For those wondering
You might think you don’t know the Seven Valleys, but chances are you have seen it, driven through it, or heard stories from someone who has.
For for green thumbs and those that wish they were
Hidden Gardens of the Seven Valleys
Some sit behind hedges. Others open onto wide escarpment views. Each garden tells a different story, shaped by soil, seasons and the people who care for it.
Highfield Gardens
Highfields is a 6-acre garden created by horticulturalist David Kennedy. It features rock walls, themed borders, perennial walks, a birch grove and water elements. Known for its rare plant collection through Clover Hill Rare Plants, the garden has been showcased in major publications. Escarpment views frame the spaces and seating areas invite visitors to pause. Plant stalls, morning and afternoon teas and light lunches are available, and David is often nearby to share advice.
Hartvale Gardens
Hartvale sits at the base of Mount York and is known for its joyful, paint box style planting. Poppies, roses, salvias and aquilegias bring colour throughout spring, while water features, a potager garden and an open art studio add interest. Artisan stalls, delicious teas and original artwork by Jennifer Edwards help create a warm and personal atmosphere.
Can;t get enough of the gardens? Visitors can choose to stay at the gardens at the Hartvale Cottage with its spectacular valley and mountain views.
Gory’u Japanese Gardens
Gory’u offers a traditional Japanese garden experience across more than five acres. The property features maples, conifers, a flowing stream, ornamental bridges, a lake and lanterns. Views extend toward Mount York and Sugarloaf Mountain. Maple Springs Nursery is open for visitors seeking rare maples and cool climate plants.
Wild Meadows Garden
Wild Meadows is a naturalistic garden designed by horticulturalist Stephen Vella. Its sweeping borders blend irises, roses, lupins and foxgloves, while the woodland garden brings cooler tones beneath mature maples. A productive vegetable patch, orchard and beehives add richness. Plant stalls, teas and guided talks offer insight into Stephen’s approach to gardens that feel alive and ever changing.
Hartley Valley Garden Festival & Plant Fair – 24 & 25 October 2026
This October, five spectacular private gardens across Hartley and Little Hartley will once again open their gates for the much-loved Hartley Valley Garden Festival & Plant Fair. Wander through beautifully designed landscapes, from colourful perennial borders and country cottage gardens to peaceful Japanese-inspired spaces and grand rural estates, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Hartley Valley.
Alongside the gardens, visitors can browse specialist plant growers offering rare and unusual varieties, discover artisan stalls, handcrafted garden art and original works by local artists, or simply slow down with coffee, homemade treats or a picnic beneath the trees. Whether you're searching for inspiration for your own garden or simply looking for a beautiful spring day out, this annual festival is one of the Seven Valleys' highlights.
Plan Your Visit
The gardens of Hartley offer more than colour and design. They reflect the people who shaped them and the landscape that holds them. Whether you visit during the festival or wander at another time, these gardens invite you to slow down, explore at your own pace and enjoy the quiet beauty that makes the valley feel so welcoming.
Keep exploring
Guides & Itineraries
For history lovers
Walk through nearly 200 years of history in one of Australia's best-preserved colonial villages.
For the food lovers
From old-fashioned lolly shops to long lunches and local favourites
For a memorable escape
From romantic cottages and luxury retreats to family farm stays and peaceful escapes, there's a place here for every kind of getaway.
For coffee lovers
Our cafés are places where good food, friendly faces and a sense of calm come together. These are some of our favourite spots to settle in with a cup and enjoy the moment.
For the Curious Wanderers
Some walks take half an hour. Others take a full day. A few end in darkness, with thousands of tiny lights overhead. We have a track to suit every kind of wander.
For lake lovers
Each of our lakes reflect a different side of the region, from peaceful bushland settings to family friendly recreation areas and quiet fishing spots known only to those who seek them out.
For for green thumbs and those that wish they were
Tucked between escarpments, along quiet country roads and behind unassuming gates, the Seven Valleys is home to gardens that reward those who take the time to wander.
For River Seekers
Wild swimming in the Seven Valleys is not something most people come here specifically looking for. It is something you discover along the way.
For the adventurous
The Glow Worm Tunnel is one of the most memorable natural experiences in the Seven Valleys. Set within Wollemi National Park, this former railway tunnel shelters thousands of soft blue lights that cling to the damp stone walls.
Gardens of Stone
· 70 KM
· 1 days
A long gravel ride through open ridgelines and quiet stone country.
For the History Lover
Vertical sandstone cliffs stand guard as you explore the crumbling, vegetation-covered Glen Davis Shale Oil Works structures.
For the Outlook Explorers
If you like your scenery served up without too much effort, the Seven Valleys delivers in spades.
For nature lovers
Towering sandstone pagodas, sheer cliffs, slot canyons and sweeping plateaus give the area a dramatic, sculptural feel. Welcome to Gardens of Stone.
For the explorer
The Bracey Lookout gives a 180° view of the Lithgow Valley, offering one of the best overviews of the city of Lithgow.
For nature lovers
Wolgan Valley is a place of wide horizons, deep stillness and long stories. The valley has been cared for by the Wiradjuri people for tens of thousands of years, and their presence can still be felt in the rock art that lines the sandstone shelters.
Wollemi National Park
· 26 KM
· 2 days
A long gravel ride through open ridgelines and quiet stone country.
Seven Valley's
· 180 KM
· 3 days
A slow camping route through Seven Valleys’ most secluded bush camps.
For the railway enthusiasts
A heritage train ride just outside Lithgow that lets you hop aboard and watch bush, escarpments, and valleys roll by, without needing to be a rail expert to enjoy it.
For lake seekers
Each lake in the Seven Valleys offers its own way of spending a day, shaped by the land around it and the people who know it well.
For garden lovers
Celebrate spring as five spectacular private gardens open their gates for one unforgettable weekend
For the history lover
Built in the 1840's, Eskbank House and Museum showcases a fascinating historical collection of Lithgow's social and industrial heritage.
For the Sky Watchers
Once the sun drops behind the ridgelines, the noise fades, the air cools, and that 7V sky starts to do its thing.
For the Refined Retreaters
Our luxury stays are not about excess, but about quiet beauty, deep rest and experiences shaped by nature.
For the Eccentric Stay Seeker
Staying in the Seven Valleys often means something a little unexpected, with accommodation that reflects the landscape and rewards slowing down.
For the history lover
A heritage-listed 19th century village, Hartley has one of the finest collections of historic buildings in Australia, including its 1837 courthouse.
For the Family Days
Play spaces across the region are practical and easy to use, giving kids freedom to run, climb and explore while the rest of the day unfolds around them.
