Lithgow, Another Great Australian Town

At one time the population of the Lithgow area exceeded 80,000. This was during World War 2, when it served as a centre for the manufacture of small arms. The population has shrunk considerably since then, although we do not want to conclude that the town has nothing to offer new residents or tourists. For a town of this size, there is, in fact, many attractions that would make life appealing in this town 2 hours west of Sydney.

The population of the lithgow local government area is approximately 21,000. The township itself serves as a good base for many natural attractions. A more comprehensive list can be found below, but to name a few, Wollemi National Park, Jenolan Caves and Deep Pass. The Wollemi Pine is now famous in Australia as an ancient and rare pine, was discovered in the national park bearing its name.

The location of Lithgow itself is appealing. Bathurst is about 60km to the west, and, as mentioned, Sydney is about 2 hours to the east. The trip to Sydney takes one over the Blue Mountains, through Katoomba, and all the natural attractions associated with these locations.

The question is, would you consider calling Lithgow your home? What is on offer for potential new residents?

As far as the climate goes, consider the summer averages. The higher altitudes (950m) help create a very pleasant summer climate without the heat extremes often associated with Australian towns. In winter it can get cold, with occasional snowfalls.

The Ironfest is one of the biggest events of the year. Promoted as being a celebration of all things metal, this festival has two major features, a jousting tournament and the biggest colonial battle re-enactment to occur in Australia. An Ironfest video has been published to promote the event.

Some of the annual and regular events revolve around the Zig Zag Railway. This railway was the original railway over the mountains, reaching town by 1869. Today it features as one of the main attractions for the town, still operating for pleasure activities.

Other places of interest in town include the Small Arms Museum, Blast Furnace Park, and State Mine Heritage Park & Museum.

Schools. The town has three pre-school kindergartens, eight primary schools and two high schools. There is an extensive Technical and Further Education campus (TAFE) in the city and Charles Sturt University is only 40 minutes away at Bathurst.

Health. There are both public and private hospitals. There are atleast three medical practices in town.

Shops. There are two major shopping centres (Main Street and Valley Complex).

Transport. The town is well serviced by trains and buses. Lithgow is part of the Sydney CityRail network, with direct services to Central Station. There is a local bus service, as well as cabs.

Sport. Many facilities are available for: golf, football, soccer, rugby union, baseball, hockey, cricket, swimming, fishing, skiing, speed boat and hydroplane racing, sailing, basketball, netball, squash, go-kart racing, pony club, trotting, grey hound racing, mountain cycling, motor cross, speedway racing, crochet, wood chopping, tennis, annual fun runs, little athletics, boxing, martial arts and gymnasiums and much more.

Can I see a town map?

Two-thirds of the local government area has been given over to national parks. Let's briefly consider some of the surrounding natural attractions.

The Jenolan Caves consist of underground mazes of limestone tunnels, subterranean rivers and natural caverns, the walls, roof and floor are draped with strange exotic mineral decorations. The walking tracks throughout the 2416 ha wildlife reserve comprise of mountain lookouts, natural archways, rivers and a vast array of flora and fauna.

Kanangra-Boyd National Park is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Vast gorges, high lookouts and wild and scenic rivers lend Kanagra-Boyd's wilderness a rugged and dramatic grandeur. Thurat Spires, Kanangra Walls and Mount Cloudmaker provide sandstone scenery on a majestic scale.

Possibly the most important aspect of Wollemi National Park is that it protects, permanently, the largest remaining forested wilderness in NSW, including the Colo-Capertee river system, used extensively with the surrounding bushland for hardy recreation activities. The Colo River and its gorge is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular in Australia. Special features of interest include the Capertee Valley, historic ruins at Newnes and the Glow Worm Tunnel.

The Wollemi Pine, a "living dinosaur" was discovered in Wollemi National Park in 1994. The tree dates back about 100 million years. The Pines survival depends upon its isolation.

To the south is Hartley, the first rural settlement west of the Blue Mountains. Time has not moved from the mid 1800's in Hartley. The courthouse saw the trials of hundreds of convicts in its early days, and now serves as a museum.

Other towns and villages located nearby include Bowenfels, Portland, Wallerawang and Rydal.

ECONOMICS

Employment. The unemployment rate is a little bit higher than the national average.

Lithgow's historic economic base has been mining, power generation and precision engineering. Of recent date, there has been an increase in population due to people commuting between Lithgow and the western suburbs of Sydney.

Locally-mined coal fuels two nearby power plants, one near Wallerawang, and the newer Mt Piper Power Station near Portland.