Trip to Garden of Stones N. P., Lost City and Glow Worm Tunnel.

Karen Davies ….. ….Pajero
Dave and Fay ….. ….Bundera
Wayne and Bette…...Nissan

Trip report by Wayne Brian and Karen Davies

On the 3rd and 4th of May, Bette and myself with the company of Karen, Dave and Fay went on a weekend trip into the area behind Lithgow. Our meeting place was at Glenbrook on the Saturday morning for a 8.30am departure.
We entered the Garden of Stones National Park at approx. 10.15am. Our first stop was at Baal Bone Gap water pressure reducing station where the water from Oberon starts its journey down the escarpment to Glen Alice and Glen Davis. On our way to Baal Bone Gap itself, we passed a very large black snake coiled up         and sunning itself in the middle of the track. Stopping in Baal Bone Gap, we looked in awe at the ferns and sandstone cliffs, taking plenty of photos. Continuing on, we stopped at a lookout over the Wolgan Valley which was very clear and took in Mt Hook. Travelling further on along the 4WD track, we descended down the steep escarpment, arriving shortly afterwards at the Newnes Road and then turning into Blackfellows Hand Road.
I drove through a couple of large puddles on the 4WD track, heading towards where we had lunch. I got stuck in one of these puddles and needed recovery.

Following is an insert by Karen.
Once again I would like to thank both of you so very much for yet another lovely weekend. I had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of it with you all.
I learnt a few valuable lessons over the weekend and I have listed them below...
Lesson 1) Always test the depth of water before you nose dive in.
Lesson 2) Always make sure you're in the correct gear (being low or high range 4WD) before you nose dive into the water.
Lesson 3) Always check what gear you are in when you are performing a Recovery.
Lesson 4) Always take advice from those more experienced than yourself, but if it doesn't look or sound right, always ask the question on the tip of your tongue.
Lesson 5) Always laugh after any event no matter how bad or awful the situation is.
This is what I learnt out of the weekend and loved every minute of it.
All the best
Karen

Stopping at the Temple of Doom, we took a few photos of the large rock formations then headed for Bungleboori to camp for the night. It was along this section that I realised that I was not in 4WD, oops. We set up camp, got some firewood and had a great feed before sitting around the campfire and having a great night.
Next morning, after a good cooked breakfast and we packed up and headed for the Glow Worm Tunnel. After a pleasant 15-20 minute walk, we entered the Glow Worm Tunnel and were amazed at the site of these tiny glowworms on the walls and ceilings of the Tunnel. At the end of the tunnel (which used to be part of the
       railway track from Newnes to Lithgow during the shale oil mining era) we arrived at Grotto Glen where large tree ferns grow amongst the other lush vegetation. On our way back, we headed off into the bush along a 4WD track, stopping at some unusual rock formations called the Lost City. While in the area, we stopped for lunch and then headed home. A great weekend was had by all. There was a lot of interest generated at my workplace from this weekend so I decided to run a portion of this trip as a one day venture which happened on 22nd June.

Glow Worm Tunnel & Lost City Trip
22nd June, 2008

The cooks left Penrith at around 5.45am to get to Bungleboorie to set up the BBQ and to start cooking breakfast. Most of the group met at Glenbrook and we departed from there at approx. 6.45am. We had a good run from Glenbrook, cutting across from Mount Victoria to the Bells Line of Road, we then headed onto the gravel road at the Zig Zag Railway. We continued along a couple more gravel roads until we all arrived at Bungleboorie around 8.00am to the smell of breakfast cooking. The rest of the group from Lithgow arrived hot on our heals a few moments later.
After everyone had finished eating a hearty breakfast, we headed off to the Glow Worm Tunnel which was approx. a 45min drive. Part of the road follows the old railway line (no train tracks anymore) through cuttings and a tunnel that ran from Newnes to Lithgow. On arriving at the carpark for the Glow Worm Tunnel, everyone grabbed their torches and cameras, and then headed off along the walking track towards the tunnel.
After venturing a distance into the tunnel, we turned off our torches and gradually could start to see a few glow worms on the walls and ceiling. Continuing on further through the tunnel, it opens out into Grotto Glen, a beautiful area of tree ferns and high cliffs. On the way back we stopped again to look at the glow worms, a lot more were visible than earlier. Some of the group spotted a couple of liare birds dashing across the walking track.
We drove back to Bungleboorie where the cooks were once again busy preparing our lunch. With the assistance again of some helpers, lunch was soon put together and enjoyed. After the raffle was drawn, we packed up and the group got into a number of the 4WDs and headed out to the Lost City. The rock formations have formed in a particular way over millions of years due to erosion. They look like beehive shapped buildings. The scenery was magnificent with some of group walking further on down to the second level from the carpark for a closer look. The track out to the Lost City had a number of muddy water holes and were a little rough in places but all the 4WDs had no troubles. After some good byes, some of the group departed from from here.
The rest of the group went exploring along one of the side tracks. You could hear a few screams and laughter coming from some of the passengers in the Bundera. We soon arrived back at Bungleboorie and after some more good byes, we all headed off for home. A great day was had by all. I would like to thank Dennis and his team, plus the helpers for their assistance with preparing breakfast, lunch and the raffle. And on behalf of everyone that attended, a big thank you to Wayne who organised the trip. Well done everyone

Trip Photo’s