A chair on the Philosopher’s Walk looking through the Wolgan Valley. The chair was placed by Thomas Ebersoll in 2018. It, like Thomas, survived the fire, flood and landslips.
Story and photos by Tracie McMahon
The Wolgan Valley was labelled the “Forgotten Valley” by Greg Bearup in the Weekend Australian following the closure of Wolgan Gap Road. He posed the question “With the onset of more extreme weather, will some areas of the country simply become too expensive, or too dangerous, for human habitation?” Yet some people, like Thomas Ebersoll, owner of Newnes Hotel Holiday Cabins and Campground, remain resilient and ready to face this challenge.
Key Points:
Newnes is located in a fragile environment, prone to high rainfall and natural disasters.
Newnes Hotel Cabins and Campground have been constructed with an awareness of both the need to protect this fragile environment and the heightened risk of natural disaster.
Risk-conscious design and maintenance has enabled the business to continue to operate despite challenging circumstances.
Visiting the town of Newnes in the Wolgan Valley is like stepping into a time machine. You can see and touch the remnants of the world before petrol, when shale oil was king; poke your head amongst a tumble of bricks that cooked the coking coal; and marvel at the engineering that blasted through a hillside for an impossible descent into the valley by nineteenth century steam locomotives.
The remnants of the thousand-strong population and the economic folly of trying to extract natural resources from such a volatile landscape are everywhere, preserved by their remoteness. By the 1930s, the Shale Works was closed, with much of the infrastructure moved to Glen Davis or sold. All that remained was the hotel and a few homes: housing only four families by 1940.
The brickwork of coke ovens now provides a home for coral ferns, grasses and insects
But Newnes was not forgotten. The surrounding river flats became a holiday retreat for those wanting a ‘getaway’ and the hotel became a kiosk supplying campers with ice creams and cool drinks. Its wide verandahs were a welcome respite from summer heat and driving rain until the deluge of 1986, when the Wolgan River swallowed the hotel’s lilting back verandah in one gulp.
The Wolgan valley is no stranger to flood and, since the Hotel’s construction in 1906, the river has changed course, moving thirty metres closer to the building. In the 1986 downfall, it seemed nature had won its battle over the industrialists, reclaiming the last functioning remnant of the shale town.
But the friends of Newnes were not willing to let it go and in 1987, 186 volunteers cut the hotel into pieces and moved it by hand over three days to its present location. Bit by bit the hotel was pieced together, a crane lifted the roof into place and the roofing iron was nailed back on.
The Friends of Newnes celebrating the relocation of the Newnes Hotel (Courtesy Thomas Ebersoll – Allan Watson collection)
The building was now safe, but much of its contents had disappeared or were damaged in the flood, and the hotel continued its demise. Camping fees and a weekend kiosk could not fund the repairs necessary. In 1996, the owner placed a piece of cardboard on a star picket: “For Sale – Enquire within”.
Thomas Ebersoll joins the story
In the 1990s Thomas was a frequent visitor to Newnes, getting away from the busyness of city life, and noticed the sign. He says, “I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Everyone said I was crazy, but I could see the potential, and I wanted to do it.” He and his wife Helen purchased the property.
And so it began. Thomas in a caravan with a generator, a head full of ideas, and a passion to create a space where people could “sit, chill out and be quiet”. Over the next fifteen years, Thomas has restored the hotel, built four self-contained cabins, an amenities block and sympathetic infrastructure.
He and his wife Helen, and daughter Marianna, explored the area as they worked, researching, learning and sharing their hospitality and knowledge with visitors.
The property has approval for five more cabins and a second shower and toilet block, but Thomas feels that what he has is enough. He scoffs when I ask how he feels about the risks of owning and running the business. He says, “I don’t own anything. What a stupid concept. It was here before me and will be after. If the river claims this place, I have to accept it. I just care for it now.”
Thomas takes me on a tour of the infrastructure and the cabins, explaining how he cares for the property:
Building for resilience
Power is supplied by an array of solar panels which can be tilted to ensure sunlight is captured all year round. The panels supply more electricity than is needed with surplus power harvested by a battery. A back-up generator is in place if the batteries fall below 80% charge. Gas bottles are brought in as needed for gas hot water and cooking appliances.
