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.
Gardens of Stone
· 70 KM
· 1 days
Riding Gardens of Stone
The Ride
Start at the Lithgow Blast Furnace, an easy and familiar place to roll out from. Ride through town and onto State Mine Gully Road, where gravel soon replaces bitumen, and the bush begins to close in.
The first climb comes early and asks for a steady effort. Sandstone lines the road and ferns sit close to the edges as the ride shifts fully into the landscape. The gradient settles after a few sharper sections, setting the tone for the kilometres ahead.
At the top, the riding follows the ridgeline with an undulating gradient, through trees and a network of former forest roads. Follow the Glow Worm Tunnel road, quiet and uninterrupted, with little to draw your attention away from the road itself.
At the junction of the Glow Worm Tunnel Road and Old Coach Road, keep right toward Old Coach Road. Walk your bike through the gate and follow the track as it narrows and drops slightly. The bush feels closer here. Near the end of the Coach Road, a short set of stairs requires a brief dismount before continuing down to the Wolgan River.
The return climb is steady and direct. Once back on the ridge, the road opens again and leads you calmly toward Lithgow. The final stretch is smooth and uncomplicated, closing out the loop without fuss.
Essentials
There is no food or water once you leave Lithgow, and phone reception drops out early. Bring what you need and download your map in advance. For a shorter ride, you can also start closer to the ridge near Glow Worm Tunnel Road.
Day 1
Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area
Starting at the Blast Furnace in Lithgow, head down the hill from the Blast Furnace and turn right. Ride for about 600m and then turn left on Atkinson St. There is a small sign for State Mine Gully Road on the pole.
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The Newnes Plateau Cliffs
Head along State Mine Gully Road. Go past the railway museum then at 3km you will go past sign which says Newnes Plateau Discovery Trail. At 3.4km you will hit smooth gravel. To start, there is a steep climb. This section is where you will be surrounded by spectacular sandstone rocks, deep green ferns and maybe even a rock climber. Once you have crested the climb at (around 7.2km), you are on a long ridge gravel road. Then you are predominately descending all the way, around 35km. The ridge riding offers beautiful views of the Gardens of Stone National Park.
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Gardens of Stone National Park
You will soon enter Wollemi National Park before riding back into Gardens of Stone National Park area. You will reach a fork in the road. Take the Old Coach Road to the right. Before Lon you will reach a locked National Park gate where you can wheel your bike through and continue along the fire trail to the Glow worm Coach Track.
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Glow Worm Tunnel
Along the Glowworm Coach Track you will need to walk your bike down the bush stairs. The initial climb out on the Glowworm Tunnel Road is less steep than the Old Coach Road but it still has steeper sections. As this route is primarily and out and back, you will then ride along the ridge road you came down, predominantly climbing all the way back.
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Lithgow
You are on the downward road back to the beginning, please use caution as you leave the Gardens of Stone National Park as it is quite steep before getting back to the township of Lithgow and the area of the Blast Furnace.
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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.
