The historic mining and industrial city of Lithgow is located on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, about a 150km drive west of Sydney. Often overlooked in favour of the more famous towns in the mountains or the country towns to the west, there’s plenty to do with a dog in and around the city, plus some affordable campsites.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in Lithgow
When visiting Lithgow with your dog, add some or all of these dog-friendly attractions to your itinerary.
#1 Explore the Blast Furnace Park
Some of the most interesting attractions around Lithgow explore the city’s once bustling industrial past. It was in Lithgow that the first iron and steel was cast in Australia, including at the two blast furnaces located in what is now Blast Furnace Park.
Only a few reminders of the once busy industrial site still remain – the hulking shell of the engine room and the brick bases of the furnaces. The blast furnaces closed down in the late 1920s and by 1932 the site was completely closed, much of it relocated to Port Kembla near Wollongong.
These days the industrial remains are located in a public park, where leashed dogs are welcome to join you. There are plenty of signs detailing the buildings that once stood on the site, including lots of historic photos. Just keep to the paths and outside of the fenced off areas.
At night, the site comes to life thanks to Blast Furnace Lithgow Lighting. During the week there is a static display, while there is a dynamic light show on Saturday and Sunday nights. The lights remain switched on until 10:30pm during daylight saving hours (8pm in winter), after which time the gates close overnight.
#2 Stroll Around Lake Pillans
Adjacent to Blast Furnace Park is Lake Pillans. This man-made lake was constructed in 1911 to provide water for cooling at the blast furnace. It also became a popular swimming spot, partially thanks to the warm water returned to the lake from the engine houses.
These days swimming is not advised, due to contamination by heavy metals. But it has been beautifully rehabilitated into a wetlands area with reed beds surrounding the lake, along with many eucalypts and wattle bushes.
There are multiple short walking tracks surrounding the lake, which is a popular spot for walking dogs on leash. Access the lake from the Blast Furnace Park carpark or the carpark off Wetlands Lane.
#3 Visit the State Mine Heritage Park
Lithgow and the surrounding townships were once home to multiple coal mines, the reason for the establishment of a steel industry. Mining took place at the State Coal Mine, just outside of the city, from 1916 until a flood in 1965.
These days the mine is the site of the State Mine Heritage Park. Home to Australia’s most comprehensive collection of coal mining artefacts, visitors also commend the hologram displays. Entry is by a small fee, with multiple past visitors commenting that their dog was welcome to join them – double check this is still the case.
Note that museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm, so sadly I missed visiting it. The museum is a five minute drive along a sealed road (that later turns to gravel) after the Blast Furnace Park.
#4 Walk Along the Secret Lane
Many of the laneways and exteriors of buildings in Lithgow are decorated by artworks. During my recent visit to Lithgow one of my favourite spots was the Secret Lane.
This unsignposted laneway is located next to 23 Main Street and is lined with countless small tiles painted by local artists. The project was established in 2016 and is still a vibrant spot. Spend some time browsing the diverse small paintings with your dog by your side.
While walking around the city centre, see what other artworks and murals you can spot. Another one of my favourite works were the colourful bird boxes above the toilets at Rotary Park along Main Street.
#5 Take in the Views from Hassans Walls
Hassans Walls Lookout is located just to the south of Lithgow. At about 1100m above sea level, it’s the highest lookout in the Blue Mountains and offers beautiful panoramas of the Hartley Valley below.
Dogs are welcome to join you at the lookout, although of course keep your dog on a leash. The lookout is reached along an unsealed road that should be suitable for 2WD vehicles. Alternatively, it’s about a 4km walk from the turn-off at Main Street.
#6 Stop at the Hartley Historic Site
While driving to Lithgow over the Blue Mountains, just after you descend from the heights, turn off to visit the historic village of Hartley, also know as the Hartley Historic Site. Despite being looked after by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, dogs are welcome to join you at the site, located either side of the Great Western Highway.
Enjoy a walk through the village, admiring the many historic buildings, including the fine sandstone former courthouse. You can pay to take a self-guided tour of the interior of the courthouse and St Barnabas’s Church, although dogs can’t join you inside.
