I discovered the best things to do in Lithgow, NSW

The best things to do in Lithgow, NSW, include admiring the view from Hassans Walls and enjoying the marvellously weird Blast Furnace Park.

Lithgow, NSW, is a town that’s technically in the Central Tablelands. To all intents and purposes, however, it marks the western end of the Blue Mountains. The Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road meet here, a two hour drive from Sydney. Meanwhile, the Castlereagh Highway begins at Marrangaroo, effectively a suburb of Lithgow.

Lithgow accommodation options include the well-reviewed Bowen Inn Motel and the handily-located Lithgow Workies Club Motel.

For visitors, Lithgow offers up a curious mix of industrial heritage and natural beauty.

Things to do in Lithgow, NSW: Heritage attractions

Things to do in Lithgow, NSW, include the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park. On the site of a former coal mine, there’s a whiff of missed opportunity to do something better here, but you can still get something of an education on the coal mining past.

Perhaps more memorable is Blast Furnace Park, which has been turned into a park, just keeping the industrial remnants intact.

Blast Furnace Park in Lithgow, NSW. Photo courtesy of Tourism Lithgow.

Somewhat more niche is the Lithgow Small Arms Factory, which produced World War I rifles, and now is a museum devoted to the manufacture of guns and other weaponry.

Eskbank House and Museum does the standard local history thing, but on the scenic grounds of a heritage estate.

Things to do in Lithgow, NSW: Natural attractions

Let’s face it, the natural attractions around Lithgow are probably more appealing. There are several attractive spots to investigate, starting with Hassans Walls about 5km to the south. This lookout stares over toward Mount Wilson and the Hartley Valley. It’s the highest lookout in the Blue Mountains region.

To the north of Lithgow, you’ll find the Lost City on the Newnes Plateau. This isn’t really a lost city – it’s just that the weird rock formations look a little like South-East Asian pagodas. You can see more of these pagoda-like stone towers from the Dobbs Drift Lookout, just to the north of the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park.

Stretching further afield, Lithgow makes a handy base for exploring the Wolgan Valley and Wollemi National Park.

Top Lithgow accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Lithgow are:

For the highest guest ratings: Lithgow Workies Club Motel.
For heritage and charm: Wenvoe Historic Retreat.
For a heated outdoor pool: Zig Zag Motel and Apartments.

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