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Category: Caves

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Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

We visited Helensburgh on a trip from The Hunter Valley to Jervis Bay, which made a fun, if a little out of the way stop. The main reason for going there was to see the Glow Worm Tunnel, an old railway tunnel, now disused but home to glow worms. In the past the tunnel was full of water, which added to rumours that it had a steam train in it. After draining, this was found to be untrue! You can however still see a good length of platform when entering the tunnel.

Access to the Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

For four weeks each year, the tunnels close, to allow the colony of glow worms time for breeding. During this time the gates are locked closed and there is a $1,000 fine. Note the locals love this tunnel, and want to keep it in good condition, so respect for when it is closed is important. You will need to see the website for closing dates.

Just outside the tunnel is a small car park, off the road, which leads to the entrance through a gateway. A sign at the gate reminds visitors of the fragile nature of the glow worms’ environment and asks that lights and noise be kept to a minimum. This is only opened for a short period of time during the day, as people were climbing the fence to enter.

The Tunnel and the Glow Worms

Overgrown with ferns the ground near the entrance to the old tunnel was very wet when we visited. If visiting after rain, the tunnel can become flooded so use caution when entering. Some old train tracks are visible and can be followed into the tunnel, but after 50m, they disappear. The floor of the tunnel is muddy, and footing can be slippery, so wear appropriate footwear. We took good hiking boots even though it was only a short walk, glad we did.

After walking in until the outside light disappeared and waiting patiently, the glow worms came out for an amazing display.

Another great glow worm tunnel exists at Newness in the Wollemi National Park.

  • The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
    The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
  • Tunnel Entrance
    Tunnel Entrance
  • Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
    Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
  • Looking Back Out of the Tunnel
    Looking Back Out of the Tunnel

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Abercrombie Caves and Bushrangers

Walkway inside Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves

Abercrombie Caves

Abercrombie Caves offer a great self guided as well as several accompanied tours of their caves. Use care when driving on the access road down to the caves, as it is windy and narrow, with many blind spots. Camping sites are available and a large car park next to the park’s office is for day visitors. Purchase your tickets ($20.00 per person in 2018) at the office.

Archway Cave

We chose to do the self guided tour of the Archway Cave, because it looked interesting and exploring was at our own pace. The attendant gives a comprehensive overview of the caves and the history, which helped in our understanding of the area.  You receive a pamphlet describing each area you pass through describing the history, geology and local wildlife. The walk is great, passing through attractive bush land and crossing a suspension bridge.

  • Limestone Cliff Abercrombie Caves
    Limestone Cliff
  • Pathway Down to Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Pathway Down to Archway Cave

Part of the attraction of the caves is the association with bush rangers and signs point out places connected to them. The”Ribbon Gang” of escaped convicts used the area as a hideout, keeping their horses in the nearby Stable Arch.

Inside the caves, you follow the tracks in any order, looking at the formations. There is another rope suspension bridge here, which you can cross and imagine yourself as Indiana Jones. This bridge crosses a small creek that flows through the cave.

  • Entrance to Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Entrance to Archway Cave
  • Stream inside Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Stream inside Archway Cave Abercrombie Caves
  • Walkway inside Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Walkway inside Archway Cave
  • Suspension Bridge inside Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Suspension Bridge inside Archway Cave
  • Suspension Bridge inside Cathedral Cave Abercrombie Caves
    Suspension Bridge inside Archway Cave

What Did We Think?

It is unfortunate that the guided tours run infrequently as they offer a more interesting experience, but the self guided tour is not bad. It is certainly better than some we have been on. If you have never been in a cave before, this is a great first experience.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park

Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park

Dunns Swamp

Dunns Swamp in the  Wollemi National Park is a beautiful lake rather than a swamp and is a great place to camp, bush walk or go swimming. Located only 30 minutes from Kandos, it is a great getaway for a day trip or overnight stay. Created by the Kandos Weir, the lake is full of bird life and surrounded by reeds and trees, making it a really beautiful place.

Campsites are available for overnight stays as well as plenty of day visitor parking. The camp site has covered eating areas and toilets available for use.

  • Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Dunns Swamp
  • Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Dunns Swamp
  • Walking Track Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Walking Track

Pagoda Lookout

As well as the lake, bush walking is available around the area. We chose to walk to the long cave, while looking at the Kandos Weir and pagoda lookout on the way. The turn off to pagoda lookout is about 1km from the camp ground. This short 150m Walk is marked for experienced bush walkers only, so be careful if you decide to do it. The difficulty is because of the steep rock faces, narrow paths and lack of barriers at the cliff faces. The view from the top is great and you are able to see some of the weathered rock formations that look like pagoda temples.

  • Pagoda Lookout Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Pagoda Lookout
  • View From Pagoda Lookout Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    View From Pagoda Lookout

Kandos Weir

The walk then continues along the Cudgegong River, which gives you some excellent views of the surrounding bush land. Several sections of steep stairways need to be negotiated, with two sections also having handrails and chains to assist going up and down. The Kandos Weir is a concrete dam wall and spillway. Unfortunately access onto the dam wall is prohibited, but you can walk to the base of the downstream face of the dam. From here it is possible to take some great pictures,

  • Kandos Weir Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Kandos Weir
  • Kandos Weir Spillway Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    The Spillway at Kandos Weir
  • Kandos Weir Down Stream Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Kandos Weir Down Stream

Long Cave

The long cave is only a few hundred metres from the weir, along a flat access road. The cave is really a rock overhang that has the base eroded by the river when it floods. So don’t expect to see a cave. It is still an interesting spot to investigate and take pictures.

  • Long Cave Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Long Cave Dunns Swamp
  • Long Cave Track Dunns Swamp Wollemi National Park
    Track to Long Cave

Dunns Swamp is a great place to visit either for a day trip or a camping expedition. There are other walks in the area besides those we did that would keep you entertained.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.