The Postmistress Cafe and Store

Hartley Historic Site

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Overview

The Postmistress Cafe and Store is in Hartley Historic Village, midway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Oozing rustic charm, this quaint cafe is the perfect stopover when visiting Hartley.

Type
Cafes and kiosks
Where
37 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Hard
Opening times

The Postmistress Cafe and Store is open Thursday to Sunday, including any public holidays that fall on those days, from 9am to 3pm. Closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Housed in the lovingly conserved former post office, the cafe offers a peaceful escape with scenic views of Hartley Courthouse and the valley escarpment.

Indulge in barista-made coffee and home-cooked meals crafted from fresh, local produce. As you soak in the serenity of Hartley Historic Village, take a moment to remember that you’re lunching in the 8th official post office in NSW.

The charming heritage-listed building features a warm gas fireplace to enjoy in winter. When the weather’s warmer, dine alfresco in the outdoor garden seating, surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms and daffodils.

As well as being a great place for kids to let loose, the garden surrounds are alive with local birdlife. Superb fairy-wrens, sulphur-crested cockatoos, crimson rosellas and wedge-tailed eagles can sometimes be seen circling overhead. You might even spot an eastern grey kangaroo.

Before you go, browse a selection of locally and Australian made gifts, jewellery and jams at the adjoining store.

If you’re keen to explore the village, drop into nearby Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre. Discover the town’s past with a self-guided tour or purchase locally made art from the Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery.

Dogs are permitted in the village but should always be held on a lead.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cafes-and-kiosks/the-postmistress-cafe-and-store/local-alerts

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about The Postmistress Cafe and Store.

Getting there and parking

From Blackheath and Mount Victoria:

  • Tavel west along Great Western Highway.
  • Turn left into Hartley village 4km after Little Hartley

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

  • Street parking is available on a gravel surface close to Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre.
  • There’s one accessible parking space located directly in front of the cafe.
  • Bus parking is available.

Facilities

Toilets

Public toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located behind the cafe via a sealed pathway.

  • Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Cafe/kiosk

Carpark

Drinking water

Electric power

Seats and resting points

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - hard

  • The Postmistress Cafe and Store is not wheelchair-accessible however there are accessible picnic tables on a grassed surface outside the cafe.
  • There's also 1 accessible parking space out the front.
  • An accessible public toilet is located behind the cafe via a sealed pathway.

Permitted

Pets

You can walk your dog on-lead at this location. See other regional parks in NSW that have dog walking areas.

Prohibited

Smoking

Visitor centre

Learn more

The Postmistress Cafe and Store is in Hartley Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Aboriginal meeting place

Looking up the hill towards a granite rock outcrop in Hartley named Kew-Y-Ahn which holds great significance to the local the Aboriginal community, and many artists, and photographers. Credit: Natasha Webb © Natasha Webb/DCCEEW

Hartley Historic Village is set in a landscape of great and continuing importance to Aboriginal people who have lived on and passed through this land for thousands of years.

A tor, or cluster of granite rocks known as Kew-Y-Ahn to local Aboriginal people, is said to have been a meeting place for the Wiradjuri People from the west and Gundungurra People from the east.

Excellent bushwalking on historic roads

2 people on Rowsons River walk, a boardwalk surrounded by bush next to the River Lett near Hartley Historic Site. Credit: John Spencer © DCCEEW

The Hartley area is great for bushwalking. Kew-Y-Ahn Bells Rock Heritage Walking Track is a 600m return walk to a striking granite tor with valley views. Rowsons River walk is a 1km loop by the river and Rowsons Hut remains.

Outside the village, you may like to set out on Lawson's Long Alley, Lockyer's Pass or Berghofer's Pass. Hartley’s rural setting is welcoming and peaceful – perfect for a picnic or a satisfying stroll.

  • Corneys Garage Nestled in the heart of Hartley Historic Site is Corneys Garage. Browse through a beautiful selection of antiques, while enjoying an immersive shopping experience near Lithgow.
  • Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre Stop in at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to find out about the history of the buildings and village, book tours, and stock up on snacks and drinks.
  • The Postmistress Cafe and Store The Postmistress Cafe and Store is in Hartley Historic Village, midway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Oozing rustic charm, this quaint cafe is the perfect stopover when visiting Hartley.

The story of settlement

An aerial image of heritage settlement buildings at Hartley Historic Site. Credit: John Spencer © DCCEEW

This exceptionally well-maintained village is of national historical significance as a substantial early nineteenth-century settlement. It tells modern visitors a great deal about the expansion of European development in inland Australia and the beautiful old buildings illustrate the changing role and fortunes of Hartley from first settlement of the inland to the beginning of the motor transport era. Discover more interesting facts at the visitor centre or buy a ticket for a self-guided tour. Large groups can book in advance on (02) 6355 2117.

  • Corneys Garage Nestled in the heart of Hartley Historic Site is Corneys Garage. Browse through a beautiful selection of antiques, while enjoying an immersive shopping experience near Lithgow.
  • Former St Bernards Church Take a tour or arrange an event at Former St Bernards Church in Hartley, a lovingly preserved example of colonial sandstone architecture.
  • Hartley Courthouse This fine example of colonial architecture allows you to imagine the convicts, magistrates and members of the public passing through its doors. Book a guided tour through Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre.
  • Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre Stop in at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to find out about the history of the buildings and village, book tours, and stock up on snacks and drinks.
  • Hartley historical tour On this interactive Stage 3 (Years 5-6) History excursion, students visit key sites in the Hartley Historic Site colonial village: the courthouse, the gaol and St Bernards Church. They'll explore the history of how this key colony developed and take part in fun re-enactments with our Discovery Rangers. 
  • The Postmistress Cafe and Store The Postmistress Cafe and Store is in Hartley Historic Village, midway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Oozing rustic charm, this quaint cafe is the perfect stopover when visiting Hartley.
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Education resources (1)

School excursions (1)