Hartley Historic Site

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Overview

Step into a charming 19th century village at Hartley Historic Site near Lithgow. Set on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, it's now home to a gallery, short walks, a cafe and accommodation.

Read more about Hartley Historic Site

Hartley Historic Site is surrounded by serene pastures and is great for a pit-stop or longer stay near the Blue Mountains. You can bring your dogs along as they’re permitted in Hartley Historic Village but need to be on a lead at all times.

Start at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to see photographs and displays of the village in its heyday. You can also grab a brochure to help you explore the significant historic buildings on site.

Enjoy a coffee or tea in the heritage-listed building that’s now The Postmistress Cafe and Store. Then visit Gold Rush Antiques in the old Corneys Garage, an antique shop built of timber and iron in 1945.

Stretch your legs with a 30min return walk to a granite rock outcrop named Kew-Y-Ahn which holds great significance to the local Aboriginal community. With dreamy views over the valley and rolling hills it's a great spot for a picnic.

For a longer stroll, take the Rowsons River Walk 1km loop. This elevated boardwalk follows the pretty River Lett to the remains of Rowsons Huts. Dip your toes in the river’s cool waters before looping back to Hartley.

Savour this peaceful location by booking an overnight stay in a refurbished heritage cottage. You can also host a special event in one of the buildings for hire.

It’s a good idea to call the visitor centre before you visit to check what tours and events are on to make the most of your visit.

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/visit-a-park/parks/hartley-historic-site/local-alerts

Contact

  • in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • Hartley Historic Site is open every day but access may be limited at times due to fire danger, school bookings or organised events.

    • Hartley Visitor Centre
      02 6355 2117
      Contact hours: 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
    • Farmers Inn, 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley 2790
    • Email: hartley@environment.nsw.gov.au
    More
See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Hartley Historic Site.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Mt Victoria:

    • Travel west along the Great Western Highway
    • Turn left into the village 4km after Little Hartley

    Parking

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    There is no public transport available to Hartley Historic Site.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you at Hartley Historic Site. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    The rich colours of autumn leaves set a beautiful backdrop for walks in the village and Hartley valley.

    Spring

    Enjoy the village as the days grow warmer and the trees are in blossom.

    Summer

    Bring the kids in the school holidays and tour Hartley Courthouse. It stays cool despite the heat with its thick sandstone walls.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    12°C and 25°C

    Highest recorded

    38.4°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    1°C and 13°C

    Lowest recorded

    –8°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    January

    Driest month

    September

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    179mm

    Facilities

    Toilets

    Picnic tables Show more

    Barbecue facilities

    Cafe/kiosk

    Drinking water

    Showers

    Electric power

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    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).

    Permitted

    Pets

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

    Visitor centre

    Nearby towns

    Hartley (1 km)

    The small village of Hartley features one of the finest collections of historic buildings in Australia, providing a captivating look into the country's colonial past.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Lithgow (14 km)

    Hassans Walls Lookout, near Lithgow, is the highest in the Blue Mountains. Admire Mt Wilson, Mt York, Mt Tarana and Mt Blaxland as well as the pretty Hartley Valley below. To the south are the Kanimbla and Megalong valley and Mt Bindo. While there, go for a walk or ride around the lookout.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Mount Victoria (30 km)

    One of the best ways to enjoy the stunning natural scenery of the Blue Mountains is on the clifftop drive between Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. Lookouts, picnic areas and walking trails sprinkle the drive.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Hartley Historic Site is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

      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.
      Show more

      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.

      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.

      Education resources (1)

      School excursions (1)

      What we're doing

      Hartley Historic Site has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents.