A Galaxy of Glow Worms !
So, what exactly is a glow worm ?!
How do they glow?
Why are they living in a long abandoned railway tunnel in the Wollemi National Park ?
The iconic Glow Worm Tunnel is a man-made tunnel along a disused railway line that was constructed as part of The Newnes oil-shale works in Wolgan Valley, in the early 1900’s. A standard gauge railway into the Wolgan Valley connected the works at Newnes with the Western Main Line at Newnes Junction.
To me, it’s wonderful that this abandoned tunnel has taken on a natural life of its own, and become a habitat for these amazing glow worms !
Glow worms are the larvae (that’s the immature stage) of a small fly, or fungus gnat. The larval stage is the only stage in their life cycle that can glow. Glow worms have a blue-green luminescent glow called bioluminescence, to attract small insects that emerge from the leaf litter and water to where the glow worms reside. The glow worms construct “snares”, like a spider’s web, made from silk threads and sticky droplets to capture and eat the insects attracted to their glow.
The adults are delicate flies that only live for a very short time…. Just like something from a science fiction book, these small gnats are born without mouths ! So, the glow worms must gain enough sustenance during the larval stage to get them through the rest of their lifecycle. The larvae are believed to live for approximately one year, although this is heavily dependent on environmental conditions and the availability of food.
Over 6 months, National Parks and Wildlife completed a major construction to build a formal path with a handrail inside the 387-metre-long tunnel. This helps visitors remain safe while viewing the glow worms in complete darkness, or with a red-light torch.
No power tools were used during the works, all the work was done by hand and under red light, to protect this magical glow worm colony.
There’s so much more to see in the Glow Worm Tunnel Precinct – including beautiful Bell’s Gorge, and Wolgan Valley Lookout – with amazing views over Donkey Mountain and the Wolgan Valley.
There are a few different options for hiking – the shortest walk is into the tunnel and back, at about 4km return, and the longest – a 9.75km loop including the Pagoda Track and the Old Coach Road, will take you on a journey through Jurassic type landscapes and past the historical remnants of the Wolgan Valley railway. For maps and further information, we would love to see you at the Seven Valleys Visitor Centre – we are also happy to email the information!
Starting from Lithgow, I would suggest allowing 3-4 hours to drive to the carpark, walk to the tunnel and to drive back to Lithgow. If you would like the longer, more adventurous loop walk, you will need around 4 to 5 hours….maybe longer if you like to take lots of photos – like me !
The glow worms of the Newnes Plateau are certainly amazing creatures, situated in the World Heritage listed Wollemi National Park. You may also be lucky enough to spot lyrebirds, honeyeaters, wallabies, wombats, possums and maybe even an antechinus !
Whether you’re a nature lover or a history buff, or you just want to see one of the most beautiful parts of Australia – the Glow Worm Tunnel Precinct is an absolute must for your list.
