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 seekers
Lakes of the Seven Valleys
Water has a way of slowing things down here. At the lakes, mornings tend to begin with steam lifting off the surface, birds skimming low, and the quiet clink of gear being unpacked from the back of a car. These are places people return to often, not because they change much, but because they don’t.
Each lake offers its own way of spending a day, shaped by the land around it and the people who know it well.
Lake Lyell
Lake Lyell sits just beyond Lithgow, wide and open, with bushland wrapping gently around its edges. The recreation park makes it easy to stay close to the water, with powered and unpowered campsites, some only a few steps from the shoreline. Days here are flexible. Swimming, paddling and water-skiing share space with picnics under trees and slow afternoons watching the light move across the lake.
Facilities are well kept, with hot showers, barbecues, shelters and a kiosk for essentials. Fishing draws many people back, with rainbow and brown trout and Australian bass commonly landed. Early mornings and late evenings are favoured, when the water is calm, and the surrounding bush settles into quiet.
Lake Wallace
In Wallerawang, Lake Wallace feels woven into daily life. It is close to town, easy to reach, and welcoming to travellers, with free self-contained camping and space to park up without fuss. Families spread out along the foreshore, dogs roam the off-leash area, and kayaks slide into the water from the grassy edge.
A level walking track circles the lake, making it simple to wander at any pace or head into town for supplies. Fishing is reliable, with trout and stocked bass, and the mix of open space and nearby amenities gives the lake a lived in, local feel.
Thompsons Creek Reservoir
Thompsons Creek Reservoir asks for a quieter approach. The water is still, the banks more understated, and the focus here is fishing. Known among fly fishers for its clear water and healthy trout, it suits those happy to wade, cast and wait.
Summer evenings and winter mornings are both popular, depending on conditions, and the lack of powered sites keeps the atmosphere low key. Most visitors stay nearby in Wallerawang, returning to the water each day.
Plan Your Lake Visit
Spring and autumn tend to draw the most locals, especially for camping. Stocking up locally before settling in is part of the routine, as is keeping an eye on the weather. The lakes reward those who arrive prepared, ready to spend time rather than rush through it.
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.