Plan Your Trip to the Capertee Valley
Discover one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes — a place of towering sandstone cliffs, rich wildlife, deep history, and the remarkable Glen Davis Shale Oil Works ruins. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for a weekend, this guide will help you plan your trip with confidence.
Welcome to the Capertee Valley
The Capertee Valley is the widest canyon in the world, a
place of dramatic escarpments, peaceful rural communities, and extraordinary
biodiversity. It’s also home to the historic Glen Davis Shale Oil Works,
where our guided ruins tours bring the valley’s industrial past to life.
This page provides everything you need to plan your visit — travel routes,
accommodation, things to do, safety tips, and suggested itineraries.
Getting Here
Driving Routes
·
From Sydney: approx. 3 hours via the
Great Western Highway
·
From Lithgow: 50 minutes
·
From Mudgee: 1 hour 15 minutes
·
From Bathurst: 1 hour 30 minutes
Road Conditions
·
Sealed road from Capertee to Glen Davis
·
Unsealed roads into Capertee National Park
(conditions vary)
·
Newnes Road is currently closed and
inaccessible
·
Drive carefully at dusk — wildlife is active
Fuel & Supplies
·
Fuel: Available at Capertee
·
Groceries: Limited supplies in Capertee BP service station; no
shops in Glen Davis
·
Mobile Coverage: Telstra strongest; Optus
patchy; Vodafone limited
Where to Stay
Capertee Village
·
Motels, cabins, and farm stays
·
Ideal for families and travellers wanting easy
access to fuel and food
Glen Davis
·
Limited accommodation
·
Camping available at Glen Davis Campground
·
Perfect for visitors joining the Glen Davis
Shale Works Ruins Tour
Nearby Towns
·
Lithgow, Wallerawang, Rylstone and Kandos
·
More accommodation options and services
Things to Do in the Valley
Glen Davis Shale Works Ruins Tour
Explore the remains of Australia’s wartime shale‑oil industry with a guided
tour through the ruins of the Glen Davis refinery. Checkout our tour options
— bookings essential.
Capertee Valley Lookout
One of NSW’s most breathtaking views. Ideal for sunrise, sunset, and
photography.
Birdwatching
The valley is internationally recognised as a birding hotspot — home to the Regent Honeyeater and more than 240 species.
Wollemi and Capertee National Parks
Bookable via NPWS. Offers walking tracks, wildlife viewing, and remote camping.
From the Paddock Cafe
Closed till 6/8/26. A local favourite — showcasing fresh valley produce, rural hospitality, and authentic country flavours. Perfect for visitors wanting a relaxed, food‑focused experience that pairs beautifully with a morning or afternoon exploring Glen Davis.
Plan Your Visit — Suggested Itineraries. Please check times as Days and hours vary.
Half‑Day Trip
·
Capertee Valley Lookout
·
Glen Davis Shale Works Ruins Tour
·
Scenic drive through the valley
Full Day
·
Lookout
·
Glen Davis Ruins Tour
·
From the Paddock Cafe experience
·
Picnic or photography session under the cliffs
Long Weekend Escape
·
Stay in Capertee or Glen Davis
·
Sunrise at the lookout
·
Ruins Tour
·
From the Paddock Café
·
Ganguddy Reserve walk or canoeing
·
Sunday Lunch in Rylstone or Capertee Royal Hotel
·
Kandos Museum (History of the cement that built
Sydney Harbour Bridge).
·
Birdwatching or photography morning
·
Sunset at the Glen Davis
·
National Park walking tracks
Photographer’s Itinerary
·
Sunrise at the lookout
·
Ruins Tour
·
Afternoon cliffs photography
·
Ganguddy Reserve Photography.
·
Sunset at Glen Davis
Interactive Map
Safety & Seasonal Advice
Summer
·
Hot conditions — carry plenty of water
·
Avoid walking in the middle of the day
Winter
·
Frosty mornings and cold nights
·
Bring warm layers
General Safety
·
Watch for wildlife and potholes on roads
·
Bring fuel, food, and water — Glen Davis has no
shops
·
Check NPWS alerts for road or track closures
Local Services
·
Emergency: 000
·
Capertee Fuel & General Supplies
·
NPWS Capertee National Park Information
·
Capertee & District Progress Association
·
Glen Davis Shale Works Ruins Tour Contact:
[email protected]
We Look Forward to Welcoming You
The Capertee Valley is a place of history, beauty, and community. Whether
you’re here for a day or a week, we hope your visit is memorable — and we look
forward to seeing you on the Glen Davis Shale Works Ruins Tour.