8 October to 14 October - Wolgan Valley (week-long camp)

Walk Coordinators: Lyn Evans and Phillip Kendall

Grade: Easy/Moderate Distance: Several day and shorter walks

Base Camp

Meet: Sunday afternoon/evening (no fixed time) at Newnes NPWS Campground at the end of the Newnes Road. Contact Walk leaders for further information on how to get there.

Description: Grade: Varying from easy to moderate-hard

Terrain: Walking trails and some off-track walking in forest and rocky escarpment areas.

This is an extended camp in the Wolgan Valley which includes sections of Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks and state forest areas in the Newnes Plateau. The camp will continue throughout the week from Sunday night to Friday night and we will leave on Saturday before the weekend crowds arrive. It is possible to drive there in one day and arrive at the camp on late Sunday afternoon. How long you stay and when you head back is up to you.

There is lots to see and do.

Newnes is a turn of the 20th century industrial site associated with the shale oil mining industry, with a lot of the infrastructure ruins easily visible and protected within Wolemi NP.

There is a fascinating half-day interpreted walk which we will definitely be including. This is sandstone pagoda country, which is essentially a northern extension of the Blue Mountains and there are some dramatic views including Wolgan Gap, one to watch out for on the Newnes Road, where it plunges into the Wolgan Valley. The terrain makes some of the walking difficult but very rewarding and we would rate it as some of the best bushwalking in NSW.

If you want to skip the harder full day walks, there are plenty of easier and shorter alternatives on NP walking trails close by. We will be including at least two of these easier walks in the program. One of these will involve the route of the former Newnes railway and coach route, with a fascinating tunnel complete with glow worms. The harder walks will include some rocky terrain and bush with the reward of some spectacular pagoda scenery. At the risk of spoiling the surprise, one walk has elements of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!

No bookings or fees are required at the Newnes campground, which has basic facilites including pit toilets and fireplaces and is situated on the banks of the Wolgan River in an attractive setting. Bring drinking water to supplement river water for washing. To get there, turn north off the Great Western Highway a few kilometers to the west of Lithgow, on to the Mudgee Road, and turn right on the Wolgan Valley Road and on through the village of Lidsdale. The Wolgan Road is now mostly bitumen and just after crossing a creek, it turns to dirt for the last 7 km. It is fine for small vans and trailers. Go past the old Newnes Hotel to the National Park campground (not the one next to the hotel). The hotel no longer has a licence but serves coffee on weekends and also has cabins.

Please let us know (philkendall@internode.on.net or by phone) if you are planning to go and we will look out for you.

If you require further information, please contact Phil or Lyn on 64956315. We have lots of brochures and maps of the area but you are welcome to call in at the Lithgow Visitor Centre on your way through if you want to get personal copies. 

Click this picture to see all 215 photos from this walk.

Unfortunately, Peter Constable's video can't be posted on YouTube :(   Here's what Peter said:

"I can’t load Wolgan video to Youtube because of the Fleetwood Mac song, “Seven Wonders”.

Cheers, PC

PS Can do copies if anyone wants any of the clips done so far. 

Need a USB or HDD so I can load them. 

Woolies sell a 3 pack of Lexar 8 gig USB’s for $25"