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 the History Lover
Step back in time at Glen Davis Ruins
Built in the late 1930s, the works were established to produce shale oil as a strategic fuel supply, particularly during World War II when imported fuel was uncertain. At its peak, around 2,500 people lived in the purpose-built township of Glen Davis. There were houses, a school, a cinema, shops, and sporting facilities, all supporting what was then one of the largest industrial operations in the region.
Today, the massive concrete structures, steel frameworks, and processing towers remain, slowly being reclaimed by the landscape. Surrounded by sheer valley walls and native bush, the site has a scale and atmosphere that’s hard to grasp until you’re standing in it.
The guided tour
The ruins can be explored on a guided walking tour, held every Saturday and led by knowledgeable local volunteers who share the stories behind the site.
Tours run:
- April to September: 3pm–5pm
- October to March (Daylight Saving): 5pm–7pm
The later summer start time helps avoid the heat and often coincides with the valley’s late afternoon light, which adds to the experience.
During the tour, you’ll walk through key sections of the former refinery, learning how shale was processed into fuel, what daily life was like for workers and families, and why the operation ultimately closed. Guides bring personal stories, historical detail, and a strong sense of place, helping visitors understand both the ambition of the project and the challenges it faced.
What to know before you go
- Cost: $25 per adult, $10 for children under 12
- Payment: Cash or EFTPOS ( Transaction fee applies )
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Terrain: Walking tour over uneven ground
Wear covered, sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. The site is exposed, and conditions can change quickly in the valley. Bring water, especially in warmer months.
More than ruins
A visit to Glen Davis is not just about industrial history. It’s about standing in a place where a whole community once thrived, worked, and hoped for a future that ultimately shifted.
Set against one of the widest valleys in the world, the site captures both the scale of human ambition and the enduring presence of the landscape. It’s a powerful, grounded experience and one of the Seven Valleys’ most compelling heritage stories.
Keep exploring
Guides & Itineraries
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 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
· 4 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 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.