My 2025 Walk Through the Glow Worm Tunnel: An Honest Review

So, you’ve probably heard stories about this spot, you know, a spooky old train tunnel where the ceiling lights up with little blue stars. Well, I had to go and lay my own eyes on it, so I did the Glow Worm Tunnel walk just recently. Honestly, people talk it up a whole lot, and I wanted to see if it lived up to the reputation for 2025. This place is, as a matter of fact, tucked away in the massive Wollemi National Park. Actually getting there is part of the whole experience, you know. I mean, it’s not just a quick stop by the side of the road, and stuff. It’s a proper outing, a kind of full-day thing that, at the end of the day, leaves you with some pretty cool memories and mud on your shoes.

Getting There: The Drive to Wollemi National Park

Alright, so first things first, the drive in is something to talk about. From Lithgow, you basically head out on a road that, you know, starts off looking all normal and sealed. After a while, though, it sort of turns into a gravel track, and that’s where the fun really begins. I mean, my little car was handling it okay, but it was a bit of a bumpy ride, to be honest. You should probably expect a slow trip on this part of the road. It winds through some really nice bushland scenery, with these big, towering rock faces on one side and a drop on the other, you know. It’s pretty much single-lane in a lot of spots, so you kind of have to take it easy, just in case someone is coming the other way. We, like, only saw a couple of other cars on the whole way in, so it felt like we were going somewhere pretty remote.

Frankly, the last bit of the road is unsealed, and it gets a little bit more rugged, so you have to be ready for that. In my opinion, you don’t really need a big 4WD or anything, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be doing it in a sports car that sits low to the ground. There are, for instance, a few potholes and bumpy sections that you need to watch out for. Just take your time with it, and it’s all part of the adventure, right? Plus, the views along the way are actually really special, making the slightly shaky trip feel totally worth it. By the way, there is basically no phone reception out here, so make sure you have your maps downloaded before you leave. It is just a good thing to do. You don’t want to get lost out there, as a matter of fact.

The Hike Begins: What the Trail is Actually Like

So, once you get to the car park and get your gear on, the walk itself starts off really gently. It’s more or less a wide, flat path that used to be the old railway line, so it’s super easy to follow. You wander through this, you know, really peaceful forest with all these massive ferns and tall gum trees around you. Honestly, the air just feels different out there—a little cooler and cleaner, you know. You can hear birds chirping and stuff, and the whole atmosphere is just really calm. For a while, it’s just a really nice stroll, pretty much suitable for anyone, I reckon. We saw families with little kids ambling along without any problems at all.

After walking for a bit, the track gets just a little more interesting. You’ll see these old, mossy rock cuttings where they blasted through to make way for the train line a long, long time ago. It’s pretty cool to think about the history of the place, you know, how people built this thing by hand way out here. The path is still quite level, but the scenery kind of closes in around you in a nice way. In some respects, you can feel the temperature drop as you get closer to the main event. Basically, it’s a nice little buildup to the darkness you are about to walk into, and the anticipation sort of grows with every step you take.

Inside the Tunnel: Experiencing the Glow Worms

Okay, so stepping into the tunnel is a really odd feeling. One second you’re in the bright Aussie sunshine, and the next you are just in complete blackness. It’s actually very, very dark, and it takes your eyes a minute or two to get used to it. The air inside is, like, cold and damp, and you can hear water dripping somewhere off in the distance. At first, you really can’t see anything. We walked in a little way, turned off our torches, and just stood still for a moment. It’s so quiet in there, except for the little sounds of water. And then, well, you start to see them.

Slowly, like little stars popping out in the night sky, you start to spot these tiny blue-green lights on the ceiling and walls. It’s absolutely a bit magical, to be honest. There are just hundreds of them, sometimes thousands, making these little constellations all over the place. They are not, you know, super bright like a light bulb; they are a bit more delicate and faint, which kind of makes them even more special. You just find yourself staring up, completely forgetting where you are for a minute. The path through the 400-metre tunnel is a little uneven and can be wet, so a torch is a really good idea to see where you are putting your feet.

So, a big tip here: definitely turn your torch off to see the glow worms properly. And point it at the ground when you do have it on. Obviously, using a red light is even better, because it doesn’t upset the little critters as much. Oh, and you’ve got to be quiet, as loud noises can apparently make them turn their lights off.

Beyond the Tunnel: The Rest of the Loop Walk

Now, after you walk all the way through the tunnel, you pop out on the other side, and a lot of people just, you know, turn around and go back the way they came. But, if you’re up for a little bit more of a walk, you can actually do a full loop. In my opinion, this is definitely the best way to do it. The scenery on the other side is completely different, and frankly, it’s stunning. You find yourself in this incredible, deep gorge that’s filled with these huge, ancient-looking ferns and thick green moss everywhere. It feels, like, a bit prehistoric, almost.

The path here gets a little bit more like a proper bushwalk. It is, you know, a bit narrower and involves a few stairs and some scrambling over rocks. You follow this little creek along the bottom of the gorge, and there are a couple of small crossings to make. It is not incredibly difficult, but you probably need to be a bit more sure on your feet for this section of the trail. The sounds of the forest seem to be amplified down in the gully. As I was saying, it’s a totally different vibe from the open path on the other side. This part of the loop really makes you feel like you’ve had a proper adventure in the wild, not just a simple walk to see a tunnel. Anyway, the track eventually climbs back up out of the gully and links back up to the main path near the car park.

Practical Tips for Your 2025 Hike

So, if you’re planning to go, there are a few things you really should know to make your day better. First, footwear is a good thing to think about. I mean, you definitely want to wear some sturdy, closed-in shoes, like sneakers or hiking boots, especially if you decide to do the full loop track. The ground inside the tunnel is pretty much always wet and slippery, and the loop track is quite rocky. Honestly, you should just bring a torch. I know I keep mentioning it, but seriously, it’s pretty much a must-have. A head torch is even better so you can have your hands free, you know.

Packing some water and a few snacks is also a really smart move. As a matter of fact, there are no shops or cafes anywhere near the trail, so you have to bring everything you need with you for the day. And in that case, remember to take all your rubbish back out with you too. In terms of timing, the glow worms are there all year round, but you get to see them best when you just avoid the middle of the day, when big crowds of people tend to show up. Going a bit earlier or later typically gives you a more peaceful and, you know, personal experience inside the tunnel. Finally, the walk is generally pretty good for older kids, but the full loop might be a bit much for very little ones.

• The Drive: Be ready for, you know, unsealed and bumpy roads; a regular car is usually fine but just go slow.
• The Walk In: The path to the tunnel is more or less flat and easy, so it’s good for most fitness levels.
• In the Tunnel: It’s very dark and cool. So, you’ll need a torch, but turn it off to let your eyes adjust and see the glow worms. And try to be quiet, right.
• The Full Loop: It’s absolutely worth doing for the amazing scenery, but it’s a bit more challenging with some uneven ground and stairs.
• What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, a torch (head torch is a great idea), water, and some snacks are basically what you need.
• Be Respectful: Don’t touch the glow worms or the walls, and try not to shine bright lights directly at them for a long time.

Read our full review: [Glow Worm Tunnel Hike Full Review and Details]
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