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 lake lovers
Lakes of the Seven Valleys
Whether you come to camp by the water, launch a kayak at sunrise or spend a quiet afternoon with a fishing rod, these lakes invite you to take your time and enjoy the landscape in a simple, grounded way.
Lake Lyell
Lake Lyell sits just outside Lithgow and offers one of the region’s most relaxed lakeside settings. The recreation park has powered and unpowered campsites, some positioned right on the water. Visitors can swim, paddle, water ski or settle into the shade with a picnic. Facilities include hot showers, clean amenities, picnic shelters, barbecues and a kiosk with hot food and essentials. A small entry fee supports the upkeep of the area.
Fishing is a major drawcard, with rainbow trout, brown trout and Australian bass commonly caught. Anglers can fish from the bank or from a boat, with trolling, lure casting and fly fishing all well suited to the lake. The surrounding bushland makes early mornings and evenings especially peaceful.
Lake Wallace
Lake Wallace in Wallerawang is a welcoming recreation area with easy access from town. It is RV friendly with free self-contained camping. There are toilets, hot showers, barbecues, a playground and an off-leash dog area, making it ideal for families and travellers. The lake is popular for picnics, paddling, sailing and gentle walks.
Fishing is consistently good, with rainbow trout, brown trout and stocked bass all present. The level walking track makes it easy to enjoy the lake from different viewpoints or walk into nearby shops and cafes.
Thompsons Creek Dam
Thompsons Creek Dam is one of the region’s most respected fly-fishing destinations. The dam offers quiet, glassy water where anglers can cast from the shoreline. It is known for its strong rainbow trout and seasonal trophy brown trout. Rich weed beds and clear water make it ideal for fly fishing after dark in summer or lure casting during the winter months. No entry to the water is permitted. Accommodation, including camping, is available in nearby Wallerawang or Portland, or throughout the Seven Valleys.
Plan Your Lake Visit
When the locals are lakeside, you know it’s the time to go. Spring and Autumn are the most popular time to visit our lakes especially if you’re camping.
Remember is you are staying lakeside, to stock up out our local butchers and green grocers to add some local flavour to the lakeside scenery. Also, check weather conditions, especially the cooler months.
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.