At peak occupancy the Newnes Campground and Cabins can house 23 in the cabins and a village of hundreds on the campground. Prior to the road closures the campground regularly had 200 visitors on both Easter and October long weekends. Campers at the nearby National Parks and Wildlife Service Little Capertee Creek Campground also often used the amenities.
Thomas says this peak period is the only time when the back-up generator has had to be relied upon. Outside these peaks he usually has power to supply the business’ needs for six months.
Solar Panels and a working vegetable garden provide sustenance and power
A wood-fired barbecue and campfire area is set between the cabins. Below the amenities block Thomas has built a wood-fired pizza oven and camp kitchen. The pizza oven is a particular favourite with groups of campers. He just needs 24 hours’ notice to fire it up and ensure it’s ready to go.
Sewage from the cabins and toilet blocks is treated via a series of ‘Wisconsin Mounds: a system of interlinked septic tanks and underground tunnels and filters. Thomas says, “The whole system is just like a living creature with micro-organisms, sun and minerals working together to clean our human and water wastes.” Only eco-friendly chemicals are used, and some simple tips are provided in each cabin, like wiping greasy dishes with paper towel, to ensure the system remains healthy.
The effluent disposal system ensures that waste is treated effectively and does not damage the environment.
The Hotel grounds have a productive garden with vegetables, fruit and poultry. Visitors are welcome to share the produce on an ‘as needs and always leave some for the next person’ basis. Water for the gardens is harvested from the cabin roofs and drinking water is supplied by a spring behind the Hotel grounds. Water for firefighting is sourced from the river, with a firefighting pump permanently in place.
The question of firefighting resources leads me to ask about Thomas’ experience in the Black Summer fires. The Wolgan Valley was surrounded by the Gospers Mountain fire and Thomas remained on site with two NPWS firefighters who found themselves unable to leave the valley.
Thomas Ebersoll explains the features of the property which reduce the bushfire risk. (Click to play; 2min 37sec)
The cabins feature Thomas’ craftsmanship as well as his desire to minimise waste and honour the materials he is working with. Even the smallest off-cut can be used with the edges of cornices and architraves fashioned into handles or small pieces of art depicting the surrounding landscape.
Inside a cabin, Thomas Ebersoll pointing out use of ‘waste’ construction materials.
The future of Newnes Hotel
Prior to the landslip that closed the Wolgan Valley Road, Thomas was in the process of preparing the business for sale. He says at 68 he was finding the work of maintaining and operating the business was just getting too much. But now?
Thomas is not one for resting. He says, “Change is inevitable, you have to accept it. There might be another fire, another flood. With less people coming, I can manage. It will be five to ten years before there is any road.”
He says it has given him time to work on other ideas he has wanted to pursue. He points to three turn of the century train carriages which he has been restoring as a dedication to Allan Watson, who operated the Newnes Hotel weekend kiosk from the 1950s, after spending much of his childhood holidays at Newnes. Allan had started the project but was unable to complete it before his death in 2017. Thomas has completed it. The carriages are lined up next to the hotel, with a framed photo of Allan displayed in front.
He is also designing a nine-metre octagonal pergola for the space behind the hotel. He hopes to create a beautiful quiet space for small events, artists, and environmental enthusiasts to gather.
Thomas Ebersoll’s next vision for Newnes – still planning for the future.
For now, Thomas is happy to maintain the extensive grounds and welcome guests to the cabins and campground under escort arrangements. The valley is recovering, and many of its occupants including the flora and fauna, are returning. This moment in time is just one in the Newnes story and an unforgettable opportunity to witness firsthand nature and people adapting and recovering to a changing landscape.
Visitors should check the National Parks and Wildlife Services Alerts page to ensure any planned activities are permitted and can be conducted safely. The area is still prone to instability and road access via the Donkey Steps is under regular maintenance.
Further Reading
Bearup, G. (November 4-5, 2023) Forgotten Valley, The Weekend Australian, p. 19.
