Newnes State Forest

Deep in the Wollemi wilderness, Newnes State Forest is a rugged, off-the-beaten-path destination that feels like a secret shared only with the cicadas and the glow-worms. This former industrial site, once home to a bustling shale-oil mining community, now offers a hauntingly beautiful blend of industrial ruins, dense eucalypt forest, and pristine waterways. It's a place for adventurers who don't mind a bit of dirt road and who crave solitude, history, and wild swimming.

Highlights & What to See

• Newnes Hotel Ruins – The crumbling remains of the historic pub, with its peeling wallpaper and rusted verandah, are an evocative photographer's dream. Wander the site and imagine the rowdy miners who once bellied up to the bar.
• Glow Worm Tunnel – A short, easy walk leads into a dark railway tunnel where thousands of glow-worms twinkle like a subterranean starry sky. Bring a torch and turn it off for a few minutes to let your eyes adjust – the effect is magical.
• Wolgan River – Crystal-clear, cold, and perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day. The river also offers excellent opportunities for platypus spotting at dawn or dusk if you're patient and quiet.
• Old Mining Infrastructure – Scattered throughout the forest are relics of the shale-oil era: brick retorts, a power station, and the eerie, silent chassis of old trucks. It's like a ghost town swallowed by the bush.
• Walking & Mountain Biking – Numerous fire trails and the Pipeline Track offer solid day hikes and rides through tall forests of mountain blue gum and blackwood. Keep an eye out for wallabies and lyrebirds.

Suggested Time to Spend

A full day is ideal to soak up the atmosphere, explore the ruins, and take a dip. If you're camping overnight at the free campground (no facilities), you'll have time for a sunset walk and an early morning glow-worm visit. Most visitors find that 4–5 hours is enough for a taster, but the forest rewards those who linger.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Wollemi National Park – The vast, rugged wilderness that surrounds Newnes, with deep canyons, pagoda rock formations, and the famous Wollemi Pine. Combine for serious bushwalking.
• Zig Zag Railway – A heritage steam train that winds through the Blue Mountains, offering a nostalgic ride with epic views. About 45 minutes south.
• Lithgow – A historic town with a strong industrial heritage, good pubs, and the excellent Eskbank House Museum. Stock up on supplies here before heading into the forest.
• Gardens of Stone National Park – Known for its unusual sandstone formations and pagoda-like outcrops, this park is a short drive east and offers fantastic photo ops.
• Glen Davis – Another former shale-oil ghost town, further north, with well-preserved ruins and a similar eerie vibe. A great add-on for history buffs.

Please check official sources for current details.