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.
Tarana
The village of Tarana, located in the beautiful Tarana Valley, is a scenic thirty-minute drive from Lithgow.
Set within the scenic Tarana Valley, around thirty minutes from Lithgow, the village of Tarana is small in scale but rich in landscape, history and character. Surrounded by granite country, bushland and river flats, it offers bushwalks, fishing and a strong sense of place shaped by both nature and industry.
Just beyond the village rises Evans Crown Nature Reserve, one of the region’s most striking natural landmarks. Formed millions of years ago when volcanic activity pushed magma through the earth’s crust, the exposed granite ridge now stands as a series of towering boulders and sculptural tors. Walking among them feels ancient and grounding, and the climb to the summit of The Crown, more than 1,100 metres above sea level, rewards with wide views across the valley. For the Wiradjuri people, this landscape holds deep cultural significance as an important ceremonial site connected to ancient songlines, and it remains a place of meaning and respect.
Tarana’s heritage is closely tied to rail and stone. The Tarana Railway Station opened in 1872 on the Main Western Line, connecting the village to Sydney and beyond and shaping its growth. Nearby Sodwalls still carries traces of Cox’s Road to Bathurst, along with old railway alignments and viaducts that speak to the determination required to open up the central west. For decades, Tarana was also known for its granite quarry, with distinctive pink Tarana granite used in significant buildings across New South Wales, including the Sydney Opera House and the Anzac Memorial.
At the heart of the village stands the Tarana Hotel, a long-standing local institution and natural gathering place. It reflects the character of the village itself, relaxed, welcoming and community-minded. Flowing quietly past town is the Fish River, a tributary of the upper Macquarie River, with Flat Rock a favourite swimming and picnic spot. Clear water, smooth rock shelves and shaded banks make it ideal on warm days, while the river’s classification as a general trout stream draws anglers in search of brown trout.
Whether you are climbing granite ridges, tracing old rail lines, swimming in the river or sharing a meal at the pub, Tarana offers a quiet kind of richness that lingers long after you leave the valley.
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.