Glow Worm Tunnel - NSW

One of two tunnels on an abandoned railway line, the Glow Worm Tunnel curves enough to be very dark in the middle. It is very wet underfoot with a small creek flowing through it. The conditions in Glow Worm Tunnel are ideal for certain "glow worms" which inhabit the walls and roof of the tunnel. Glow worms occur naturally in other dark, damp places in the Blue Mountains. The Glow Worm Tunnel is one of the easiest places for the visitors to see them and the only place they can be seen in the daytime. These little creatures are however very sensitive to habitat disturbance such as noise, lights, touching and smoke fumes. It is essential to wear good walking shoes and take a torch for the tunnel. The glow worm tunnel is accessible from Lithgow on the State Mine Forest Road. This is a badly potholed road through pine plantations and eucalypt forests and one must give way to logging trucks en-route. After rain it is wet and slushy and your car will be covered in mud and spray. The road into the tunnels from the Zig Zag station is 35 km and joins the road from Lithgow a few km before the Bungleboori junction about 15 km from the tar. The road traverses the Gardens of Stone Nat. Park and passes through a short tunnel before ending at a small carpark. From here a walking track leads a km down to the main Tunnel. There are non-flush toilets and a carpark. Take all rubbish with you.