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Coordinates: 33°29′S 150°09′E / 33.483°S 150.150°E / -33.483; 150.150
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{{Additional citations|date=May 2024}}
{{Short description|Town in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{other uses|Lithgow (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|Lithgow (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
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| lga = City of Lithgow
| lga = City of Lithgow
| postcode = 2790
| postcode = 2790
| pop = 21556
| pop = 20,000
| pop_year = 2021
| pop_year = 2020
| pop_footnotes = <ref name=ABSSUA/>
| pop_footnotes = <ref name=ABSSUA/>
| est = 1870s
| est = 1870s
| elevation = 950
| elevation = 950
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=BOMlithgow1>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Lithgow (Birdwood St)|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063224_All.shtml|work=Climate statistics for Australian locations|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref>
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=BOMlithgow1>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Lithgow (Birdwood St)|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063224_All.shtml|work=Climate statistics for Australian locations|publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology]]|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref>
| maxtemp = 18.2
| maxtemp = 18.2
| mintemp = 6.4
| mintemp = 6.4
Line 36: Line 38:
| dist4 = 128
| dist4 = 128
| dir4 = SE
| dir4 = SE
| location4 = [[Mudgee, New South Wales|Mudgee]]
| location4 = [[Mudgee]]}}
}}


'''Lithgow''' is a town in the [[Central Tablelands]] of [[New South Wales]], Australia and is the administrative center of the [[City of Lithgow]] local government area. It is located in a mountain valley named '''Lithgow's Valley''' by [[John Oxley]] in honour of [[William Lithgow (Auditor General of New South Wales)|William Lithgow]], the first Auditor-General of New South Wales.
'''Lithgow''' is a town in the [[Central Tablelands]] of [[New South Wales]], Australia and is the administrative centre of the [[City of Lithgow]] local government area. It is located in a mountain valley named '''Lithgow's Valley''' by [[John Oxley]] in honour of [[William Lithgow (auditor-general)|William Lithgow]].


Lithgow is on the [[Great Western Highway]], about {{convert|150|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} west of [[Sydney]],<ref>Robinson's Road Atlas of Australia, Edition 8 (Lansdowne Press) 1983, Map 204</ref> or via the old mountain route, [[Bells Line of Road]], from [[Windsor, New South Wales|Windsor]]. At June 2021 Lithgow had an estimated urban population of 21,556.<ref name=ABSSUA>{{cite web|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2008 to 2018|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=27 March 2019|access-date=25 October 2019}} Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.</ref>
Lithgow is on the [[Great Western Highway]], about {{convert|150|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} west of [[Sydney]],<ref>Robinson's Road Atlas of Australia, Edition 8 (Lansdowne Press) 1983, Map 204</ref> or via the old mountain route, [[Bells Line of Road]], from [[Windsor, New South Wales|Windsor]]. At June 2021 Lithgow had an urban population of 11,197.<ref name=ABSSUA>{{cite web|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2008 to 2018|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=27 March 2019|access-date=25 October 2019}} Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.</ref>
Lithgow is surrounded by a varied landscape characterised by seven valleys which include national parks, one of which, the [[Blue Mountains National Park]], is a World Heritage Area. The [[Wollemi National Park]] is home to the Jurassic-age tree the [[Wollemia|Wollemi Pine]], which was found growing in a remote canyon in the park.<ref name="WollPineNPWS">{{cite web|title=Wollemi National Park: Visitor Info|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Wollemi-National-Park/Visitor-Info|website=NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Visit a Park|publisher=[[NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service]]|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>
Lithgow is surrounded by a varied landscape characterised by seven valleys which include national parks, one of which, the [[Blue Mountains National Park]], is a World Heritage Area. The [[Wollemi National Park]] is home to the Jurassic-age tree the [[Wollemia|Wollemi Pine]], which was found growing in a remote canyon in the park.<ref name="WollPineNPWS">{{cite web|title=Wollemi National Park: Visitor Info|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Wollemi-National-Park/Visitor-Info|website=[[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]]|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>


