Enjoy driving along Main Street and residential streets to see a range of heritage buildings. Stop at the shopping centres along the way.

Visit the spectacular Hassans Walls Lookout, Braceys Lookout and Blast Furnace Park.

Visit Eskbank House Museum, the Small Arms Factory Museum and the State Mine Heritage Park to gain an insight into the social, industrial and manufacturing history of Lithgow. Check for opening times.

Visit scenic Lake Wallace, Wallerawang Shopping Centre and the historic St Johns Church before exploring Portland with its recreated advertising signs and heritage shopping centre. If time permits travel to Mt Piper Power Station and visit the Energy Expo.

Travel via scenic Magpie Hollow Road to Lake Lyell. Stop for the views at the Lake Wall. Continue to Rydal, back to the Great Western Highway to Wallerawang and Lake Wallace where you can picnic, birdwatch, swim, play or walk.

Stop at Lake Wallace and Wallerawang then drive to the Wolgan Gap Lookout before dropping into the valley. Its a spectacular drive along the valley floor to Newnes. Enjoy bushwalks, paddling in the Wolgan River or walk around the old mining ruins (allow 2 hours, moderate). 16 km unsealed road (return).

Explore the Hartley Historic Site, visit the tea rooms and galleries in Hartley Village, drive along Coxs River Road or Jenolan Caves Road to Hampton. The Rydal/Hampton Road will take you to Rydal.Back track 5kms and travel to Sodwells and Tarana. Stop at Evans Crown Nature Reserve for a 3km return walk (moderate) to the top of the tors. Visit Tarana before heading over to Meadow Flat and back to Lithgow.

Head along the Newnes Plateau through native and pine forests to the Wollemi National Park. A 2km return walk (moderate) will take you to the Glow Worm Tunnel. Take a torch. 70km unsealed road (return).

Visit Pearsons Lookout for an expansive view over the widest enclosed canyon in the world. Stop at the village of Capertee for refreshments. Visit Glen Davis, Glen Alice, Dunville Loop and then Rylstone and Kandos before heading back to Lithgow via Ilford. Scenic rural landscapes, towering escarpments. 30km of unsealed roads (approximate).

If you are into heritage, spend a day or two following the Furnace, Fire and Forge trail around the Lithgow area.

The Lithgow area provides some of the most rewarding birding experiences in Australia. From Hampton in the south to Capertee Valley in the north, you can find many different bird species including raptors soaring overhead, water birds on farm dams, in streams and on lakes and tiny birds in shrubs and bushes.

Visit the Lithgow sewage ponds, notable for the rare Blue-billed Duck as well as Lake Wallace where over 110 species have been recorded, particularly water-loving birds. Look for the unusual Musk Duck and Great-crested Grebe.

Officially designated as an internationally Important Bird Area, a remarkable 236 species of birds have been recorded in the Capertee Valley. The altitude and soil types result in a diversity of plant species which attract different bird communities – the makings for a truly remarkable birdwatching experience.

Wildflowers can be found all year round in the Lithgow area. Hassans Walls Reserve, Newnes Plateau, national parkss and just by the side of the road are all good places. Take your time to explore.

Kangaroos and wallabies can often be seen in paddocks in rural areas. Keep your eye out for them and also for wombats, any time of day, but particularly early morning and late afternoon. A wide variety of cattle, sheep, alpacas, goats and horses can also be seen grazing.