Take Action:
Consider whether your property is prepared for environmental risks, and how you can prepare at both the building and maintenance stage to minimise these risks.
Visit Newnes and experience what it is like to live ‘off-grid’.
To learn more about the history of Newnes or the Wolgan Valley visit the Lithgow Library and Learning Centre. The Local Studies collection is extensive and Library staff are happy to assist.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Our video on Falling In Love With Glossy Black Cockatoos is now up on our Planetary Health YouTube channel (sorry, it`s too big to share here but there`s a link in our profile).
Jayden Gunn finishes his presentation by saying:
"Care is like a snowball. The more people you tell the bigger the snowball gets, and the further it goes. And the more we know, the more we care. And the more we know, the more we`re able to help."
The video is of our fabulous Forum on Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo, and includes presentations by Jayden Gunn, BirdLife Australia, Amanda Foxon-Hill from Mid Lachlan Landcare, and STEM teacher Samantha Bowden from Glenbrook Public School. There`s a link with the video on how to register for the Community Tree Planting Day in Goologong on 5 July (and it`s also in our profile). Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCERdF21Ud0&t=13s
Today we`re enjoying eating ripe medlars! Medlars are attractive cold climate fruit trees that were popular in Medieval gardens. They`re one of the few fruits that can be harvested in late Autumn and eaten in early Winter when they`re fully ripe. This is a great time of year to plant them for a future harvest. Check out our short video on how to eat them! #coldclimategardens #ediblegardens #medlars #growyourown #planetaryhealth #bluemountains...
We`re thrilled to share that last night @BlueMountainsCityCouncil`s Planetary Health Centre won the Innovative Leadership Award (Population Under 150K) in the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. What a great end to World Environment Day! 🌏 This award celebrates how local government can lead transformative change for a more sustainable future. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard with us to make our vision a reality. You can read more about what we`re doing at our website (link in profile): http://www.bluemountainsplanetaryhealth.com.au/ @ph_alliance #planetaryhealth #worldenvironmentday #localgovernmentleadership #nswlocalgovernmentexcellenceawards...
Blocking out a couple of hours a week to step off the treadmill and give ourselves time to nurture our relationship with the earth and ourselves, is one way to keep our creative spirit and ‘lust for life’ alive. If you haven’t done so yet, one opportunity over the next week is to spend some ‘slow’ time in the 2024 Wynne Prize exhibition at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre before it closes on 15 June. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/the-2024-wynne-prize/ @bluemountainsculturalcentre @artgalleryofnsw #wynneprize #landscapes #bluemountains #katoomba #artexhibition #planetaryhealth...
Recognising how violence and war impact the health of the planet, the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has become a member of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. On Sunday 25th May, we attended a presentation by Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today at the Leura Uniting Church. In this powerful presentation Dr Suter questions why we learn about war rather than successful peace negotiations! View the video of his presentation below and read our full story in Katoomba Area Local News here: https://bit.ly/3Fl4WgQ (link in profile)
With an extra day up your sleeve this long weekend, it`s a great opportunity to give nature a hand to regenerate and provide more habitat for our fellow species! Join our fabulous all ages Planetary Health Bushcare Group from 1.30pm and then participate in the Forum on Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo at 4pm, followed by drinks and nibblies! You can also start the day with a fabulous Tai Chi session at 8am. Visit our Planetary Health Pluriversity website to book in and learn more (link in profile): https://bmpluriversity.org/program/
Or ring 0407 437 553 for more information. #planetaryhealth #bushcare #katoomba #bluemountains #glossyblackcockatoos #landcare #biodiversity #habitat #wearenature #togetherwecan...
