEL	OTHER WALKS	OTHER PLACES
NEWNES KIOSK	CAMPING & ACCOM.	TOURS TO NEWNES	ABOUT US	OTHER WEB-SITES	CURRENT CONDITIONS
	RETURN TO HOME PAGE FOR LINKS TO OTHER PAGES ON THIS WEB SITE.