==Location==
==Location==
[[File:Lithgow NSW Main Street Shops NOV2019 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|Main Street Shops in 2019]]
[[File:Lithgow NSW Main Street Shops NOV2019 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|Main Street Shops in 2019]]
The city sits on the western edge of the sandstone country of the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]] and is usually considered the first true country town west of [[Sydney]]. Immediate surrounding areas include the old mining hamlet of Vale of Clwydd and Oakey Park, a famous iron and steel village, of which fiery night scenes have been depicted in many paintings, as well as large areas of bush and state forest. The next city to the West is [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]], {{convert|60|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} away.
The city sits on the western edge of the sandstone country of the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]] and is usually considered the first true country town west of [[Sydney]]. Immediate surrounding areas include the old mining hamlet of Vale of Clwydd and Oakey Park, a famous iron and steel village, of which fiery night scenes have been depicted in many paintings, as well as large areas of bush and state forest. The next city to the west is [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]], {{convert|60|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} away.


Lithgow is in the NSW State electorate of [[Electoral district of Bathurst|Bathurst]], while federally it is part of electorate of [[Division of Calare|Calare]]. Lithgow benefits from being the western terminus for the electric section of the [[Main Western railway line, New South Wales|Main Western railway line]] from [[Sydney]], and of [[NSW TrainLink]]'s [[Blue Mountains Line]] electric services. Lithgow is home to the iconic [[Zig Zag Railway|zig-zag railway]].
Lithgow is in the NSW State electorate of [[Electoral district of Bathurst|Bathurst]], while federally it is part of electorate of [[Division of Calare|Calare]]. Lithgow is the western terminus for the electric section of the [[Main Western railway line]] from Sydney. It is home to the [[Zig Zag Railway]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Blast furnace at Lithgow, N.S.W. - very early 1900s.jpg|left|thumb|Blast Furnace at Lithgow (early C20th prior to 1928).]]
[[File:Blast furnace at Lithgow, N.S.W. - very early 1900s.jpg|left|thumb|[[Lithgow Blast Furnace]]]]
The mountainous terrain of the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]] and the expense of building long tunnels required the construction of the [[Lithgow Zig Zag]] between 1866 and 1869. The line was opened as far as [[Bowenfels railway station|Bowenfels]], just to the west, in 1869, but [[Lithgow railway station|Lithgow station]] was not opened until 1877. Although it was superseded in 1910 by more modern engineering methods, including [[Ten Tunnels Deviation|ten tunnels]], parts of the [[Zig Zag Railway|Zig Zag]] have been developed into a popular tourist attraction.<ref>{{Cite web |work=NSWrail.net |title=Main Western Line |url=http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_west |editor=Bozier, Rolfe |access-date=29 November 2006}}</ref> Following a period of industrialisation in the late 1860s and 1870s, the town of Lithgow boomed during the 1880s, and it was incorporated as a borough in 1889.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cremin|first=Aedeen|date=1989|title=The Growth of an Industrial Valley: Lithgow, New South Wales|url=http://www.ashadocs.org/aha/07/07_04_Cremin.pdf|journal=Australian Historical Archaeology|publisher=Australian Society for Historical Archaeology|location=Sydney, New South Wales|volume=7|pages=38|oclc=742063057}}</ref>
The mountainous terrain of the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]] and the expense of building long tunnels required the construction of the [[Lithgow Zig Zag]] between 1866 and 1869. The line was opened as far as [[Bowenfels railway station|Bowenfels]], just to the west, in 1869, but [[Lithgow railway station|Lithgow station]] was not opened until 1877. Although it was superseded in 1910 by more modern engineering methods, including [[Ten Tunnels Deviation|ten tunnels]], parts of the [[Zig Zag Railway|Zig Zag]] have been developed into a popular tourist attraction.<ref>{{Cite web |work=NSWrail.net |title=Main Western Line |url=http://www.nswrail.net/lines/show.php?name=NSW:main_west |editor=Bozier, Rolfe |access-date=29 November 2006}}</ref> Following a period of industrialisation in the late 1860s and 1870s, the town of Lithgow boomed during the 1880s, and it was incorporated as a borough in 1889.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cremin|first=Aedeen|date=1989|title=The Growth of an Industrial Valley: Lithgow, New South Wales|url=http://www.ashadocs.org/aha/07/07_04_Cremin.pdf|journal=Australian Historical Archaeology|publisher=[[Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology]]|location=Sydney, New South Wales|volume=7|pages=38|oclc=742063057}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


