The city of Lithgow is situated 144km’s
north-west of Sydney on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains. Its
history is linked with both the large coal deposits upon which it stands
and the extension of the railway line over the Blue Mountains in the
1860’s.
Through the ages Lithgow has played host to many
other industries including meat refrigeration, Iron, Steel, Breweries,
Copper,
Pottery, Small Arms and brickworks. Lithgow was declared a city in
1945. By that time much of the heavy industry was gone, although light
industry continued to prosper and the population peaked in the years
just after World War II.
Two of Lithgow’s best-known offspring
are Olympic sprinter, Marjorie Jackson (known as the ‘Lithgow
Flash’) and radio and television personality John ‘Roy
Slaven’ Doyle.
The Lithgow Blues Festival is held every year
in November, the National Go-Kart Championships in October and plans
are currently afoot to establish an annual festival around the time
of the Lithgow show in March.
Lithgow is a town full of the wealth
provided by Heritage Buildings, History, Nature and Family friendly
tourist attractions. Lithgow Visitors Centre is situated on the
Great Western Highway. Enquiries can be made here concerning local
attractions,
operators, accommodation, maps and brochures. There are also historic
photographs and displays of local arts and crafts.
Lithgow Heritage
Tours offer guided tours of the district.
