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
Hartley Historic Site
Step into an open-air museum at Hartley Historic Site and trace the changing fortunes of Australia’s early inland settlement.
An intact historical village dating back to 1837, the site is a treasure trail that can be explored with a self-guided tour. Discover convict graffiti on the cell walls of Hartley Courthouse and visit the beautifully preserved St Bernard’s Church.
Visitors can look for platypus along the River Lett, climb up to Kew-Y-Ahn Tor for expansive valley views.
The Hartley Visitor Centre is housed in the colonial Farmers Inn, where the Kew-Y-Ahn Gallery showcases an ever-changing exhibition of works for sale by contemporary Aboriginal artists from the NSW Central West.
Open 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm Thursday to Sunday. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
Self-guided tours of courthouse and church
Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Art Gallery
Easy- to medium-grade walking tracks
Gold Rush Antiques
Gift shop, snacks and restrooms
Accommodation and venue hire available
Contact Details
Address: 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley 2790
Phone: (02) 6355 2117
Website: HartleyHistoricSite
email: hartleyhistoricsite@environment.nsw.gov.au
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 walk through open ridgelines and quiet stone country.
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.
