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.
Clarence
Where railway history meets rugged mountain country. Clarence is a village shaped by engineering feats, quiet forests and the spirit of adventure that still echoes across the ridgelines.
Set along the Bells Line of Road, between Bell and Lithgow, Clarence and Dargan are two mountain villages that helped shape New South Wales’ railway story. Once home to railway workers, dams, and tunnels, the area now draws visitors for its heritage sites, bushwalks, and adventure sports.
At Clarence, the star attraction is the Zig Zag Railway - a marvel of 19th-century engineering designed by John Whitton, the “Father of NSW Railways.” Constructed between 1866 and 1869, this heritage-listed railway was an extraordinary solution to the challenge of hauling coal, iron, and farm produce across the Blue Mountains. Today, the restored Zig Zag Railway once again carries visitors through sweeping sandstone cuttings, tunnels, and spectacular views, offering a glimpse into Australia’s rail history.
Nearby, Dargan’s Creek and its historic dams - originally built to supply water for steam trains - are reminders of the region’s industrial past. The surrounding area is now a magnet for bushwalkers, mountain bikers, and canyoning enthusiasts, who come to explore rugged ridgelines and peaceful forest reserves within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
In the early 1900s, Clarence was home to more than 5,000 residents, most of them working on the Ten Tunnels Deviation—a heritage-listed 9.2 km section of railway built to bypass the Zig Zag’s steep climb. The construction was a monumental effort, with horses craned down cliff faces and workers enduring icy winters on the ridges.
Today, the remnants of this incredible era remain visible across the landscape, connecting visitors to a time when the railway carved its way through the mountains and helped open up the west.
Must-sees in Clarence & Dargan
- Zig Zag Railway – ride the heritage-listed railway through sandstone cuttings and tunnels - a living piece of NSW engineering history.
- Ten Tunnels Deviation – a remarkable 9.2 km section of the Main Western Line, completed in 1910, that transformed train travel across the Blue Mountains.
- Dargan’s Creek Reserve – a peaceful bushland area within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, ideal for bushwalking and birdwatching.
- Historic Railway Dams – explore the old dams built to service steam locomotives - quiet reminders of the area’s industrial past.
Where heritage, nature, and adventure come together in the heart of the Seven Valleys.
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.