Lithgow / ZigZag

[Rayngie]

I was reading through the post about a trip up there a week or so ago, can someone let me know what roads, turnoffs etc to get to these tracks?, wanting to head up for a look woith a couple of mates and don't know where to head.

Cheers,

[Scouse]

Most of the tracks don't have names. Either that or I don't know them (which is more likely;) ) .

If coming from Sydney, head towards Clarence on Bells Line of Road. At the railway station (Zig Zag railway carpark), head to the right & into the Newnes SF. Follow this for a couple of km, past a quarry on your right & the rutted track we did last weekend runs parallel(ish) on the left to the main road about 500m past the quarry.

Back on the main road, you come to a T intersection. This is the road that takes you to Bungleboori picnic area. Turn right in a km or so, you'll see powerlines just off to your left. Get onto this track & follow it west. This is pretty tricky & slippery in places.

There are plenty of side tracks to explore. Most loop around & come back onto the main track but others head out to lookouts.

Let us know when you're heading out that way. I wouldn't mind another day out there:) .

**Checking Whereis.com.au, the road from the railway station is Old Bells Line of Road & the T intersection is Gully Rd to the left & Old Bells Line of Road continues to the right.

[96Fender]

Hope that these track notes can help

Black fellow hand trail

Along the Newnes Rd turned left or right, (depending on which direction you have come) (east) along the Black Fellows Hand trail (well marked and dirt).
Approx 1km into the trail there is an open area/camp ground on the right where a walking trail climbs up to the aboriginal paintings under a large sandstone overhang. Continuing along Black Fellows Hand trail it winds up through a small gorge and begins to climb the mountain range. Some parts were rough and washed out on the steeper climbs; however with care you could still get a ‘soft roader’ through quite comfortably. Once up on top of the range the trail is easy.

There is a turn north into a challenging 4WD track approx another 3 km along the trail. This track isn’t marked but is well used. It is a ‘short cut’ through to Sunnyside Rd, however it is not for the faint hearted; the decent into the magnificent gorge is a long and treacherous requiring low range, an experienced spotter to help pick the route, and a lot of patience as the track is badly washed and dug out from tyre spin.
Down in the gorge there are 2 creek crossings both requiring good clearance. We managed to squeeze a standard 100 series l’cruiser through with a lot of work. If negotiating the track in reverse the climb out would prove to be far more difficult possibly requiring winching.

The track is managed by the Lithgow 4WD club and the access gates maybe locked, so contact them to check the current conditions and access.

Once through the gorge the track climbs out up the 'Spanish Steps' (a large sandstone formation with step like drops of approx 500mm or more) and continues up a loose and rocky track, again all of this has to be negotiated in low range. Once out of the immediate gorge area the track becomes flatter and much easier to traverse it eventually joins Sunnyside Rd at a T bar; left will take you to a spectacular lookout and right back to Black Fellows Hand trail approx 6.5km, a relatively easy run.
Back on the Black Fellows Hand trail the run through to Bungleboori campground is again comparatively easy with only a few deep pot holes to negotiate. This campground was very busy and a popular haunt for motor cross enthusiasts who use the many trails through the pine plantations. At the junction turn left and head north up to the Glow Worm Tunnel, approx 18 km, with the last half of the track following the old railway line. This was also quite impressive with a tunnel to pass through, again beware of blind corners as this is a narrow road with plenty of traffic, there is limited parking at the end of the track. The walk down to the Glow Worn Tunnel also follows the old railway line.


Alternate track

Coming from Katoomba, turn right at Mt Victoria (at the pub) and hell towards Bell. Turn left onto Bells Line of Road until you come to Clarence where the Ziz Zag railway is. Do the railway trip if you have kids or the time. Turn up the dirt road at the east end of the carpark and follow into Newnes State Forest for about 20kms (along the way you will come to an intersection with Glow Worm Tunnel Road - turn right) until you come to Bungleboori campsite at a T intersection. (pit toilet and picnic tables)

Anyway, turn left at the intersection (this is Blackfellows Hand Road) and you have two choices. Firstly turn left down a side road after about 75m and follow for about 3km to the Lost City (good 4wd track [NB end is a "bit" tricky] and absolutely fascinating rock formations). However, Lost City doesn't seem to be marked on Wollemi Tourist map or CMA (part of the mystery). Anyway, back on BHF road, continue west on dirt road (on a few tricky steep bits near the end) for about 13kms (road new well signposted but go past substation and don't turn left to Kangaroo Point) until you reach the road to Newnes. Turn right on tar, go down Wolgan gap and head through VERY pretty valleys to Newnes. [This trip could be done in reverse.
At Bungleboori intersection, one can continue ahead to glow worm tunnel (and easy approach by foot).] Would strongly recommend you collect firewood BEFORE you get to Newnes, particularly if you are staying on the grassy campsite, and take water. There is a shop at Newnes on the weekend (but don't know if it opens all winter).

cheers

[Scouse]

The last stepped section into Lost City is now closed off. There's a similar area some call "Not so Lost City" a few hundred metres or so west of the original Lost City that's still accessible & the track is easier.

[Rayngie]

Hell....that's a lot of info, thanks guys...:eek:

A guy I know in mountain biking put's his trips / rides up on the net with Google earth images, then plots his trip onto it so you can just print it out, how good would that be?

Not sure when we are heading up as WOMC needs the VC sorted, and I need to dig my set of BFG muddies out from under my mates kitchen floor, but I'll let you know,

:):):)

[Ace]

When are you heading up their Rayngie? Matt

[tony]

Hi Guys

let us know when your heading out as I might give the new rangie a trial (blue slip on Monday) all being well


Tony

[Rayngie]

O.k then, will sort out when and let you know, bit of work on WOMC to do, but should be mid next month, hope you don't mind a couple of Nissan's comming....

[Ace]

O.k then, will sort out when and let you know, bit of work on WOMC to do, but should be mid next month, hope you don't mind a couple of Nissan's comming....

No worries, with a little bit of notice i should be able to make it unless there is something else booked in that day. Matt

[Scouse]

hope you don't mind a couple of Nissan's comming....Not at all.

It's about time we got some recovery practice in:p .

(I'm out for the 16th & 23rd though)

[Ace]

Not at all.

It's about time we got some recovery practice in:p .

(I'm out for the 16th & 23rd though)


Is the 15th good for everyone? I was trying to arrange a Lake Lyall weekend with Henry and the club but he hasnt gotten back to me, if that ends up going ahead we can do the trip around lake lyall on the sunday and the zig zag trip on the saturday. Matt