Move over Blue Mountains. Lithgow is Coming of Age
Every week visitors tell Sharon Howard, curator of Lithgow’s Gang Gang Gallery that they came to Lithgow “because the mountains are just too busy”.
Plenty on offer in Lithgow
Nestled in a valley on the western edge of the Blue Mountains Lithgow is little over two hours from Sydney. With its strong industrial heritage, fascinating laneways, hiking tracks and birdwatching trails nearby, there’s something for everyone.
Walk down Main Street
The decorative facades of Main Street were built around the early 1900s. A mix of small-town shops including cafés, boutiques, a delightful antique store and a shop featuring pressed tin panels lines the street.


Artworks brighten laneways. Blue pipes twist and twirl along Whispering Lane. In Gallery Lane works by Anne Christie reflect the natural beauty of nearby Hassans Walls. Burns Lane, adjacent to the library, depicts books and insects sculpted by Tim Johnman while brick sized tiles decorate Secret Lane.

Colourful birdhouses adorn a wall near Pioneer Park. Crocheted works created by a group of women calling themselves “Out on a Limb” brighten fences and trees throughout the town.
Gang Gang Gallery
A larger than life Gang Gang Cockatoo adorns the side wall of a Gallery named after the cockatoo. Located in the heritage Old Refreshments Building of the adjacent Theatre Royal, the gallery focusses on contemporary Australian art and hosts popular monthly music recitals.

Across the road, garden enthusiasts will enjoy strolling through Queen Elizabeth Park’s avenue of roses and garden displays. At the opposite end of town relax in the manicured gardens of the Uniting Church in Bridge Street.
History Avenue
Industrial heritage forms the backbone of Lithgow. Walk along Inch Street to discover the 30 sculptures which constitute History Avenue. The sculptures depict local historic events from when Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813 to the demolition of the Blast Furnace began in 1929.


The Blast Furnace
The remains of Australia’s first modern blast furnace provide interesting lines and angles for photographers and visitors alike. Lake Pillans, a short walk from the furnace forms part of the wetlands which stored cooling water for the furnaces. A haven for birdwatchers.


State Mine Heritage Park
Working life in the early coal mines was tough. Just how tough can be seen at the volunteer run State Mine Heritage Park. Read the stories and explore the displays of miner’s equipment and machinery.

Small Arms Factory
Lithgow’s rail siding, coal supply and steelworks made it ideally positioned for a small arms factory. An American company, Pratt and Whitney, won the tender to supply the complete plant for precision arms manufacture.
Discover more at the Small Arms Factory Museum where rows of original machinery stand on wooden slats which cover the concrete factory floor to absorb sound and machine vibrations.


Surprisingly, the museum displays more than guns and the machinery that made them. Slazenger golf irons, Sunbeam Mixmasters and sewing machines were also manufactured here.
A private collection of over 1000 handguns includes an open wooden case holding two duelling pistols with their long barrels. An inscription on one handgun reads “Presented to A H Gilbertson by Members of All Saints Church Choir on the Occasion of his leaving for Australia February 1896”. Another decorated with armoured vehicles and map of Iraq is part of a “Gulf Victory Series”.
The Gun Emplacements
The Gun Emplacements, constructed during WWll, protected the Small Arms Factory and Lithgow’s mining, manufacturing and transport industries. Located in a small paddock, anti-aircraft guns point to the sky surrounded by thick brick and concrete walls.

Scenic Lookouts
Hassans Walls Lookout is the highest scenic lookout in the Blue Mountains. Minutes from Lithgow along an unsealed road, a wide boardwalk extends out to the edge of the ridgeline. Beyond the dramatic cliffs and pagoda rock formations, the view across the Hartley Valley reaches Blackheath and Mount Wilson.
Snakes frequent a second bush track running almost parallel to the boardwalk. A beautiful copperhead slithered off the track on our cautious approach. The sweeping view after stepping through a hole in a large rock makes the risk worthwhile.


Bracey Lookout offers views across the town of Lithgow to the Blast Furnace surrounding hills. Returning to Lithgow via Hartley Valley Road, colourful metal installations line the road as it passes through Doctors Gap. Representing various professions including miners, a policeman and a soldier, the sculptures warn drivers to slow down.

