Newnes campground

Newnes campground now operates as a remote walk-in camp beside the Wolgan River in Wollemi National Park. The grassy flats and sandstone amphitheatre remain the attraction, but the collapsed Wolgan Road has transformed the trip: campers must carry everything roughly 10km from Glen Davis via Pipeline track.

Access has changed#

There is no vehicle access to the NPWS campground. Wolgan Road was the only driving route into the valley and NPWS says it has collapsed, with a landslip risk at Wolgan Gap. The current approach is a long walk from Glen Davis.

Use the official Newnes page and its visitor information for the live route. Older maps, campground directories and reviews may still describe driving to the river; that advice is obsolete for this campground.

Sites and booking#

NPWS lists tent and remote-backpack camping on unmarked, unpowered sites. The page does not publish a fixed total site count, but allows online bookings for up to 20 people or five sites. Larger groups need a separate enquiry.

The open grassy layout does not remove the need to book. Keep your camp compact, avoid blocking access across the flats and choose a durable surface rather than expanding into riverbank vegetation.

Because the same walking route serves the return, plan around the slower of the two travel days rather than the campground's former drive-in reputation. A comfortable pack for a roadside camp can become excessive over 10km. Split shared equipment deliberately and leave enough capacity for water, changing weather and the rubbish carried back out.

Water, toilets and pack weight#

Facilities are limited to non-flush toilets, wood barbecues and fire rings. There is no supplied water and no rubbish collection. Every litre of drinking and cooking water, all food and all waste must be carried on the approach.

NPWS says creek or river water must be boiled or treated, but a purification method is backup rather than permission to arrive without water. Bring your own firewood if fires are allowed; collecting timber in the park is not a dependable or responsible plan.

River setting and current alerts#

The campground sits on flat ground beneath tall eucalypts and sandstone cliffs beside the Wolgan River. Paddling in calm shallows and exploring nearby heritage are part of the appeal, but river levels and water quality can change after rain.

The cliffs can shade parts of the valley early and late in the day, so cool-season temperatures may feel lower than an exposed regional forecast suggests. Pack a warm layer and dry sleep system even after a mild walk in. In warmer months, an early start reduces heat load while carrying the full water supply.

As checked on 26 September 2026, the official page displays a fire-ban alert. Read Newnes local alerts, weather and route information immediately before committing to the walk.

What campers say#

Current public reports are sparse because access changed, so older experiences are useful only for the campground character—not directions.

• A traveller account published by Camps Australia Wide describes towering rock faces, kangaroos, broad grassy areas, toilets and numerous fire facilities.
• That stay predates the Wolgan Road collapse. Its vehicle-access details must not be used; the page has since added the current 10km walk-in warning.
• The open flats can feel spacious, but the surrounding cliffs reduce direct sun at parts of the day. NPWS's 2026 Newnes story also notes early shade and an active dawn chorus.

Remote-trip checklist#

Confirm the Pipeline track route, submit a trip plan, download offline mapping and carry a satellite communicator or PLB for a trip where phone service cannot be assumed. Pack water, food, weather protection and an emergency margin for the 20km return walk. Book before leaving; if the allocation is full, a CampWatch alert can watch for a cancellation, but it cannot replace route and fire-safety checks.