Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre

Hartley Historic Site

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Overview

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.

Type
Visitor centres
Where
51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Opening times

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Closed on Mondays, Public Holidays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

What to
bring
Drinking water

Drop into Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre before you tour the village. As well as providing all the information you will need about Hartley’s buildings and history, it stocks a range of Australian souvenirs, snacks and drinks. Historical and art displays give fascinating insights into the story of Hartley – spend some time checking out the old photographs and imagining the bustle of this little village in its heyday.

Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre is itself housed in a colonial building: the Farmers Inn. Today, the building is also home to the Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery, which is a partnership between Arts OutWest and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. The gallery has been operating since 2013 and exhibits the work of Aboriginal painters, weavers, designers, jewellers and photographers from across the NSW Central West.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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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/visitor-centres/hartley-historic-site-visitor-centre/local-alerts

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

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

Maps and downloads

Visitor centre

Learn more

Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre 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)