In this inspiring interview with Medlow Bath resident Amanda Foxon-Hill she talks about her work with Mid Lachlan Landcare, why Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo is so important, and why she loves her work so much! Read the full story in Blackheath Area Local News here: https://blackheathnews.com/connecting-landscapes-for-glossy-black-cockatoos/
Book in for the Growing Connected Landscapes Forum at 4pm this Saturday 7 June here: https://events.humanitix.com/growing-connected-landscapes-for-the-glossy-black-cockatoo Register your interest for the Community Tree Planting Day in Goologong here: https://events.humanitix.com/glossy-black-cockatoo-community-tree-planting-5
In a world that increasingly feels out of balance, we’re thrilled to be offering Saturday morning Tai Chi and Qigong at 8am this Saturday 7 June (and the first Saturday of every month on our Skill Share Saturdays). Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art and moving meditation for body, mind and spirit. It is ideal for learning to keep calm amidst chaos but also has health benefits to increase longevity. Harvard Medical School has reported that this gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life. It`s particularly popular in Hong Kong, where residents have one of the highest life expectancies in the world! T`ai-Chi has also been found to improve brain function (like memory and mental flexibility) faster than other exercise and, in a recent study, comparing T`aiChi to brisk walking, the martial art was found to be significantly better at reducing blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease, like blood sugar levels and cholesterol. If you’d like to try it out, you can reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3FxWPgR
Learn how to Grow Connected Landscapes for the magnificent Glossy Black Cockatoo at 4pm on Saturday 7th June. In our first Planetary Health Forum we’ll be hearing from Amanda Foxon-Hill from Mid Lachlan Landcare, Jayden Gunn from Birdlife Australia and Samantha (Pongi) Bowden from Glenbrook Public School, to learn more about the Glossy and how we can all help improve its habit from the Lower Mountains to Central NSW. We’re also launching a Community Tree Planting Day on 5 July in Goologong (near Cowra) to which we’re hoping we’ll get a large group of volunteers to help make a difference for this beautiful bird (and lots of other species as well!)
Habitat connectivity is essential if species are to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by our changing climate.
Join us as we imagine life as a Glossy Black Cockatoo. We`ll make our way through the temperate eucalypt forests of Dharug & Gundungurra land here in the Blue Mountains before leaving the Great Dividing Range for the Wheat & Sheep belt of the Central Tablelands. Our journey ends on Wiradjuri Land, North West of Cowra in the dry scleropyhyll forests of the Conimbla & Nangar National Parks, the start of the Western Woodland Way
Jayden Gunn is an adept wildlife photographer, ecologist, and environmental educator, with a deep passion for Australian birdlife. Through his lens, he captures Australia`s unique wildlife, using digital storytelling to connect people with nature in meaningful ways.
Links in profile to book in.
Book for the Forum here: https://bit.ly/43FzamP
Register your interest for the Community Tree Planting Day here: https://bit.ly/3HwYHa5
Watch an interview with Amanda here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77y2jrCzINo&t=52s
Read more about Glenbrook Public Schools work for the Glossy Black here: https://lowermtnslocalnews.com/glossy-black-cockatoos/
Our newsletter is now out! View our video of Dr Keith Suter on "Making Peace in the World Today” and read about Growing Connected Landscapes for the Glossy Black Cockatoo and the 2024 Wynne Prize exhibition at the Cultural Centre. You can also book in for our Mushroom Cultivation and Tai Chi workshops, and our Planetary Health Bushcare on Skill Share Saturday, 7 June. And PS. We’re a finalist in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. Read the newsletter here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4dEFL5u
Yesterday a delegation from the University of Sydney and the Razak School of Government in Malaysia visited the Planetary Health Centre to exchange experiences on the challenges all our local governments are facing, including adapting to climate change, managing ageing populations, and finding economic opportunities for small councils to support their community`s needs. @rsog_insta #localgovernment #planetaryhealth #disasterriskreduction #systemicchange #councils #malaysia #exchange...
As part of an international project to advance science communication for Planetary Health (SciCoPH), Indonesian science journalists, science communication experts and bioscientists visited the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre to learn more about what we`re doing last month. Read our story in Katoomba Area Local News here: https://bit.ly/43MFUjM (link in profile)
Tracie lives, writes and walks on the unceded lands of the Dharug, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri people. Born in Lithgow, she and her family have spent most of their lives living and working with the people and places of the Lithgow area. Her passions are nature and community, which she pursues through story, art, and volunteering in Lithgow and the Blue Mountains.
