Newnes Private Campground - NSW

This is a private campground run by the owner/operator of the historic Newnes Hotel.

The camping area is a large, grassed flat on the western bank of the Wolgan River, suitable for tents, campervans, camper trailers, caravans and motor homes. There are also cabins available for weekend hire. Bookings during peak periods are advised, but otherwise are not required. Payment can be made at the old hotel.

There are fire places and fire wood is sold at the Hotel Kiosk. The campsites are not powered. No generators please. Camping guests have shower and toilet block and are welcome to use the covered barbecue and Pizza oven area. The Pizza oven needs to be booked in advance and charges apply. It takes 4 hours and 2 wheelbarrows of wood to heat it up.

Spring water is available if required and firewood is sold by the wheel barrow load. BYO everything else as the nearest shops are at Lithgow, about 47km.

Other facilities include flushing toilets, showers (fee), use of the hotel phone (urgent calls only, please, it is not a chat facility) and a wash-up trough. Pets are allowed.

Newnes was a successful but short-lived shale mining town in the early 20th century, producing various petroleum based products from 1907 to 1912. There is a fascinating self-guided walk through the nearby industrial ruins, with a brochure available from the old hotel (now a kiosk/museum). An excellent potted history can be found at www.aussietowns.com.au/town/newnes-nsw.

There is a great walk from the historic industrial area along the old railway line to the glow worm tunnel, about 8km each way.