Lithgow – Blue Mountains

Glow worm tunnel
After a chilly night in our cabin in Lithgow(glad we brought extra blankets!), we went to the Information Centre and enquired about the Glow Worm tunnels, Zig-Zag Railway and Jenolan caves. We got terrific directions and maps and went off to the Glow Worm tunnel first, taking our thermos and food with us since we knew we couldn’t get any food or drinks there. The main part of the road is an unmade section spanning 32km. It was wet with potholes (puddles) at first then became dryer but more challenging. We were glad to have our all-wheel drive Suby to do this trip! The first tunnel we came to is one you drive through; not the one with the glow worms and we were quite surprised how long, dark, curved and narrow it was.

Eventually we arrived at the parking area for the glow worm tunnel. Aah, a loo! How convenient. OK so it was called a Windy Loo and was just that – rather airy, made of metal with mesh at the lower parts of the walls. It had signs explaining it is a composting toilet so I guess that explains the design of the building. Next there was a walk to the glow worm tunnel; a sign described it as a 1 hour return walk for moderately fit people. It was a decent walk and very pretty too. Occasional little water spills over the rocks and a creek below babbling merrily along, eucalypts, pink heath, little wattles, and birds that were too quick to see but we could certainly hear them. There was a billabong below at one point where we could hear persistent male frogs calling for a mate. Despite the ideal bush surrounding, we couldn’t get carried away with it all and needed to watch where we were stepping or risk an injury. I was sure I would do something being so into looking at the surroundings, trying to pick the next photo aspect etc but it was Fin who slipped and hurt his ankle. He recovered fairly quickly but it reminded me to keep my eye on where I was putting my feet. There was a little suspension bridge to cross then a set of wooden steps up between rocks and finally we got to the tunnel.

A torch is totally necessary to see where you are stepping in there. It is very black as you get further in and the ground is uneven with puddles and even some left over rail from the rail track that must have been through there originally. Once far enough in you can turn off your torch then wait for your eyes to adjust and look up at the twinkling glow worms on the ceiling and walls. Some quite low to the ground. I attempted to photograph the little spiders/beetles that are the glow “worms” but they are tiny and it was hard to focus by the light of the torch. It was really amazing to see the little twinklers and wonder at how they all seem to glow in groups together, like frogs all call then stop at once. Must learn more about them. It was a very cold day and even colder in the tunnels so if you plan to do something like this especially in winter, remember to rug up! We did, but it was still freezing and our cuppa soup went down a treat when we got back to the car.
Link to information about the glow worm tunnel: http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/rail/upper/glow_worm.htm

Zig Zag Railway
Next we went on the Zig Zag Railway, hailed as being an engineering masterpiece designed to

travel the steep descent into the valley via old steam train on the original line constructed in 1869 We just got there in time for the last full trip which goes from Clarence station to Top Points station where the engine changes ends to take the train down to Bottom Points station where it filled up with water and changed ends again. It certainly was a different era to the hustle and bustle we are used to now. You would have had to be patient but I guess when you didn’t know any different, you would be. I said it was cold at the glow worm tunnel but by the time we got off the train it was freezing! Well, it was 6 degrees outside at about 4.45pm. Another cold night expected me thinks!

Break in Trip – Sad news from home
We will be going home on Monday till Wednesday due to a death in the family. ( It will give us time to sort out the mobile internet problem too. )

Rest In Peace Richard – your suffering is over.

Our deepest sympathy to Jen and Richard’s family.