Places worth discovering

Things to Do

Find attractions, experiences and places to visit. Events remain the best way to see what is happening on a particular date.

Looking for a dated event? Explore Events

549 places

Explore local places

Newnes Shale Oil Ruins — Image credit: Newnes

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Newnes Shale Oil Ruins

At the end of Wolgan Valley lies a reminder of the shale oil industry. The township, along with the shale oil mining complex, was established in 1906. The Newnes Oil Shale Mine produced low-grade oil. Set within beautiful mountain scenery, a collection of shanties, huts and buildings for the mining process were built. Today the ruins of the site are all that remains. Operational costs and the availability of lower-priced crude oil finally closed the works in 1932. The former hotel (now Newnes Kiosk) is the only reminder of a thriving community. To reach the ruins of the works, cross the river at the fjord by foot, or 4WD downstream from the hotel, and follow the well-defined path which was the original route of the railway line. This attraction is only currently available via a long walk in from the Old Coach Road on the Newnes Plateau or via the Pipeline Trail from Glen Davis. It is also available to guests staying at private accommodation in the Wolgan Valley. Please refer to the National Parks and Wildlife website for further information or contact us at the Seven Valleys Visitor Centre for more details.

Lithgow NSW

6.6 km away

Tyan Peak standing tall in the private amphitheatre — Image credit: Lyn Richardson - owner of the property

Natural Attractions

Canyon Country Camping

This natural sandstone amphitheatre is set within a 4000-acre freehold property in the heart of the widest canyon in the world, Capertee Valley. Camping with privacy, with kilometres of bush walking in the timberland surrounding the site, exploring into the Wollemi World Heritage National Park on the boundary of this location. Pets are allowed. The Tyan Peak stands close by, an ancient spiritual mountain that was where to Wiradjuri Nation would gather for ceremonies and child birthing, in this very location. The local mob visits and performs Welcome to Country ceremonies when events are hosted on the site. The location hosts various music and arts festivals throughout the year and also allows private bookings for functions and wellness retreats. Mobile service is limited; SMS only. No motor bikes, shooting or four-wheel driving permitted; the property carries cattle, sheep and horses, and they must not be disturbed by vehicular traffic, except for ingress and egress. A sound all-weather private road accesses the site across Eurella. Patrons to book in advance by phone or email to arrange access.

Upper Nile NSW

13 km away

Twister and Rocky Creek canyons

Natural Attractions

Twister and Rocky Creek canyons

Come prepared for jumps, down-climbs, slides, scrambles and swims when you do Twister and Rock Creek canyons. If tackling both canyons, plan for an 8-hour trip with a total walk in and out of 4km. Twister Canyon, also known as Sheep Dip Canyon, is the smaller of the 2. Twister Canyon descends into Rocky Creek Canyon and is the starting point if you're doing both canyons. If only doing Twister Canyon, plan for a 3-hour trip and a total walk in and out of 2km. Twister Canyon features slides into cold pools and has many jumps that can also be down-climbed. After the last jump you'll need to descend a 5m waterfall. Be sure to bring your own rope for a hand-over-hand descent of the waterfall. Don't rely on others to leave a fixed line here. Rocky Creek Canyon is long and deep. If you're only doing Rocky Creek Canyon, plan for a 5-hour trip and total walk in and out of 3km. Rocky Creek Canyon features down-climbs, scrambles and swims, including a long swim near the end of the canyon. Warm summer days are the best...

Newnes Plateau NSW

18 km away

Gardens of Stone National Park

National Parks and Reserves

Gardens of Stone National Park

To walk among the exquisite and varied rock pagoda formations, sandstone cliffs and canyons at Gardens of Stone National Park is a memorable experience. The extraordinary rock shapes, the stunning scenic views over the valleys and the mesa of Pantoneys Crown make this area of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property a must for photographers. This rugged territory is also a haven for adventurers, with excellent opportunities for canyoning, mountain-biking and serious bushwalking or hiking. There's plenty to see while enjoying a leisurely walk. Along the way, you can admire rare yellow pagoda daisies bursting from the rocks, blue tongue lizards, and wood geckos basking on the warm stone. You may even be lucky enough to spot a koala in the east of the park.. For a sense of the majesty of Gardens of Stone without the sore legs, why not take one of the wonderful driving tours? Find out more about the adjoining park, Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area.

