National parks and karst conservation areas of the Greater Blue Mountains Area Blue Mountains • Gardens of Stone • Jenolan Caves • Kanangra-Boyd • Nattai • Thirlmere Lakes • Wollemi • Yengo |
Wollemi National Park is just 100 km north-west of Australia's largest city, Sydney and yet it contains the largest wilderness area in New South Wales. The park, which has a number of rugged and inaccessible areas, is the home of the Wollemi Pine, the dinosaur of the plant world which was discovered in 1994. Their location is, however, a well kept secret.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]Landscape
[edit]Flora and fauna
[edit]Climate
[edit]Visitor information
[edit]Get in
[edit]All roads are unpaved, but are gazetted formed roads. Check your rental agreement if you are renting a car.
There are historic ruins at Newnes Glen that are quite easy to get to.
The glow worm tunnel is a disused railway tunnel, so the walks to get there are reasonably flat and easily accessible from the car park.
Dunns Swamp has easy walks and plenty of opportunities for canoeing.
There are car and caravan camping sites at Newnes and Dunns Swamp.
Fees and permits
[edit]Unlike many other NSW National Parks, there's no fee to enter into this park.
Get around
[edit]There is little to no public transport to or within the activities in the park. Its car and walk, unless you are a particularly adventurous cyclist, in which case train and bicycle is a possibility.
See
[edit]- 1 Glow worm tunnel. A former train track, which is now used by the Glow Worms now. Bring a torch here, and please don't make much noise here.
- 2 Pagoda Lookout.
- 3 Newnes Industrial Ruins Walk. See some of the old ruins of Newnes, once the site of a thriving oil industry.
Do
[edit]- Pagoda Lookout walking track.
Experienced bushwalkers
[edit]Being a large wilderness area, there is ample to keep the adventurous occupied. Backpack camping is permitted throughout the park.
The Colo River can provide a variety of kayaking and canoeing challenges, depending on water levels.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]No restaurants, cafes or whatsoever. Bring your own food, but there are picnic areas.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]- 1 Wollemi Wilderness Cabins (Blue Mountains Cabins), 44 Bulgamatta Rd, Berambing, ☏ +61 409 393 425, [email protected]. Self-contained cottages that are fully equipped with kitchens, fireplaces and all the comforts. Very much for romantic stays. 1 hour from the outskirts of Sydney in the famous Blue Mountains near Bilpin. From $343.
- 2 Rylstone Caravan Park, 7 Carwell St, Rylstone, [email protected]. This site is recommended for campervans by Wollemi rangers. The caravan park is small, but will be adequate for everyone's needs. $27 for a Powered Site, $55 for Onsite caravan, per night.
- 3 Cudgegong Waters Park, 1858 Cudgegong Rd, Cudgegong, ☏ +61 2 6358 8462, [email protected]. Another site that Wollemi rangers recommended. Has a lot of facilities for families, including a spot for fishing. $80 and up for ensuite, $8 per Adult for camping.
Camping
[edit]- 4 Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground, Dunns Swamp rd, toll-free: 1300 072 757, [email protected]. This campsite is popular during School Holidays. However, if you can get a spot, it's a great starting point in the park to do kayaking or bushwalking along the Cudgegong river. $6 per adult, $3.50 per child (5-16 years old). This is per night. Pay in exact cash at campground.
- 5 Wheeny Creek campground, 1370 Comleroy Rd, Wheeny Creek (From Richmond follow Bells Line of Rd to Kurmond and turn off to the Comleroy Road.), toll-free: 1300 072 757. Small campground, a resting point as well as many things to do in and near the creek. Easy to get to by car; Roads unpaved but suitable for caravans and camping trailers. There are Flush toilets & wood BBQs. Bring your own drinking & cooking water and firewood. Free.
Backcountry
[edit]Stay safe
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