Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Lithgow, Australia

This historic manufacturing city is nestled in an extraordinary valley within the western Blue Mountains.

Lithgow stands as a beacon of Australian innovations, serving as the birthplace of the nation’s steel industry and housing its inaugural mass production gun factory.

Visitors can explore Australian craftsmanship through a variety of museums and uncover fascinating examples of industrial heritage at ghost towns, derelict century-old facilities, and an ancient railway tunnel now home to shimmering glowworms.

The dramatic landscapes of the Blue Mountains frame Lithgow, allowing access to breathtaking lookouts, significant Aboriginal heritage locations, and a multitude of hiking and scenic driving opportunities.

1. Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum

Established in 1912, this facility was the nation’s first high precision mass production site, created to fulfill Australia’s need for self-sufficient defense measures.

Initially producing SMLE III rifles before World War I, the factory later manufactured Bren guns and Vickers machine guns during WWII, followed by the F1 submachine gun in subsequent years.

In contemporary times, the Lithgow Small Arms Factory continues to supply the F88 Austeyr and F89 Minimi to the Australian Army.

The museum located on the factory grounds showcases one of Australia’s largest collections of civilian and military firearms, featuring machine guns, rifles, pistols, and more from around the globe.

Additionally, visitors can view an array of precision tools and appliances produced at this site over the past 110+ years.

2. Glow Worm Tunnel

The ceiling of a lengthy deserted railway tunnel from the old Newnes railway line has turned into a sanctuary for the bioluminescent larvae of arachnocampa richardsae, a unique fungus gnat indigenous to New South Wales.

They emit a captivating blue glow to lure their prey, primarily flying insects such as mosquitoes.

This remarkable spectacle is one of the highlights within Wollemi National Park, situated north of Lithgow.

The tunnel, stretching 400 meters, was excavated from sandstone in the early 1900s to serve the Newnes Kerosene Shale Works.

Access from Lithgow involves a well-maintained unsealed road, approximately one kilometer from the tunnel entrance.

3. Hassans Walls Lookout

The highest vantage point in the Blue Mountains is a short ten-minute drive from Lithgow’s central business district, located at the escarpment’s southern edge.

Hassans Walls Lookout reaches an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level and features a raised boardwalk that extends along a promontory, offering a stunning 180° panorama.

Beneath you lies the expansive Hartley Valley, while the picturesque expanse of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys stretches south.

Among the peaks observable are Mount York, Mount Tarana, Mount Blaxland, Mount Bindo, and Mount Wilson. A picnic table is available at the lookout’s edge for leisurely enjoyment of the scenery.

4. Blast Furnace Park

Blast Furnace Park presents a significant piece of Australian industrial history as the site of the nation’s first commercially viable steelworks.

This location possesses archaeological layers dating back to the 1870s.

The most well-preserved structures are the blast furnace, completed in 1913, along with its associated pump house.

Visitors can explore these ruins via elevated walkways, while informational displays elaborate on the site’s narrative, the processes of steel and iron production, and its contribution to the Trans-Australian Railway.

5. Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park

The history of the Western Coalfield in New South Wales is vividly displayed at the preserved Lithgow State Coal Mine, which serves as a fascinating museum.

This museum hosts what is considered Australia’s most extensive collection of mining artifacts, including coal loaders, coal cutters, underground vehicles, and continuous miners.

A wealth of tools, machinery, and additional artifacts illustrate the daily life of miners and the associated hazards of the profession.

A multimedia exhibition titled “Fire in the Mine” recounts the devastating effects of an underground fire that swept through the State Coal Mine in 1953.

6. Lake Wallace

This picturesque lake, located just outside of Lithgow, is nourished by the Cox’s River and is highly regarded as a favorable destination for RV and caravan enthusiasts.

A designated area accommodates these vehicles for a maximum stay of 24 hours.

Lake Wallace is also a sought-after spot among anglers, particularly for rainbow trout, which can grow up to half a meter in length.

The surrounding landscapes are a visual treat, framed by the Blue Mountains, and attract over 180 bird species to its shores.

Significantly, Lake Wallace is where Charles Darwin observed his first platypus in 1836, as documented in his diary during his visit.

7. Maiyingu Marragu (Blackfellows Hand Reserve)

Located not far from the Glow Worm Tunnel, this site has been a significant meeting place for local tribes for centuries.

Maiyingu Marragu continues to hold value for the Dharug, Dharkinjung, and Gandangara people, showcasing intricate rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and dense vegetation.

What captivates visitors here are the rock shelters adorned with beautiful Aboriginal stencil art, depicting hands and weapons, which offer a glimpse into a long-gone way of life.

The site is accessible via a car park suitable for 2WD vehicles, although caution is advised. A short walk will lead you to the cave shelters.

