Broad Swamp loop walk

Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Explore the largest swamp in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area along the family-friendly Broad Swamp loop walk. Bog bridges, creek crossings and wildlife spotting add excitement to this 6km walk near Lithgow.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
6km loop
Time suggested
1 - 2hrs
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions, first aid kit, personal locator beacon, hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, food supplies
Please note

There is no phone reception along the walk. Download Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area in the NSW National Parks app before you leave home. This will show you where you are on a map of the walk, even when you have no mobile reception.

Closures for construction will continue over the next 12-18 months, so plan ahead and check alerts before you leave home.

Broad Swamp loop walk is a fun hike for families in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Families will enjoy exploring Broad Swamp – the largest swamp in the park. It's also home to an endangered ecological community called Newnes Plateau Shrub Swamp.

This loop track is best enjoyed in a clockwise direction. From the Broad Swamp carpark, cross Western Boundary Road towards the trackhead to start your journey. This will lead you to a series of bog bridges about 1km into the walk. These low, plank-like bridges help to protect soft, sensitive areas of Broad Swamp. Listen for the musical trill of swamp robins and flame robins as you weave your way through their habitat.

After about 3km, you'll pass the turn-off for Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track. Turn right to follow the loop track that crosses Broad Swamp. There's no bridge or formal stepping stones to help you cross the shallow creek, so take it slow as it can be slippery. The creek can also get up to ankle height after rain so your feet might get wet.

On the other side of the swamp, keep right to meander through grassy woodlands with the swamp as a backdrop. Keep an eye out for red necked wallabies or echidnas among the shrubs. You might also spot a Swamp Harrier flying above hunting for prey. Finish the loop by crossing Western Boundary Road and following the track back to Broad Swamp carpark.

You can also enjoy pagoda views at Lost City lookout on your way back to Lithgow. With picnic benches overlooking an expansive view, it's well worth the 20min drive from Broad Swamp carpark.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • An aerial view of 3 hikers enjoying the view from Carne View lookout along Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Credit: John Spencer © DCCEEW

    Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track

    Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track is an adventurous walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Explore 17.5km of swamps and creeks, towering forests, gorges and pagoda formations on this one-way walk, near Lithgow.

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/walking-tracks/broad-swamp-loop-walk/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Broad Swamp loop walk.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

6km loop

Time

1 - 2hrs

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles: The track is around 900mm wide and includes natural surfaces and some sections with wooden bog bridges. The track may be slippery when wet.

Accessible options

The first 2.5km of track is relatively flat and may be suitable for visitors with restricted mobility, but the entire walk is not accessible.

Getting there and parking

Broad Swamp loop walk is in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. To get there from Lithgow, via State Mine Gully Road:

  • Follow the signposted route from the corner of Bridge Street and Main Street Lithgow.
  • From Bridge Street, turn right at Inch Street.
  • Turn left at Atkinson Street and after 750m, keep right onto State Mine Gully Road. State Mine Gully Road is a gravel road that becomes Glowworm Tunnel Road.
  • Follow Glowworm Tunnel Road for 11km to the junction of Western Boundary Road. 
  • Turn left and continue for 250m to Broad Swamp carpark.

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • Most roads suitable for 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)

Weather restrictions

  • 4WD required in wet weather

Parking

Broad Swamp carpark is at the start of the walking track. It is an informal gravel carpark.

Facilities

There are no toilets along this walk. The closet toilets are located at Lost City walking track while infrastructure works are being completed.

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

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 - no wheelchair access

A section at the start of the walk may be suitable for visitors with restricted mobility, but the entire walk is not accessible.

The first 2.5km of track is relatively flat and may be suitable for visitors with limited mobility. This includes natural track surfaces and some sections with wooden bog bridges. The width of the track is generally 900mm wide and may be slippery when wet.