Portland
The silo trail is on many a bucket list. Portland’s Silos, known as The Foundations, are a short drive from Lithgow. Created by Guido van Helton the works depict six former Cement Workers. However, there’s more to Portland than silos. Murals decorate walls throughout the small town. Take a walk to discover colourful depictions of old advertisements including Arnott’s, Bushells, Sunlight Soap and Weetbix.


The Food Scene
Lithgow’s café scene is up there with the best. I can vouch for brunch at The Tin Shed (which also sells local cheese and sourdough bread) and at Hometown. Dinner options are a bit more limited.

The Bushman’s Motor Inn and the Zig Zag Motel have restaurants on site and Ambermere Inn (15-minute drive from Lithgow) serves dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Apart from the Workies Club there’s little open on a Sunday night.
Sharon Howard says new eateries are being added all the time. Recently I had cause to be in Lithgow on a Sunday night. Following Kat’s suggestion below I went to the Blue Fox Bar and Kitchen for a lovely evening of good food in a comfortable environment.
Lithgow provides a perfect and quieter alternative to the Blue Mountains. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Enjoyed discovering Lithgow? Then you’ll enjoy discovering some of the towns nearby like Mudgee, Sofala and Hill End.
Useful Information
- The Lithgow Visitor Centre at 1137 Great Western Highway, provides a map showing all places of interest
- Check museum opening times as these may be restricted to weekends.
I would just like to add: Club Lithgow in the center of town is open on a Sunday night with both Chinese and Bistro food available under the one roof. With that said the Bistro is open every night with plenty on offer.
Thanks for that info, Kitty.
The Blue Fox Bar and Kitchen is also open on a Sunday night ?
Thanks, Kat. It seems that since I visited things have opened up more. I’ll update the post to reflect your comments
Thank you Joanne. Never would have thought there was so much to see in Lithgow!!! Your articles are always SOoooo informative——- I love reading them.
Glad you enjoyed the read, Carolyn.
The Art School at The Pottery has been a great addition to Lithgow.
Thanks for that information, Rachel. An Art School sounds like a perfect addition.
Lived and worked in Lithgow in early 1980’s – then it was a very transient smoke filled towns with coal mines in full swing. Time to revisit!
How interesting, Loraine. Sounds as if it wasn’t very pleasant then. Now the air feels fresh. I enjoyed my little sojourn there.
Thanks for the tip Graham. We’ll look for it next time.
Fancy – a pair of duelling pistols to prepare a chap for Australia – and they were a gift from a church! Such a gem in a town I visited once for work in the 1970s and never thought to return. Thanks Jo.
June
Yes, June. That’s what got me – a gift from a church. I think it’s worth a return visit now.
Arts and crafts and industry make for a very interesting post Jo.
Now days Pratt & Whitney are in the business of manufacturing aerospace engines in military and civil aviation.
Lithgow is a really interesting place, Bernadette. Thanks for the update re Pratt and Whitney.
Poity you didnt take a drive to Wallerawang, Wolgan, Rydal, Tarana.
I’ll make a point of exploring the area further taking your suggestions into account, Danny. Time constraints mean it’s not possible to do everything.
Secret Creek is a Vegan restaurant well worth checking out – also has eastern Quolls, dingos, Tasmanian Devils, long-nosed Potoroo, Rufous Bettong, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, the Cream-striped Red-necked Pademelon, Swamp Wallaby, Emu on site. https://www.secretcreekcafe.com/
Sounds like I need to go there, Joanne. Next time.
I stayed a weekend in Lithgow as a little girl because my father was working there, roofing. All I remember is the big old hotel we stayed in with burning log fires and a great staircase. I know it was cold because my mother dressed me in layers of clothing. My cousin is a manager at the visitor centre and in charge of promotion ect. We are hoping to visit there early next year when we stay in Sydney. There is a direct train to Lithgow which from memory is only around $7 and quicker than driving. I enjoyed reading your article and the pictures Joanne. I am hoping the zig zag train will be operational again by then.
I find all your articles inspirational Joanne. You inspire me to visit places in Australia that I would never have considered visiting. Thank you.
What vivid memories, Kerrie. I hope you get to do the Zig Zag Railway. I haven’t had the pleasure… yet! I’m pleased you find the articles inspiring. Joanne