8. Eskbank House Museum

Adjacent to Blast Furnace Park, this historic property was established in the 1840s and built using convict labor on Wiradjuri Land.

Throughout its history, Eskbank House has served various roles including a mine owner’s residence, a manager’s home for an iron and steelworks, and a boarding school.

Preserved as a museum since the 1960s, this Georgian-style building, composed of local ashlar sandstone, also features a small complex of outbuildings, including a stable, coach house, worker’s quarters, and a blacksmith’s yard.

The museum’s extensive collection provides a comprehensive overview of Lithgow’s industrial past and the lifestyles of its early industrial leaders.

Notable exhibits comprise the nationally significant Lithgow Pottery Collection, the Bracey Furniture Collection, and remarkable artifacts from Lithgow ironworks, including Possum the Locomotive (1919).

9. Berghofer’s Pass

Located near the Great Western Highway, southeast of Lithgow, Berghofer’s Pass offers a scenic 4.5-kilometer walking path along one of the early highways.

This historic trail is part of the Blue Mountains Historic Crossings Walking Track and was constructed between 1907 and 1912. German immigrant J. W. Berghofer aimed to create an alternative route to Mitchell’s Victoria Pass, which had proven too steep for early motor vehicles.

Winding around Mount York, Berghofer’s Pass presents a series of sharp turns that soon became unsuitable for more powerful cars, leading to its closure in favor of Victoria Pass in 1934. For walkers, it offers a picturesque route with a gentle slope, ample overhead shade, and stunning views across the Hartley Valley.

10. Bracey Lookout

From this elevated position in the Hassans Walls Reserve, you can take in panoramic views over Lithgow, surrounded by gently rolling wooded hills.

Constructed in 1953, Bracey Lookout is named after John Bracey, who oversaw its design and construction. He is the son of Eric Bracey, who contributed significantly to the reserve’s development in earlier decades.

From this vantage point, one can observe the Lithgow Valley and Blast Furnace Park.

The site has recently been refurbished, featuring new furnishings and informational boards detailing the history of Hassans Walls Reserve and the lookout’s significance.

11. Bowenfels Gun Emplacements

As a vital center for mining, manufacturing, and transportation, Lithgow was identified as a potential target during World War II, especially following Japan’s entry into the conflict in September 1940. Consequently, a network of defense installations was constructed to address the escalating threat posed by advancing aircraft technology.

These sites represent the only surviving coastal WWII gun emplacements in New South Wales, with the location at Bowenfels recognized for its state heritage value.

Here, visitors will find four octagonal reinforced concrete emplacements, each equipped with 3.7-inch AA guns that have never been used in combat.

Notably, one of these guns was featured in Baz Luhrmann’s film “Australia” (2008).

12. Glen Davis Ruins

From 1865 until 1952, one-fifth of Australia’s total shale oil output originated from this facility in the remarkable Capertee Valley.

During its operational peak, Glen Davis was one of the largest employers in the region, with around 2,500 residents living in the township during World War II.

Production ceased in the early 1950s, and by 1954 only 154 inhabitants remained.

Today, guided tours are available through the haunting ruins of the industrial site and township, which have become partially engulfed by vegetation and contribute an impressive backdrop against the sandstone cliffs of Capertee Valley.

These tours are conducted on Saturdays at 14:00.

13. Queen Elizabeth Park

Visitors can relax in Lithgow’s beautiful main park located at the western end of the central business district.

This undulating space features expansive lawns, charming flower beds, shrubs, a rotunda, and a variety of mature hardwood and softwood trees, presenting a lovely vista especially during autumn.

Facilities include exercise equipment, as well as an innovative play area for younger guests sheltered by colorful sun shades.

The serene environment is complemented by the majestic backdrop of the Blue Mountains.

14. Ironfest

Lithgow takes great pride in its rich iron and steel-making legacy, which inspired local artist Macgregor Ross to establish Ironfest in 2000 to commemorate the centenary of Australian steel.

This festival occurs on the third weekend of April, celebrating Lithgow’s manufacturing heritage while exploring the broader connection between humanity and metal. Each year features a central theme; recent themes have included Gothic and Steampunk.

Hosted at the Showground, Ironfest attracts artists, musicians, enthusiasts, historical reenactors, and thousands of attendees, culminating in a vibrant program of unique experiences.

15. Zig Zag Railway

This heritage railway navigates the Blue Mountains along seven kilometers of one of the most remarkable tracks you will experience.

The railway follows the former Lithgow Zig Zag line, which is part of the Main Western Line, taking its name from the winding, zigzagging route that scaled the otherwise impassable incline.

The original line was operational from 1869 until 1975, and the heritage railway continues on the same route since 1975. As of 2020, the Zig Zag Railway was recovering from significant damage sustained during bushfires in 2013 and again in 2020, with plans for reopening proposed for 2021.