What is Newnes?

Newnes is located in the scenic Wolgan Valley on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, north of Lithgow, NSW. It used to be a mining town, where Torbanite (a type of oil-shale rock) was mined and processed into a range of oil products. Today, Newnes is a popular spot for day visitors and campers. Very little is left of the town itself, but there are extensive ruins of the oil-shale processing plant to be explored. The walk to the Glow-worm tunnel is also very popular. If you have time, there are a number of other walks in the Newnes area, such as the "Pipeline Pass" walk to Glen Davis, walks downriver to Rocky and Annie Rowan Creeks, or climb "Mystery Mountain", the mountain opposite the Newnes Kiosk. Other activities, such as bushwalking, rock climbing and canyoning are also popular with well-prepared adventurers. Then there is that other "activity" of doing nothing at all; away from busy city life, no TV and no mobile phones; just the sounds of the Australian bush.

The "town"
There was once a town at Newnes, but very little now remains. The shops in the background of this photo were located about half-way between the present day kiosk and the camping area. The land where these shops stood is still privately owned and is fenced.	Today, the old hotel is the last remaining building from the mining period. It was moved to its present site after flooding in 1986. It is now de-licensed, but still trades as a kiosk at weekends. There is also a small museum inside and entry is free.

The oil-shale works

The oil-shale works at Newnes was a very large scale undertaking and the remaining ruins are very extensive. You should allow at least 2 hours to follow the marked walking track through the ruins. <-- (Left) This historic view, dated c.1920, was taken from the hill west of the works, looking towards the east. (Right) --> Today there are extensive ruins to be seen. This is part of the remains of the Paraffin Sheds. Other substantial ruins include the coke ovens, some large retaining walls and the remains of a number of other brick structures.

The glow-worm tunnel

Visitors to Newnes can walk to the Glow-worm tunnel. The walk is a 9km circuit (allow at least 3 hours) that starts at a weir over the Wolgan River 6.5km south of the Newnes Kiosk. <-- (Left) The railway that once came to Newnes entered the valley in a truly spectacular setting. Surprisingly, the engineering on the railway was relatively light and the railway is, instead, a tribute to the surveyors who plotted the route. (Right) --> Today the tunnel is host to numerous glow-worms, but there are other attractions here. This photo looks out from the Newnes end of the tunnel into a pretty, fern-filled gorge between the tunnel and the cliffs.

How do we get there?

There is no public transport to Newnes, so you will need your own vehicle. From Sydney, head across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow; continue west and take the Mudgee (Castlereagh Highway) exit. The Newnes turn-off is at a major road junction, just past the Wallerawang power station at Lidsdale. It is signposted. The first 10km to the bottom of Wolgan Gap is bitumen. The road in the valley is gravel and care is needed, particularly when wet. At all times, DRIVE CAREFULLY. <-- (Left) The road to Newnes is particularly scenic. A map and full description of the road to Newnes is given on the Getting to Newnes information page. Latest road conditions are posted regularly on the Current Conditions information page. Do you want to know more? Then have a look at the other pages on this web-site. Do you have any specific questions about Newnes? Email us at: "newnes[at]tpg.com.au"