A Day out to Glen Davis

On all our travels to and from Turon Gates, we always passed the sign to Glen Davis at Capertee and always said "we should do that soon". Finally we did. We always knew how beautiful the Capertee Valley was by that wonderful view that can be seen on the Mudgee Road. Besides it's the second largest canyon in the world, the first being the Grand Canyon.

Glen Davis was a town built in 1932 for the oil shale industry, just like Newnes on the other side of the Wolgan Valley. Once the oil shale mine closed in 1952, basically so did the town. A lot of buildings still stand but not really historical. The main historical factor is of course the old mine but that is closed up and only available to look at at certain times. I found out later that tours run Saturday afternoons at a cost. We wondered if the ruins were fenced due to them now being unsafe or was it a way to make money - who knows.

The only movement in town was at the free campsite almost in the middle. It offered showers & toilets (give me my camp potty and camp shower any day). The occupants were mainly caravans and their grey nomads with their little dogs!!!!

Unfortunately I did not get a good feel for Glen Davis. Don't know why.

Upon leaving town there was a turn-off on your right to Wollemi National Park. The black dragon instantly needed to turn and check it out. It was a good road, except for the pot holes, but even a sedan would have had no trouble. Surprisingly this was a great way to see the ruins (on the other side of the fence of course) and lead to an open campground. This would have been our choice to stay at instead of the middle of town. We took a walk on top of a hill to check it out and to our surprise got a view of the ruins again from above. This at least made our trip to Glen Davis worth it.

Glen Davis Oil Shale Ruins

I am glad that we have now visited Glen Davis and can mark it off the list. It was a wonderful day out with the family, the valley just lovely and a drive that continued on to Dunns Swamp for lunch. I choose a day like this any day, no matter where the road takes us or the feeling I get, good or bad.

Until again...