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Newnes State Forest

The Newnes Plateau above Lithgow is the best-known trail-riding country near Sydney: a web of sandy forest roads through pine and native forest.

  • Distancehundreds of km of forest roads
  • Timehalf day to multi-day
  • VehicleRegistered trail and adventure bikes
  • Nearest townLithgow
Check before you goForest roads close for harvesting, fire danger and storm damage: Forestry Corporation NSW - visiting State forests · Forest closures.
Know the rulesYou need a registered bike and a rider licence to ride in any NSW State forest. Stay on formed roads and trails - riding off-trail, making new tracks or riding unregistered bikes is illegal and police and Forestry Corporation patrol the plateau. Much of the land to the west is now Gardens of Stone conservation area, where vehicles must stay on signposted public roads.

About this ride

Newnes State Forest covers the plateau north of Lithgow and Clarence. Glow Worm Tunnel Road and Old Bells Line of Road are the main spines, with fire trails running off them to pagoda lookouts and bush camps.

State forests are working forests and public roads. The same road rules apply here as on the highway.

Surface: Sandy forest roads and fire trails, some rocky and rutted. Vehicle: Registered trail and adventure bikes; licensed riders.

Route map

Main access100 mNRoute: OpenStreetMap contributors · Blue Mountains Guide
Start: -33.42217, 150.20245

Mapped length 26.8 km. Route line from OpenStreetMap; distance and grade in the summary are the official NPWS figures where available.

Take this map offline

Phone reception drops out across most of the Mountains. Save the route before you leave town.

GPX file KML (Google Earth)
GPX opens in Gaia GPS, AllTrails, Organic Maps, Garmin and most navigation apps and shows your live position on the route with no signal. How to use offline maps.

How to get there

From Lithgow, take State Mine Gully Road up onto the plateau. From the Bells Line of Road, turn at Clarence onto Old Bells Line of Road near the Zig Zag Railway.

Parking: Trailer parking at the Clarence end of Old Bells Line of Road and at clearings along Glow Worm Tunnel Road.

Directions to the start (Google Maps)Apple Maps

Good to know

  • Sand gets deep in summer; clay sections are slick after rain.
  • Expect 4WDs, log trucks and walkers on any road.
  • Carry a paper map or offline GPX - reception is patchy.

Common questions

How long is Newnes State Forest?

Newnes State Forest is hundreds of km of forest roads and takes about half day to multi-day.

Where does Newnes State Forest start?

From Lithgow, take State Mine Gully Road up onto the plateau. From the Bells Line of Road, turn at Clarence onto Old Bells Line of Road near the Zig Zag Railway. GPS: -33.42217, 150.20245.

Where do I park for Newnes State Forest?

Trailer parking at the Clarence end of Old Bells Line of Road and at clearings along Glow Worm Tunnel Road.

Do I need a 4WD for Newnes State Forest?

Registered trail and adventure bikes; licensed riders. Sandy forest roads and fire trails, some rocky and rutted.

Is there phone reception at Newnes State Forest?

Do not rely on it. Download the GPX file or save this page offline before you leave Lithgow.

Sources: Forestry Corporation NSW - visiting State forests; Forest closures; OpenStreetMap contributors (route line). Last checked Friday 13 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.