A Family Friendly Bushwalk + After Dark Adventure On The Edge Of Morton National Park in Bundanoon
After being damaged by the 2019-2020 bushfires and then contending with floods and rain, more floods and rain, high winds and a pandemic, this popular local walk was finally re-opened in March 2023!
A huge thank you to the amazing work of National Parks & Wildlife Service in collaboration with Wingecarribee Shire Council and the awesome volunteers of the Glow Worm Glen Track Bushcare Group for getting this wonderful opportunity to experience nature available to all of us again.
So, what do you need to know about the Glow Worm Glen Track?
Family-friendly :: Yep, kids will be able to do the walk quite easily. Prams are a no go because of all the stairs. Remind your kids to keep the noise down when they’re on the viewing platforms as the glow worms will retreat with too much noise.
Easy to access :: Park at the top of William Street in Bundanoon and you’ll see the trailhead sign posted at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Dog-friendly :: No, it’s in Morton National Park so keep Fido at home.
Stairs :: Glow Worm Glen is in a valley so there are a lot of stairs on the way down and up [seeing you retrace your steps].
Length :: A round trip of about 2 kilometres.
Time :: It took us about 10 minutes to get down to the viewing platform, we stayed there for about 30 minutes then walked back up which took a tad longer (15-20 minutes) seeing it was all uphill.
Cost :: Free
When should you go?
It’s a fun adventure because you do it in the dark!
So take your torches or pop your head torches on.
It’s good to use the last of the sun’s rays to light the way to the viewing platform at the Glow Worm Glen.
Then sit quietly while the ambient light disappears.
You’re down in a valley so very sheltered.
Once it gets dark, you’ll see the glow worms in the crevices of the caves on either side of the viewing platform.
They do like the warmer months so December to February is prime viewing time, although we went on Easter Sunday and saw plenty.
Image thanks to National Parks & Wildlife Service
What will you experience?
It’s all downhill on the way there.
As you approach the final stairwell into the Glow Worm Glen, turn your torches off and definitely don’t ever point any torch or light from phones at the cave wall and into the crevices.
The glow worms will think it’s daytime and won’t light themselves up!
And if you’re going to take photos, please do not use a flash.
There’s a viewing platform at the base of the Glen – it can get really busy during weekends and public holidays, especially in the warmer months, so if you’re happy walking down once its dark and not at sunset, we suggest you do it then to miss the crowds….you’ll just pass them walking back up on your way down.
Or do it on the shoulder of peak season [December – February] or hit the track on a weeknight.
It’s also super super important to keep the noise down.
The glow worms don’t like noise and you won’t get the maximum benefit from being there.
If you have littler kids, try and explain to them that they need to keep it down. Easier said than done, we know but it will be worth it.
If you head down in the cooler months, it gets super cold after dark in the valley so rug up.
And there’s neighbours around at the top of the track so please be mindful of noise in the residential area and also make sure you don’t park over any driveways.
GOOD TO KNOW
A good spot to get up close and personal with the glow worms is actually at the top end of the stairwell leading down to the viewing platform.
The viewing platform can get really crowded but if you hover up the top of the stairs, you’ll be quite close to the rock wall and crevices and we found that quite a lot of the glow worms hung out up there.
Image thanks to the Bundanoon Community Association
WHAT’S NEARBY
It was straight to Bundy pub after our walk uphill and up the thousands of steps to get back up to street level – oookay, it wasn’t thousands of steps but it was quite the calf and glute burner, that’s for sure.
A bowl of pasta and a glass of chardonnay by the fire at the Bundanoon Hotel was warmly welcomed, put it that way!
Glinda the Glow Worm at the reopening ceremony of Glow Worm Glen
We love sharing our awesome outdoor adventures with The Fold readers and want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy when giving our walks and rides a crack for themselves. So, always check the weather forecast before you venture out. If you’re heading into a National Park, be sure to consult the National Parks website for up-to-date information about current alerts. Prepare yourself with the right equipment, clothing, safety items, with plenty to eat and drink if you’re going on longer hikes, and always let someone else know where you’re going and what time you are expected to be back. Have fun and stay safe!