Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Discover the natural wonder of the Glow Worm Tunnel walking track, a short and family-friendly hike nestled in the lush Wollemi National Park, New South Wales. Starting and ending at Old Coach Rd, this 2km journey is a Grade 3 walk, ideal for moderate-level hikers. Along the walk, spot the stunning pagoda rock formations, tall forests, and of course, the thousands of glow worms that light up the 400m-long tunnel. It's a 1.25-hour trip that's well worth the 165km journey from the CBD, especially for those eager to see native wildlife like goannas, lyrebirds and maybe even a koala.

Length:

2km

Duration:

1.25 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 0m

Min elevation: 0m

Total Ascent: 0m

Start: Old Coach Rd

End: Old Coach Rd

Wollemi National Park

New South Wales

Nearby town: Newnes Plateau

From state capital: 165km

Latitude: -33.23883667

Longitude: 150.2276967

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Hike overview

Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a short, easy walking track, only a 2.5hour drive from Sydney. It's popular with families and Sydneysiders keen to see glow worms in their natural environment.

The track starts from the carpark at the end of Glow Worm Tunnel Road. Enjoy the easy 1km walk to the tunnel entrance, past an impressive landscape of tall forests, lush tree ferns, narrow gorges and stunning pagoda rock formations.

The 400m-long tunnel was built in the early 1900s as part of the railway for the thriving mining industry at Newnes. It's now home to thousands of glow worms that cling to the dark, damp walls. Switch off your torch, keep quiet, and wait for the worms to light up the tunnel with pinpricks of blue light.
On your way back, look for goannas and lyrebirds. If you're lucky, you may spot a swamp wallaby or koala. During spring and summer, the walking track is dotted with yellow pagoda daisies, while banksias bloom in the cooler months.

You can also access Glow Worm Tunnel from Old Coach Road or from Wolgan Valley Road near Newnes. If you're up for a challenge, the 7.5km Wolgan Valley circuit is a 4hr loop that features pagoda and Wolgan Valley views.

For an extended version of this return walk, refer to the The Glow Worm Tunnel Walk (11.5km).

Tips

Please take care in the tunnel as the ground is rocky, uneven and slippery.
It's completely dark inside the tunnel, so remember to bring a torch.
Try to keep noise to a minimum as glow worms are sensitive to sound.
It's best to visit during the week or in spring or autumn. It can be very busy and there's limited parking during summer, weekends, and holiday periods.
Please stay on the walking track to protect the fragile ecosystem in this World Heritage-listed national park.

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.

Gallery

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Walk map and GPX file

Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track (2km)

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Getting there

Closest towns to this walk: Bells Line of Road, Bilpin, Broke, Bulga, Bylong, Capertee, Cessnock, Colo, Colo Heights, Denman, Kandos, Kurrajong, Kurrajong Heights, Lithgow, Mount Tomah, Mount Wilson, Putty, Rylstone, Sandy Hollow, Singleton

Getting to the trailhead in Wollemi National Park.

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.

Please drive slowly along 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 The carpark is 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).

Get there with Google Maps

Similar trails nearby

Looking for hikes and trails in Wollemi National Park or nearby? Try these walks with a similar grade.

Track grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews

Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track (2km)

8 Reviews on “Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track (2km)”

Overall rating

Meggie Anderson

Daniel Holman

24/03/2022, 05:13

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Margaret Gill

Amy Vandervliet Vicki Tillott

06/12/2019, 20:47

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Maddy Kemp

Joel Kemp Aidan Barr Tanika Golbach Tyson Chambers lets gooooo

06/12/2019, 15:17

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Anne Inkognito

Chloe Hobley would you consider this one?

06/12/2019, 14:34

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Katherine Cant

Adam Cant. Please can we go.

06/12/2019, 08:24

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Karl Engler

Teri Rose Howsan

06/11/2019, 22:47

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Courtney Gayle

Liv Gurr , Benjamin Kissel

06/11/2019, 20:46

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Paul Groves

Martin Solms! ?

06/11/2019, 20:16

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Tracey Hubert

Pierrick Hubert on the way back from Sydney?

06/11/2019, 19:27

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Trent Jason Fuller

Suzanne Wallace

06/11/2019, 18:00

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Tips

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file

Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track (2km)