Trips / NSW
Lithgow and the Blue Mountains
Newnes Plateau (Gardens of Stone)
Sandy forest roads and rockier trails among the sandstone pagodas of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area north of Lithgow, including the drive to the Glow Worm Tunnel. The Wolgan Road down to Newnes has collapsed and the Newnes campground is walk-in only, so the valley itself is closed to vehicles for now.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- gravel
- sand
- rock
- mud
- steep
Permits No entry fee listed; NPWS allows 4WD touring on public roads and selected trails with a valid permit, so confirm with the NPWS Oberon office. Coorongooba campground is booked through NPWS.
Before you go Ring NPWS Oberon on 02 6336 6200 to confirm which trails are open before you go; the Forest Campground Precinct is closed for works.
What the trip asks of your 4WD
In the order a fitter would raise them, each with the reason. Up to three parts that fit for each, the first already chosen; swap any of them, or mark one you don't need.
Build it for your 4WD
Your rego or your model, and every part below is one that fits it. Until then you see the gear that fits any 4WD; the parts made for one vehicle wait for yours.
1 · Suspension & GVM
NPWS rates trails such as Ben Bullen as suitable for high-clearance, well-equipped 4WDs.
Build the suspension for your 4WDLift, load and the engineer's rules for your state, specced for the vehicle and what it carries.Build the suspension for your 4WD✓ In your 4WD's build · Change suspension- Pick your 4WD to see the rock sliders that fitEach one is made for one vehicle, so they show once we know yours.
2 · Rock sliders
Rock steps between the sandstone pagodas are hard on sills and underbody.
3 · Recovery
State Mine Gully Road becomes 4WD-only when wet, and sandy or muddy sections can bog a vehicle.
The trip asks for these; the rest of the rig is yours to choose. Build the whole rig for this trip.