Glen Davis NSW

18 km away

The Newnes Plateau Cliffs

Natural Attractions

The Newnes Plateau Cliffs

This is the stuff adrenalin junkies’ dreams are made of. Whether your thing is bushwalking, canyoning, rock-climbing or mountain-biking, Newnes Plateau is an adventure wonderland. While you’re here, you’ll catch breathtaking views of the meandering Wolgan River, the high mesas of Pantoneys Crown and Donkey Mountain, and the stunning rock formations that Gardens of Stone is famous for. Deep in the bush you’ll see a wonderful variety of habitats including alpine grasses and dwarf heath, and the magnificent eucalypts recognised by the area’s World Heritage listing. You’ll also enjoy a fantastic array of birdlife as well as kangaroos, wallabies, and gliders moving through the bush around you.

Newnes Plateau NSW

20 km away

Baal Bone Gap picnic area

Natural Attractions

Baal Bone Gap picnic area

If you’re four-wheel driving, head out to Baal Bone Gap for a picnic and some of the finest views in the Blue Mountains. You’ll find huge examples of the rock pagodas that make this part of the mountains unique and see stunning sandstone cliffs and extensive views. Baal Bone Gap is a popular place to begin a bushwalking exploration of the western end of the park. Enjoy a picnic and head out among the distinctive grass trees for a truly rejuvenating experience, but remember that trails are unmarked and walking in Gardens of Stone is for experienced and well-prepared bushwalkers only.

Ben Bullen NSW

21 km away

Valley of the Waters lookout

Natural Attractions

Valley of the Waters lookout

Valley of the Waters lookout in Wentworth Falls is a fabulous spot for family and friends wanting to marvel at the spectacular landscape, a walk or lunch with a view. With plenty of active options and wheelchair-accessible facilities, it's a no-fuss day trip for all to love. From the lookout you can explore waterfalls and walking tracks along the cliff line or walk down into the Jamison Valley. The area is the main access point for the popular Empress Canyon. You might catch a glimpse of a lyrebird as you take in the view to Mountain Solitary from the viewing area. If you're feeling energetic, there's the heart-pumping tracks down into the valley. However, if a leisurely stroll is more your style, walk along the cliff top to Wentworth Falls lookout for sensational waterfall views.

Wollemi NSW

23 km away

Entering the Glow Worm Tunnel on the Newnes Plateau, Lithgow — Image credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW/NPWS

Natural Attractions

Glow Worm Tunnel

The Glow Worms are located in an old rail tunnel 387 metres in length. Situated in the Wollemi National Park, close to Lithgow, the tunnel was originally constructed as part of the railway line to Newnes Kerosene Shale Works. The line was dismantled around the 1940s. The tunnel can be accessed from the Newnes Plateau (about 35 kilometres from Lithgow). Good walking shoes and a red-light torch are required for the walk through the tunnel. The glow worms found in the tunnel are the larvae of the fungus gnat. The blue glow of the larvae is the result of a chemical reaction in the body of the glowworm. The larvaes' glow lures their prey, such as mosquitoes, closer to them.

Newnes Plateau NSW

24 km away

Capertee National Park

National Parks and Reserves

Capertee National Park

For a unique wilderness holiday, head to Capertee National Park. Located west of Blue Mountains, Capertee protects a range of wildlife and plants found nowhere else on earth. Independent campers and adventurous families enjoy walking and mountain biking through this unique region while discovering both Aboriginal and European heritage. Renowned for some of the best birdwatching in the state, the protected woodlands along the fertile river flats attract regent honeyeaters, woodland birds, and birdwatching enthusiasts alike. The park is also home to native Australian wildlife like kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and gliders. Choose from a night under the stars at the campground, or enjoy the heritage charms of Capertee Homestead. Capertee National Park is also a great stopover if car touring around neighbouring Turon National Park and Gardens of Stone National Park.

