Glow Worm Tunnel walking track

Where

Wollemi National Park in Sydney and surrounds, North Coast, Country NSW

Accessibility

No wheelchair access

Distance

2km return

Time suggested

1 - 2hrs

Grade

Grade 3

What to
bring

Hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, torch

Please note

• Glow Worm Tunnel is home to thousands of glow-worms. Help protect them by staying on the path.
• Please take care in the tunnel as it’s completely dark and the ground can be slippery.
• When you turn off your torch, take the time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before you see the glow-worms.
• Try to keep noise to a minimum as glow-worms are sensitive to sound.
• Shine your torch on the ground or use one with a red-light option as red-light is the least disruptive for glow-worms.
• 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 tracks to protect this World Heritage Area.
• The Glow Worm Tunnel to Newnes section of the track may be closed during or after heavy rain because of rock fall and flood risk. Please check alerts for track closures before you leave home.
• The track beyond the lookout is not suitable for children.

Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a short and easy 6km return walk. Just a 2.5 hour drive from Sydney, it’s popular with families and anyone 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 1.5km walk to the tunnel entrance, past an impressive landscape of tall forests, lush tree ferns, narrow gorges and stunning pagoda rock formations.

The 387metre-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. Because the tunnel is long, it gets dark enough to see glow-worms during the day. To see them, switch off your torch, keep quiet, and wait for the glow-worms to light up the tunnel.

Once you reach the end of the tunnel, follow the track for another 500m though lush forests of eucalyptus, wattles and tree ferns with views of the impressive sandstone cliffs that surround Wolgan Valley. Take a break at the lookout to see expansive views of Donkey Mountain, Wolgan Valley and the wet gully environment of Penrose Gorge.

As you walk back the way you came, look out for goannas and lyrebirds. During spring and summer, the walking track is dotted also with yellow pagoda daisies, while banksias bloom in the cooler months.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info