I also recommend walking along the Rowsons River Walk. This walk includes a delightful section of boardwalk alongside the river, which is particularly pretty in early spring when the wattle is flowering. Make sure you keep your dog on a leash.
What About the Zig Zag Railway?
The historic Zig Zag Railway is located just outside of Lithgow. Named after the zig zag section of the original railway, later bypassed by the modern railway line with multiple tunnels, there are regular heritage steam train rides on the line, mainly on weekends and during school holidays.
Unfortunately, unlike other dog-friendly historic train rides in Australia, pets generally can’t join you on the historic train rides. There are only some special days each year when dogs are allowed onboard – the first in February 2025, with a second Dogs Day Out scheduled for 8th February 2026. Leashed dogs though are allowed at the Clarence Precinct, where the trains depart from .
What About the Lost City?
The rock pagodas known as the Lost City are located close by Lithgow. Formerly in Newnes State Forest, the site is now in the newly formed Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. There have been extensive upgrades to roads within the new park, as well as two new walking trails.
Unfortunately, this site is now off-limits to four-legged visitors. All pets are prohibited in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Lithgow
Lithgow is home to two fenced off-leash dog parks. During my recent visit to the Lithgow, I visited the dog park located at the end of Montague Street. A popular park with local dog owners, the decently sized area is surrounded by a wire mesh fence and contains a water fountain, bins and picnic benches.
There is also a second fenced off-leash park located at Endeavour Park in South Bowenfell. Alternatively, head to the fenced dog parks at Lake Wallace in Wallerawang or on Williwa Street in Portland to let your dog off leash.
Dog-Friendly Dining in Lithgow
One of the best spots to head in Lithgow with your dog is The Tin Shed, a highly rated cafe at the end of Main Street While you’ll need to skip sitting in the cosy interior with a wood fire when visiting with a dog, there’s a large courtyard out the back. Part of the courtyard is undercover, with a couple of gas heaters closest to the wall.
The cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch.At lunchtime, a reduced brunch menu is available, along with burgers, pies and pasta, plus a range of wines from See Saw Wines in Orange. There’s even puppacinos on the menu.
Other pet-friendly cafes in Lithgow that are great for grabbing a coffee or a meal are The Dingo Cafe and Elliekats Cafe. Both have sheltered outdoor tables, and I spotted some water bowls at The Dingo Cafe.
A well regarded restaurant and bar in Lithgow that welcomes pets is The Blue Fox. Open from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, plus for lunch on Sundays, leashed dogs are welcome to join you in the rear courtyard. Ask whether you should take the side path through with your dog.
Pet-Friendly Camping near Lithgow
There’s quite a few options for pet-friendly camping near Lithgow, making it a popular destination for Sydneysiders looking for an affordable dog-friendly camping destination within an easy drive of the city.
The Lake Wallace Campground is at Wallerawang, a little west of Lithgow. Self-contained campervans and caravans can camp at the campsite for free, although there is a 48 hour limit. There are toilets and showers onsite, plus you can swim in the lake if it’s warm enough. Best of all, it’s next to the fenced off-leash dog park in Wallerawang.
Another pet-friendly campground is the Lake Lyell Recreation Park, a 10 minute drive to the southwest of Lithgow. The large man-made lake is a popular spot for fishing (including for trout), boating and swimming during the summer months, plus camping.
Most sites at the campground are unpowered, with just a handful of powered sites available. Advance bookings are essential for peak periods. There’s also a separate unreserved area – although during busy periods it’s best to call up and ask about availability before making the drive.
On site facilities include toilets, hot showers (for an extra fee), a covered BBQ area, boat ramp and swimming area. However, there are no water hook-ups. Dogs are welcome on all sites, except for “barkers” and need to be kept leashed. There’s plenty of spots where dogs can enjoy a paddle in the lake.
For more pet-friendly accommodation options, I recommend checking out the options in Mt Victoria covered by my Blue Mountains guide, including the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse.
Head Next To
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.