Glen Davis - Capertree Valley
Glen Davis
Glen Davis is not a well known town in regional New South Wales. It is located in the Capertee Valley and is about a three and half hour drive from Sydney.
In its former life Glen Davis was home to a workforce of two and a half thousand men working in the shale oil industry.
The industry was established in the late 1930s to reduce Australia’s dependence on overseas oil as a world war loomed.
The shale oil plant at Glen Davis was never profitable and these activities ceased in the 1950s.
The town’s name originates from industrialist George Davis, who was a driving force in setting up shale oil operations at Glen Davis.
The word ‘glen’ is a Scottish word for valley and has been applied in a number of countries to name places. It is also used in naming a nearby town, Glen Alice.
Remnants of the shale oil works still remain in Glen Davis and can be seen from a lookout at their rear of the site. Take a left onto Goora St, just before the town and follow the road eastwards.
The Glen Davis lookout is located at the back of the decaying shale oil buildings and plant.
The easy walk up to the lookout provides a great view of not only the plant but the valley and surrounding sandstone cliffs and hills.
A few small ruined brick buildings also exist at the lookout itself along with some discarded industrial items.
As you drive around the small town of Glen Davis you may notice an Ampol logo from the 1950s, a red winged horse.
It is painted on a white wall and is in surprisingly good condition. In front of it is an abandoned petrol bowser.
If you brought your lunch and you need to as there are no shops, enjoy it on the shaded seats in front of the community centre.
This quaint and forgotten town has grand surrounds and is well worth a visit. It is also a reminder of a chapter in Australia’s history.
shale oil plant ruins
discarded heavy duty cabling - not your usual tourist attraction!
Capertee River
striking sandstone surrounds Glen Davis
Go the flying red horse
Capertee Valley wonder
Pantoney’s Crown can be seen from Glen Davis Rd as you head toward Glen Davis - well worth a stop to appreciate its majesty