Lithgow

With an industrial heart and a wild, natural soul, Lithgow is a beautiful city tucked away in a gorgeous valley west of the Blue Mountains. The Stone Garden Pagodas, the enormous Caperty Valley, the breathtaking Wolgan Valley, the world-famous Jenolan Caves, and the hidden gems of Wollemi National Park are all accessible from this stunningly beautiful wilderness area.

History in Motion

Lithgow has significantly impacted Australia’s history. Located at the heart of the coal and steel industries, one can look into its history at the State Mining Heritage Park and the picturesque ruins of Blast Furnace Park. On the outskirts of Portland, a former cement factory has been transformed into The Foundations, an art centre whose silos are decorated with portraits of local workers painted by renowned muralist Guido Van Helden.

Lithgow Small Arms plant is located on a well-known regional factory site that produced rifles used by Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War and the First World War. Housed in a historic estate, the Eskbank House Museum also houses a significant collection of Lithgow artefacts, including a blacksmith’s and a carriage house.

Directions and accommodations

The Great Western Highway takes 2.5 hours to get from Sydney to Lithgow. It is also the last station on the Blue Mountains Railway, which connects Central Station to Bathurst by a rural train. The train ride takes around three hours and is often included in some Blue Mountains tours from Sydney, offering a scenic and relaxed journey into the region.

The Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley and Bubbletent Australia provide luxurious accommodations outside Lithgow. In addition, charming historic lodgings at Linden Tree Manor, located in the ancient brewery and close to medieval Hartley, and at Eagle View Escape, which offers stunning views of Lake Lyell.

Indulge in field-to-fork foraging

Herbs, flowers, and vegetables decorate the landscape, making it a thriving area for the Lithuanian region. You would be surprised if you were unaware of this. But together with the forester Diego Bonetti, you will learn to appreciate wild food. It’s that time of year again, so join the environmental educator on his quest for delicious pine mushrooms. His masterclasses are not only informative but also a lot of fun. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to taste the freshly picked products.

Quench your thirst

Exploring the New South Wales countryside is a thirsty job. Head to Craft Works Craft Distillery for a drink of Craig ‘Craft’ Phil’s luscious Capertee craft gin and whisky, or take a bottle back to your accommodation for a sunset drink. The batches are small, but the flavours are robust. The cellar door is the perfect place to learn how high-quality Australian spirits are made.

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Unleash your animal instincts

The Lithgow countryside is home to abundant Australian wildlife, including platypuses, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, bush lizards, and more. Staying at Turon Gates Mountain Retreat, surrounded by 2,400 hectares of untamed wilderness and providing the ideal setting for cottages, log cabins, and glamping tents, will allow you to see the local animals and more. Binoculars are given to each visitor.

Meet a craftsman

The village of Hartley, which dates back to around 1830, is a beautifully preserved piece of the past that combines something very modern with the metal works of blacksmith and artisan Ron Fitzpatrick. You can witness Fitzpatrick at work in the forge and enjoy his art, which includes glass sculptures, garden decorations, and jewellery, at the Talisman Gallery on Main Street.

A walk in this direction

The Greater Blue Mountains are a million hectares of wilderness, sheer cliffs, deep canyons, and bird-infested wetlands. On a walk with Wolgan Valley Eco Tours, you’ll see more wildlife species than you can count. Glow worms hide in the tunnels, surrounded by ferns, as if they came from a fairy tale. Talented guides will tell you that this part of the state is home to the Wollemi Pine, an endangered species dating back to the Jurassic period that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994.

Gaining altitude

Australia’s Grand Canyon, the Capertree Valley, is more expansive (but not as deep) than its American counterpart. That is unless you have an aerial perspective. Hop in a Capertee Valley helicopter and fly over the gorges and ridges for 15 minutes or an hour. Travellers with eagle eyesight may even spot hiking trails to explore further once they’re back on land.

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Soak away your worries

A traditional onsen may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of New South Wales, but once you visit the Japanese Bath, you won’t be able to imagine Lithgow without it. Unwind in the warm, mineral-rich thermal waters against undulating Lake Lyell and zen-like Japanese gardens. If you come here feeling lost, you’ll leave feeling great.

Admire art on a large scale

Creativity can flourish in the most unexpected places, and Portland’s former cement factory is home to this small town’s big attraction. Welcome to The Foundations, a location with an industrial background transformed by the impressive paintings and large-scale works by artist Guido van Helten. His silo-like structures are genuinely unique. Attend festivals, pop-up galleries, and monthly markets here.

Gastronomic delights

Lithgow has many delicious restaurants serving fresh local produce. For distinctive and delectable farm goods, visit the Jannei Artisan Cheese Factory; for single-malt whiskey, visit the Craft Works Distillery on the Capertie Valley border.

Prepare for cheesy moments

Let’s say you like your cheese with a touch of earth. In this case, the award-winning Jannei Goat Dairy produces artisanal natural yogurts, fresh cottage cheese, ricotta, goat’s cheese, miette, and many other delicious semi-hard cheeses. Visit the dairy for a complimentary tasting and meet the long-haired “ladies” (i.e., “goats”) who will help you discover the delicious “science” behind the cheese.

Festival centre

Lithgow also has a popular tourist events calendar. May is blast furnace time in Lithgow, when Ironfest, a quirky celebration of blacksmithing and steampunk, highlights the town’s distinct tradition.