Newnes Plateau

Newnes Plateau is a wild, windswept sandstone plateau in Wollemi National Park, offering a genuine off-the-beaten-path escape into deep time. This is a landscape of pagoda-like rock formations, ancient pagoda forests, and abandoned industrial relics, where the silence is broken only by bird calls and the rustle of eucalypts. It's a place for hikers, history buffs, and anyone seeking solitude in one of Australia's most rugged wilderness areas.

Highlights & What to See

• Glow Worm Tunnel – An abandoned railway tunnel now home to thousands of glow worms. Walk in with a torch, then switch it off to see the starry ceiling of bioluminescent larvae.
• Pagoda Rock Formations – Eroded sandstone towers that look like ancient temples. The walk to Bungleboori Picnic Area passes through a surreal garden of these formations.
• Newnes Hotel Ruins – The remains of a 1900s mining town, including the hotel and shale oil works, with interpretive signs that bring the industrial past to life.
• Wolgan Valley Lookout – A breathtaking viewpoint over the valley, often with views of kangaroos and wedge-tailed eagles riding thermals.
• Deep Pass – A challenging but rewarding walk through slot canyons and over pagodas, with panoramic views of the Grose Valley.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day exploring the plateau's highlights. Start early at the Glow Worm Tunnel (allow 1–2 hours for the return walk and photos), then drive to the Newnes Hotel ruins for a picnic and history lesson. In the afternoon, tackle the Pagoda Walk or Deep Pass – both take 2–3 hours. If you're keen on photography or longer hikes, consider camping overnight at one of the basic campsites. The plateau feels remote, so pack all supplies as there are no services.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Lithgow – A historic mining town with the Zig Zag Railway and excellent bushwalking in the surrounding escarpment.
• Blue Mountains National Park – Iconic lookouts, waterfalls, and the Three Sisters at Katoomba, about two hours' drive south.
• Wollemi National Park – One of Australia's largest wilderness areas, with remote canyons, the Wollemi Pine, and multiday hikes.
• Port Macquarie – A coastal city with beaches, a koala hospital, and the Hastings River, offering a contrast to the plateau's inland wilderness.
• Mudgee – A renowned wine region with cellar doors, gourmet produce, and heritage architecture, ideal for a relaxed stopover.

Please check official sources for current details.