For those wondering
You might think you don’t know the Seven Valleys, but chances are you have seen it, driven through it, or heard stories from someone who has.
For the adventurous
Exploring the Glow Worm Tunnel
Getting There
Reaching the Glow Worm Tunnel begins at Lithgow. Travelling on State Mine Gully Road takes you onto Glowworm Tunnel Road for the journey through the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area and into Wollemi National Park. The road leads through a narrow tunnel and into the car park.
The approach offers glimpses of the rugged terrain that defines the region. From the car park, the walk begins on an undulating, downhill trail toward the tunnel entrance, where a handrail guides you through the tunnel, where the magic takes place.
It's the kind of place that makes you feel a real sense of wonder.
Walking the Track
The walk through the tunnel to Bell's Grotto is a 4km return track and offers an introduction to the natural character of Wollemi National Park. The first 1.4 km follows the alignment of the former railway line, passing through tall eucalyptus forest and shaded gullies lined with tree ferns, with natural rock pagodas rising above the canopy. Inside the tunnel, the walls glisten, and dripping water echoes through the space. The darkness will have you reaching for your phone torch, but you must resist! Hold the rail, walk slowly and let your eyes adjust as the light from the glow worms begins to appear before your eyes.
Beyond the tunnel, the track emerges into Bell's Grotto, covered in dreamy tree ferns and ancient mossy rocks.
The return walk is a steady incline to the car park. Take plenty of rest along the way and enjoy the tranquillity.
Indigenous Significance
Wollemi National Park is part of a cultural landscape with more than 12,000 years of First Nations history. The area is significant to the Wiradjuri peoples whose connection to these lands continues today. The wider park contains ceremonial grounds, grinding grooves, scarred trees and rock engravings that reflect long-standing knowledge and cultural practice.
Moving with care and remaining on marked paths respects the land and Traditional Custodians.
A Moment to Slow Down
The cool darkness of the tunnel, soft glow ahead and gentle return to daylight create a natural sequence that encourages stillness. Taking your time allows the landscape to reveal itself in small and memorable ways, from shifting light on the escarpments, to the rising song of birds in the forest.
Keep exploring
Guides & Itineraries
For coffee lovers
Our cafés are places where good food, friendly faces and a sense of calm come together. These are some of our favourite spots to settle in with a cup and enjoy the moment.
For the Curious Wanderers
Some walks take half an hour. Others take a full day. A few end in darkness, with thousands of tiny lights overhead. We have a track to suit every kind of wander.
For for green thumbs and those that wish they were
Tucked between escarpments, along quiet country roads and behind unassuming gates, the Seven Valleys is home to gardens that reward those who take the time to wander.
For River Seekers
Wild swimming in the Seven Valleys is not something most people come here specifically looking for. It is something you discover along the way.
For the adventurous
The Glow Worm Tunnel is one of the most memorable natural experiences in the Seven Valleys. Set within Wollemi National Park, this former railway tunnel shelters thousands of soft blue lights that cling to the damp stone walls.
Gardens of Stone
· 70 KM
· 1 days
A long gravel ride through open ridgelines and quiet stone country.
For the History Lover
Vertical sandstone cliffs stand guard as you explore the crumbling, vegetation-covered Glen Davis Shale Oil Works structures.
For the Outlook Explorers
If you like your scenery served up without too much effort, the Seven Valleys delivers in spades.
For nature lovers
Towering sandstone pagodas, sheer cliffs, slot canyons and sweeping plateaus give the area a dramatic, sculptural feel. Welcome to Gardens of Stone.
For the explorer
The Bracey Lookout gives a 180° view of the Lithgow Valley, offering one of the best overviews of the city of Lithgow.
For nature lovers
Wolgan Valley is a place of wide horizons, deep stillness and long stories. The valley has been cared for by the Wiradjuri people for tens of thousands of years, and their presence can still be felt in the rock art that lines the sandstone shelters.
Wollemi National Park
· 26 KM
· 2 days
A long gravel ride through open ridgelines and quiet stone country.
Seven Valley's
· 180 KM
· 4 days
A slow camping route through Seven Valleys’ most secluded bush camps.
For the railway enthusiasts
A heritage train ride just outside Lithgow that lets you hop aboard and watch bush, escarpments, and valleys roll by, without needing to be a rail expert to enjoy it.
For lake seekers
Each lake in the Seven Valleys offers its own way of spending a day, shaped by the land around it and the people who know it well.
For the history lover
Built in the 1840's, Eskbank House and Museum showcases a fascinating historical collection of Lithgow's social and industrial heritage.
For the Sky Watchers
Once the sun drops behind the ridgelines, the noise fades, the air cools, and that 7V sky starts to do its thing.
For the Refined Retreaters
Our luxury stays are not about excess, but about quiet beauty, deep rest and experiences shaped by nature.
For the Eccentric Stay Seeker
Staying in the Seven Valleys often means something a little unexpected, with accommodation that reflects the landscape and rewards slowing down.
For the history lover
A heritage-listed 19th century village, Hartley has one of the finest collections of historic buildings in Australia, including its 1837 courthouse.
For the Family Days
Play spaces across the region are practical and easy to use, giving kids freedom to run, climb and explore while the rest of the day unfolds around them.