Wolgan Valley

Wolgan Valley is located adjacent to parts of Wollemi National Park and Gardens of Stone National Park, West of Sydney Australia. The valley has been inhabited by indigenous Australians for thousands of years, but the First European settlement occurred around 1823, when James Walker used the valley as an outstation from his Wallerawang settlement.

It is best known for its historic railway tunnel and Commonwealth Oil Corporation oil shale mining operations at Newnes.

The name of the Wolgan Valley is derived from "wolga", a local Australian Aboriginal language name for the climbing plant, "Clematis aristata", found in coastal regions of the South-East states of Australia.

Within the Wolgan Valley there are several significant aboriginal sites. These include "Blackfellows Hand" which is a collection of aboriginal hand paintings located near Wolgan Gap, and several aboriginal burial sites.

The bush walking trails in the area include the Pipeline track and the Wolgan Valley Heritage Trail (See Links below). There is also a camping ground open to the public, although it tends to become overcrowded on long weekends. The valley also contains numerous slot canyons and offers several superb rockclimbing areas (along with an incredible amount of unclimbed rock).

ee also

* Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel
* Wollemi National Park
* List of Australian heritage railways

References

* Allan Watson's Newnes Services [http://www.users.tpg.com.au/newnes/ Newnes Information]

External links

* [http://www.users.tpg.com.au/newnes/ Newnes Services]
* [http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=52 Wolgan Valley Heritage Trail]
* [http://www.sydneyrockies.org.au/climbing/guidebooks/guidebooks.html Wolgan Valley Rockclimbing Guide]