Glen Davis

Glen Davis is a hauntingly beautiful ghost town tucked into the rugged Capertee Valley of New South Wales. Once a bustling shale-oil mining settlement, today it stands as a quiet, atmospheric relic where crumbling brick walls and rusting machinery are slowly reclaimed by eucalypts and kangaroos. For travellers who love offbeat history and wild, lonely landscapes, this is a detour that lingers long after you leave.

Highlights & What to See

• Ghost Town Ruins: Wander among the evocative remains of the retort buildings, powerhouse, and cottages — the most photogenic ruins in the state, with interpretive signs that bring the 1940s boom-and-bust story to life.
• Capertee Valley Lookouts: From the escarpment above, the valley unfolds as one of the world’s widest canyons. Time your visit for golden hour, when the sandstone cliffs glow orange.
• Glen Davis Campground: Pitch a tent beside the old schoolhouse and feel the silence of the bush. It’s basic but atmospheric — a true off-grid experience.
• Historic Walking Trail: A self-guided loop (about 1.5 km) passes the mine entrance, railway formation, and cemetery. Allow an hour to soak in the melancholy.
• Birdwatching & Stargazing: The valley is a haven for superb lyrebirds and diamond firetails; at night, the lack of light pollution reveals the Milky Way in staggering clarity.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 2–3 hours exploring the ruins and lookouts, which is enough to feel the site’s eerie charm. If you’re camping, stay one night to fully absorb the valley’s quiet and watch sunrise paint the cliffs. For a day trip from Mudgee or Lithgow, combine Glen Davis with a drive through the Capertee Valley and a picnic at the historic Glen Davis Hotel (now a private residence but still photogenic).

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Mudgee — an hour’s drive west, with award-winning wineries, farm-to-table dining, and heritage streetscapes.
• Lithgow — gateway to the Blue Mountains escarpment, with the Zig Zag Railway and stunning lookouts like the Hassan’s Walls.
• Wollemi National Park — offers wilder bushwalking, Aboriginal rock art, and the chance to see the rare Wollemi pine.
• Rylstone — a pretty village with a classic pub, the Kandos Museum, and access to the Gardens of Stone National Park.
• Bylong Valley Way — a scenic drive that connects Glen Davis to the Hunter Valley, winding through farmland and forest.

Please check official sources for current details.