Wolgan Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolgan Valley |
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| Area | 36.0 square miles (93 km2) |
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| Location | Australia, New South Wales, Lithgow |
The Wolgan Valley is a beautiful, small valley located in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of Lithgow and 150 kilometers (93 miles) north-west of Sydney. The valley follows the Wolgan River and is known for its amazing natural beauty.
You can reach the Wolgan Valley by driving along the Wolgan Valley Discovery Trail. This road leads to the historic village of Newnes, which has many old industrial buildings.
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What is the Wolgan Valley like?
The Wolgan Valley is formed by the Wolgan River in a very rugged, mountainous area west of Sydney. The river flows generally east until it meets the Capertee River. After that, it becomes the Colo River.
Part of a Huge Wilderness Area
The Colo River then continues east through the Wollemi Wilderness. This wilderness area is enormous, covering about 361,000 hectares (892,000 acres). It's the largest wilderness area in New South Wales and also the biggest in eastern Australia.
The Wolgan Valley itself includes parts of several important natural areas. These are the Wollemi National Park, Gardens of Stone National Park, and the UNESCO-listed Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This means the valley is recognized globally for its special natural value.
Who lived in Wolgan Valley?
Aboriginal Australians lived in the Wolgan Valley for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. They have a deep connection to this land. The first European settlers came around 1823. Brothers William and James Walker used the valley as a small farm area for their larger property nearby.
Newnes and Its Industrial Past
The valley is also famous for its history with the Commonwealth Oil Corporation. This company had shale oil mining operations in Newnes. They used a special railway to transport the oil.
The Historic Railway Tunnel
The railway tunnel in the valley was part of a 50-kilometer (31-mile) long track. This track connected Newnes to the main western railway line. Heavy Shay-type locomotives were used to pull the oil products up very steep hills, some as steep as 1 in 25.
What does "Wolgan" mean?
The name "Wolgan Valley" comes from an Aboriginal language word, "wolga." This word refers to a climbing plant called Clematis aristata. This plant grows in coastal areas of south-eastern Australia.
Important Aboriginal Sites
The Wolgan Valley holds several very important Aboriginal sacred sites. These places are special and sacred to Aboriginal people.
One important site is Maiyingu Marragu, also known as Blackfellows Hands. Here, you can see hand stencils left by Aboriginal people on the cave walls. There are also several Aboriginal burial sites in the valley.
Exploring Wolgan Valley
The Wolgan Valley is a great place for outdoor adventures. There are many bushwalking trails to explore.
Popular Walking Trails
- The Pipeline Track: This trail goes from Newnes all the way to Glen Davis.
- The Wolgan Valley Heritage Trail: This trail lets you discover more about the valley's history.
- The Glowworm Tunnel Track: This path leads to the famous Glowworm Tunnel, where you can see thousands of tiny glowworms.
Camping and Other Activities
There are also camping grounds in the valley where visitors can stay. The valley has many narrow, deep slot canyons, which are popular for exploring. It's also a favorite spot for rock climbing.
Modern Tourism
In 2009, a luxury resort called the Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa opened. This resort was built by the Emirates Group's Hotels and Resorts. They chose the Wolgan Valley after looking at many other places in Australia.
