Hartley

Relive history 

This 1930s settlement of Hartley Historic Site features amazingly preserved sandstone buildings set amid lush orchards and pastures. The site is managed by NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, and can be explored on a self-guided tour. Visit the cells of its magnificent Greek Revival Hartley Courthouse, the gothic St Bernard’s Church and the Corneys Garage, built of timber and iron in 1945 and today home to an antiques shop.  

Corney's Garage at Hartley Historic Site, Hartley - Credit: Jennifer Leahy/DCCEEW

Next up: stop at the Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre housed in the former Farmers Inn to pick up brochures and admire contemporary Aboriginal artworks in the Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery. Then, wander up the hill to Talisman Gallery to try your hand at blacksmithing art. 

Hartley Historic Site, Hartley - Credit: Asha Constance/DCCEEW

Walking trails

Hartley village is also the jumping-off point for several easy walks through the Blue Mountains. The River Walk begins near Corneys Garage and follows the rocky slopes of the hillside as it drops towards the Lett River, passing the remains of Rowson’s Hut before returning to the village. 

Meanwhile, the scenic 8km route between Mount York and Hartley Vale is one of the state’s classic bushwalking trails. From Mount York, accessible by road from Mount Victoria, Berghofer’s Pass follows the original road from the Blue Mountains to the Western Plains, with many historic reminders along the way. 

Man reading the lookout guide, Mount York - Credit: Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centres

Little Hartley 

The hamlet of Little Hartley is increasingly known as a garden centre, with some spectacular private gardens such as Wild Meadows (a romantic naturalistic garden filled with roses, lilies and summer perennials), Gory'u Japanese Garden (a Kaiyushiki teien stroll garden) and Highfield Gardens (with views as spectacular as the flora) open seasonally. Time your visit with the Hartley Valley Garden Festival and Plant Fair in October to enjoy food stalls, metal garden art, artisan stalls and oil painting alongside your visits to the gardens.

Enjoy a leisurely long lunch of gourmet woodfired pizza at Alchemy, with its lovely deck and views over the valley. Afterwards, give the kids the ultimate sugar rush at The Lolly Bug, home to more than 1,500 sweets and confections. 

Highfield Gardens, Hartley - Credit: David Kennedy

Where to stay 

Two of the original cottages in Hartley Village, St Bernards Church and Old Trahlee, have been restored and are now available for atmospheric overnight stays. There are also several cottage and farm stays in the area, including the Woolshed Cabins in neighbouring Kanimbla Valley.  

Old Trahlee, Hartley Historic Site - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Getting there 

Hartley is a two-hour drive from Sydney on the Great Western Highway, heading towards Lithgow. It makes a great stop-off on the way to Jenolan Caves or Mayfield Garden at Oberon.