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.
Rydal
Home of the Rydal Show and Daffodils at Rydal, this pretty village hosts a range of events throughout the year.
Just 15 minutes west of Lithgow, Rydal is a pretty village set among rolling farmland and wide country skies. Known as the home of the Rydal Show, often described as “the best little show in the west”, and the much-loved Daffodils at Rydal festival, this small community hosts a calendar of events that reflect its strong local spirit and connection to the land.
Like many villages across the Seven Valleys, Rydal grew with the arrival of the railway, and its history is still visible in the layout of the town and the pride locals take in preserving its character. There are no shops here, only the hotel, two churches and open countryside beyond. For supplies, nearby Wallerawang is a short drive away, but most people visit Rydal for what it doesn’t have rather than what it does.
At the heart of the village stands the Hotel Alexander, known simply as the Rydal Pub. A long-standing social hub, it welcomes locals and travellers alike with open fires in winter, a relaxed dining room and sweeping views across surrounding farmland from the verandah and beer garden. Classic home-style meals, coffee and simple pub accommodation upstairs make it an easy base for a quiet country escape.
In spring, thousands of daffodils planted by the community bloom across paddocks and gardens, celebrated during the annual Daffodils at Rydal festival. The Rydal Show, held each year at the showground, brings together livestock, produce, home baking, crafts and family-friendly entertainment for a classic country day out. Together, these events capture the essence of the village. Unpretentious, welcoming and full of heart.
Rydal is not flashy, and it does not try to be. It offers a simple country experience shaped by landscape, history and a close-knit community, inviting visitors to slow down and enjoy a quieter side 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.