Bogee NSW

25 km away

Capertee Woolshed ruins

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Capertee Woolshed ruins

When spending time in Capertee National Park, remember to visit Capertee Woolshed ruins while you’re there. On the river flat below Capertee Homestead – ‘Port Macquarie’, these ruins are one of the surviving remnants of the area’s pastoral history. Try to imagine it back then, especially during shearing time, with the dusty air filled with the sounds of men’s voices and the bleating of sheep. Pack a picnic lunch, and take your family along in the car and make a day of it, because there are plenty of other things to do in this section of Capertee, such as swimming in the river or hiking along Capertee trail. If you want to extend your visit then you also have the option to stay overnight at Capertee campground. Enjoy seeing the resident kangaroos grazing in this area. There’s also abundant birdlife in the park, so bring your binoculars along and keep them handy for a spot of birdwatching.

Bogee NSW

26 km away

Pearsons Lookout and the Capertee Valley — Image credit: Lithgow City Council

Natural Attractions

Pearsons Lookout

Pearsons Lookout, just south of the village of Capertee affords one of the best views of the majestic Capertee Valley below. There are 180° views of the Valley, with Pantoneys Crown a prominent feature. The Capertee Valley is the second largest enclosed canyon in the world and to get a birds eye view there is no better or more easily accessible place than Pearsons Lookout.

Capertee NSW

27 km away

Valley lookout

Natural Attractions

Valley lookout

There's no need to scramble over boulders or hike up cliffs to enjoy views of the Capertee Valley the world's second largest canyon. You can drive right up to Valley lookout, located inside the canyon within Capertee National Park, between Lithgow and Mudgee. Pack a picnic lunch and relax on the grassy area at the lookout, which looks south across the Capertee River Valley to Blacks Corner and Genowlan Point. Looming above from the rolling farmland and forested hills are the red sandstone cliffs and pagodas that make this area such a geological marvel. Keep your binoculars handy for birdwatching as there's no better place in the world to spot critically endangered regent honeyeaters. Painted honeyeaters, Lewin's honeyeaters and masked wood swallows are among the other birds seen here. The lookout is a 5km drive or mountain bike ride from historic Capertee Homestead and Woolshed ruins. Stay overnight at the homestead or at charming Capertee Cottage. For something a little more rustic, pitch your tent by the tranquil river at Capertee campground. It's a great base for a few days of 4WD touring, bushwalking, mountain biking and birdwatching in Capertee and nearby Wollemi, Turon...

Mount Marsden NSW

27 km away

An aerial view of 3 hikers enjoying the view from Carne View lookout along Broad Swamp to Birds Rock — Image credit: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Natural Attractions

Carne View Lookout

Carne View lookout is the jewel in the crown of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, with panoramic views overlooking Carne Creek. There's no vehicle access – you can reach the lookout along the 17.5 Kilometre Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track or from Birds Rock carpark which is a 7 Kilometre return walk along a remote fire trail. Birds Rock carpark is accessible by 4WD only.

Newnes Plateau NSW

27 km away

Turon National Park — Image credit: Photo: D.Noble

Natural Attractions

Turon National Park

Turon National Park is great for remote bushwalking and camping, trout fishing, birdwatching, swimming, mountain biking or canoeing. If you want to really feel like you’ve gotten away from it all with a remote and rugged bush camping experience, Turon National Park is a fantastic, accessible choice. Just 45 kilometres from Lithgow and 185 kilometres north of Sydney, you can explore remote bushwalking and camping in a spectacular setting that features incredibly diverse vegetation, from wide-open eucalypt forest to silver wattles and river oaks. The park has a fascinating history, both for its role in the Australian gold mining boom and its early Aboriginal occupation, which is believed to date back thousands of years. History buffs will be intrigued by the evidence of both that is still highly visible in the park. You’ll also encounter plenty of interesting birds and animals, such as powerful owls hooting away at night and red wallabies sunning themselves on the sandstone tops during the daytime before descending to the valley at dusk.