Prohibited

Camp fires and solid fuel burners

Camping

Gathering firewood

Generators

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Broad Swamp loop walk is in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Aboriginal culture

Views over Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Credit: Harrison Candlin © Harrison Candlin

Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is on Wiradjuri Country. This cultural landscape has many sites and artefacts like rock art, grinding grooves, wells, rock shelters and artefact scatters. The park adjoins Maiyingu Marragu Aboriginal Place – a well known rock art site and cultural education area. This location  has great value to Wiradjuri People, who hold a deep connection with the land and a strong sense of custodianship to protect and preserve sites, plants and animals who call it home.

Unique environments

Newnes Plateau Shrub Swamp. Credit: Ian Brown / DCCEEW © Ian Brown

Perched swamps are important to the Newnes Plateau and are significant ecosystems as they feed into deep gullies, creeks and the headwaters the Wolgan, Coxs and Wollangambe rivers. The area also protects the Endangered Ecological Communities of Newnes Plateau and Shrub Swamps, Montane Peatlands and Swamps.

  • Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track is an adventurous walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Explore 17.5km of swamps and creeks, towering forests, gorges and pagoda formations on this one-way walk, near Lithgow.
  • Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.

Cultural heritage

Water trickling over a historic heritage dam surrounded by trees that once supplied water to Lithgow. Credit: Simone Cottrell © DCCEEW

Newnes and its surrounds was home to a thriving shale oil mining industry in the early 1900s. There are remarkably well-preserved remnants of the area’s mining history like dams, mine shafts and hand-carved stone steps.

  • Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.

Striking geology

An aerial shot of pagoda formations in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Credit: Simone Cottrell © DCCEEW

Geological activity has created a landscape of Triassic Narrabeen sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, gorges, caves, grand mesas, sandstone pinnacles and pagodas. These ‘platy’ pagodas have distinctive ironstone banding and are nationally significant because of their rarity. They can be as tall as 60m and are one of the many striking rock features to see in this geologically diverse park.

  • Broad Swamp loop walk Explore the largest swamp in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area along the family-friendly Broad Swamp loop walk. Bog bridges, creek crossings and wildlife spotting add excitement to this 6km walk near Lithgow.
  • Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track Broad Swamp to Birds Rock walking track is an adventurous walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Explore 17.5km of swamps and creeks, towering forests, gorges and pagoda formations on this one-way walk, near Lithgow.
  • Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.

Outdoor escapes

2 adults and 2 kids sitting at a square platform bench at Lost City Lookout, Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area near Lithgow. Credit: Simone Cottrell © DCCEEW

Enjoy a peaceful picnic, family-friendly walk or thrilling ride in spectacular natural surrounds. Existing adventure tracks are a drawcard for cyclists and 4WD enthusiasts while new visitor facilities provide improved access and a broader range of outdoor activities. 

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Bare-nosed wombat. Photo: Keith Gillett

    Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

    A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

  • Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photo: Peter Sherratt

    Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

    The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.

  • Koala. Photo: Lucy Morrell

    Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

    One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

Plants

  • Flannel flowers in Wollemi National Park. Photo: © Rosie Nicolai

    Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)

    The delicate flannel flower is so named because of the soft woolly feel of the plant. Growing in the NSW south coast region, extending to Narrabri in the Central West and up to south-east Queensland, its white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with an extra burst of colour in the spring.

  • Grass trees, Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

    An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

  • Old man banksia, Moreton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

    Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

  • A red triangle slug on the trunk of a scribbly gum tree in Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Elinor Sheargold/OEH

    Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

    Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.

  • Close up photo of a waratah flower, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/OEH.

    Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

    The beautiful waratah is not only the NSW floral emblem, it's also one of the best-known Australian native plants. This iconic Australian bush flower can be found on sandstone ridges around Sydney, in nearby mountain ranges and on the NSW South Coast. The waratah has a vibrant crimson flowerhead, measuring up to 15cm across, and blossoms in spring.

Environments in this park