Capertee NSW

30 km away

Bicentennial Trail — Image credit: Photo: R Nicolai/NSW Government

Natural Attractions

Bicentennial Trail

Visitors to Gardens of Stone National Park can ride or bike the Crown Creek fire trail, a section of the iconic Bicentennial trail, which stretches for 5,330 kilometres along the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia, from Cooktown in Queensland to Healesville, near Melbourne. The trail allows you the total freedom of riding through this unspoilt and dramatic country as well as a sense of the pioneering spirit of the horse riders of old. Taking in the jaw-dropping views and beautiful rock pagodas on horseback or from your bike is not to be missed for wilderness adventurers. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to ride the trail, and you must be self-reliant in the bush.

Lidsdale NSW

31 km away

Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area

Natural Attractions

Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area

The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area links three national parks – Wollemi, Blue Mountains and Gardens of Stone – with stunning scenery and walking tracks. View the awe-inspiring geographical features like sandstone cliffs, deep slot canyons and dramatic gullies; take the area's mining history; or visit the Lost City, an incredible landscape of sculptural, ironstone-banded 'platy' pagodas rising up out of the dense bush.

Newnes Plateau NSW

32 km away

Wollemi National Park — Image credit: Photo: Ingo Oeland

Natural Attractions

Wollemi National Park

World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park offers a dramatic setting for scenic walks, swimming, canoeing and camping, just a couple of hours north-west of Sydney. Discover the spectacular landscapes of Wollemi National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. From scenic canyons, towering cliffs, wild rivers and serene forests, there are ample opportunities to be immersed in the beauty of the largest wilderness area in NSW. In the southeast of the park, pack a picnic and hike down to the beautiful Colo River for lunch to view one of the state’s most picturesque gorges. Set up camp by the Wolgan River and head out to explore the historic ruins at Newnes, once the site of an oil shale mining facility, or take the kids to marvel at the Glow Worm Tunnel, part of the old railway that once serviced the area. Bushwalkers and rock climbers will thrill at the hikes and climbing opportunities available in this striking, escarpment-bound valley. In the northwest of the park, Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) offers a tranquil escape with remarkable pagoda rock formations.

Kelgoola NSW

33 km away

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp

Natural Attractions

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp

Just 25 kilometres east of Rylstone and Kandos is Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, a popular camping and picnic area. Set on the banks of the Cudgegong River and nestled amongst the stunning sandstone pagoda rock formations. Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp enjoys an outstanding biodiversity of plant and animal communities with at least 107 bird species spotted in the area. A network of walking tracks surrounds the waterway, including one suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Opportunities for canoeing and swimming also make this a 'must-visit' destination. Camping fees apply. Take to the water by embarking on a guided kayak tour or by hiring a kayak or paddle board from Southern Cross Kayaking. They are based here during the warmer months from the end of Spring through to Autumn, during school holidays and long weekends.

Rylstone NSW

33 km away

Lost City North lookout

Natural Attractions

Lost City North lookout

Lost City North lookout offers some of the best views of the pagoda rock formations in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 17km from Lithgow, it’s easy to reach by car and has an accessible concrete path leading to sweeping views across the park. From here, you’ll see pagodas rising from the rolling landscape of the Newnes Plateau. These rock formations are ‘platy’ pagodas and feature distinctive horizontal layers of ironstone. Below the lookout, a forested gully carved by Marangaroo Creek winds through the landscape. On the horizon, you can see the outlines of Dark Corner Mountain and Coolamigal Mountain towards Bathurst. Accessible picnic tables and benches make this a wonderful spot to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch. As you take in the views, keep an eye out for yellow-tailed black-cockatoos, gang-gang cockatoos and crimson rosellas. In spring and summer, you may see native short-tongued bees feeding on yellow daisy goodenia flowers, which are the only flowers they collect pollen from. If you’re able to explore more of the area on foot, take the family-friendly Lost City walking track. The 6km return walk connects Lost City lookout and Lost City...

Marrangaroo NSW

34 km away

Horseride through the river! — Image credit: Turon Gates

Natural Attractions

Horse riding at Turon Gates

Turon Gates has been offering horseriding experiences to their guests for over 50 years. Experience guided scenic trail riding along the Turon River in the Blue Mountains, cross rivers and enjoy the magic of the Australian bush with the experienced Turon Gates team. Small ride groups of up to four at a time can enjoy an hour or 1.5-hour trail ride. Trail rides are available to adults under 90kg and children aged 11 years and over. For Children 10 and under, Turon Gates offers 15-minute lead-around pony rides. They have gorgeous little Shetland ponies for the very little ones and ponies for the older kids. Helmets are provided. Wearing long pants is recommended, and closed-toe shoes are required. Please make sure you book your rides in advance before your arrival. Refunds are provided if it rains and riding is not possible. Note: this is for guests of Turon Gates only.

Capertee NSW

35 km away

Energy Expo at Mt Piper

Agritourism

Energy Expo at Mt Piper

Tours of the power station are available by prior arrangement. The Energy Expo requires no booking - you'll be able to enjoy exhibits, models, displays, photographic and printed information, videos and touch screens and gain an understanding of the way NSW electricity is produced and distributed. While the tour mainly focuses on coal-fired thermal power stations, like Energy Australia's Mt Piper, you'll also get to explore information on developments in renewable energy sources. Entry to the Expo and tours are completely free, with picnic facilities, a children's playground and electric barbecues to make for a great day out for the whole family. Bookings for the tour are essential. Tours are usually held at 11am Monday to Friday.

Portland NSW

36 km away

St John the Evangelist Church

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

St John the Evangelist Church

St John's was erected by Mrs Georgina Abbott as a memorial to her parents, Mr and Mrs James Walker and her first husband, Mr Edwin Barton. It was designed by Blacket and Son, architects and built by George Donald, a large imposing church, built in a Victorian Gothic style. The church opened on 6 November 1881 as the "Wallerawang" estate private chapel. From its opening, it was used by Presbyterian and Anglican Churches and was given to both on 18 November 1952. Services are held at this beautiful little church on the first and third Sunday of the month.

Wallerawang NSW

36 km away

The Silos Portland NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

The Foundations Portland

The former Portland Cement Works is undergoing a transformation to become a cultural and tourism hub known as The Foundations. Featuring a large scale mural artwork by Guido Van Henlten, monthly markets, pop up galleries and museums. New attractions and fesivals growing in popularity every year. Event spaces are also available for rent.

Portland NSW

38 km away

RV Friendly Camping

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Lake Wallace

Nestled 10 minutes on the Bathurst side of Lithgow, Lake Wallace at Wallerawang or “Wang” as it is affectionately referred to by the locals is the perfect caravan and camping spot. Lake Wallace is designated an RV friendly campground and is the ideal location to set and camp for a couple of days. Facilities include RV dump point, toilets and showers (open 24 hours), playground, barbecue facilities and off-leash dog area, with a great accessible fishing pontoon. All greywater must be deposited in the dump point. Camping is allowed for a maximum of 48 hours in the designated areas. Wallerawang Town Centre is only a ten-minute walk or two-minute drive for a meal and extra supplies. An information bay is located at the entrance to Lake Wallace with suggestions of the multitude of things to see and do in the Lithgow destination.

Wallerawang NSW

38 km away

What is happening now?

Search dated events, markets, live music, sport and community activities.

Planning by place?

Use Things to Do for attractions and experiences that are not tied to one event date.