The town situated in the centre of a [[coal]] mining district and there is one coal-powered power station nearby. It is the site of [[Lithgow Blast Furnace|Australia's first commercially viable steel mill]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=An Episode in our Troubled Steel Industry |author=Grunbach, A |journal=[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]|date=September 2000 |pages=323–331 }}</ref> the ruins of which are open for inspection at "Blast Furnace Park". Due to the abundance of coal and relative proximity to [[Sydney]], in the areas surrounding Lithgow is one of the largest power stations in NSW, the [[Mount Piper Power Station]]. The [[Wallerawang Power Station]] closed in 2014 and was subsequently demolished. The (now demolished) [[Lithgow power station|Lithgow Power Station]] was operational from 1928 to 1964.
The town situated in the centre of a [[coal]] mining district and there is one coal-powered power station nearby. It is the site of [[Lithgow Blast Furnace|Australia's first commercially viable steel mill]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=An Episode in our Troubled Steel Industry |author=Grunbach, A |journal=[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]|date=September 2000 |pages=323–331 }}</ref> the ruins of which are open for inspection at "Blast Furnace Park". Due to the abundance of coal and relative proximity to [[Sydney]], in the areas surrounding Lithgow is one of the largest power stations in NSW, the [[Mount Piper Power Station]]. The [[Wallerawang Power Station]] closed in 2014 and was subsequently demolished. The [[Lithgow power station|Lithgow Power Station]] was operational from 1928 to 1964.

== Population ==
At the [https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/1019 2021 census], there were 12,385 people in Lithgow.

* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.3% of the population.
* 82.2% of people were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were England 2.2%, New Zealand 1.1%, Philippines 0.7%, India 0.6% and Scotland 0.4%.
* 86.5% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian, Thai and Mandarin, all at 0.3%, .
* The most common responses for religion were No Religion 34.2%, Catholic 20.7% and Anglican 16.4%.

{{Historical populations
|type= Australia
|1921|13275
|1933|13444
|1947|14461
|1954|15128
|1961|14229
|1966|13265
|1971|13146
|1976|12703
|1981|12793
|1986|12369
|1991|11968
|1996|11441
|2001|11023
|2006|11298
|2011|11143
|2016|11530
|2021|11197
|source=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] data.<ref name="ABS Census data">{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="ABS Census data recent">{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref>
}}


== Heritage listings ==
== Heritage listings ==
[[File:(1)St Helens Lithgow.jpg|thumb|St Helens]]
[[File:(1)St Helens Lithgow.jpg|thumb|St Helens]]
[[File:Methven, Lithgow, New South Wales - Lith0004.jpg|thumb|Methven]]
[[File:(1)Methven.jpg|thumb|Methven]]
Lithgow has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following listed on the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]]:
Lithgow has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following listed on the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]]:
* Bent Street: [[Lithgow Valley Colliery and Pottery Site]]<ref name=nswshr-78>{{cite NSW SHR|5045511|Lithgow Valley Colliery & Pottery Site|hr=00078|fn=EF14/4887; S90/7331; HC30229|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Bent Street: [[Lithgow Valley Colliery and Pottery Site]]<ref name=nswshr-78>{{cite NSW SHR|5045511|Lithgow Valley Colliery & Pottery Site|hr=00078|fn=EF14/4887; S90/7331; HC30229|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
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* Jenolan Caves Road: [[McKanes Falls Bridge]]<ref name=nswshr-1473>{{cite NSW SHR|5051377|McKanes Falls Bridge|hr=01473|fn=H00/00308|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Jenolan Caves Road: [[McKanes Falls Bridge]]<ref name=nswshr-1473>{{cite NSW SHR|5051377|McKanes Falls Bridge|hr=01473|fn=H00/00308|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main West Line 156.334&nbsp;km, James Street: [[Lithgow Underbridge]]<ref name=nswshr-1831>{{cite NSW SHR|5061199|Lithgow (James St) Underbridge|hr=01831|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main West Line 156.334&nbsp;km, James Street: [[Lithgow Underbridge]]<ref name=nswshr-1831>{{cite NSW SHR|5061199|Lithgow (James St) Underbridge|hr=01831|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main Western railway: [[Eskbank railway station, New South Wales]]<ref name=nswshr-1138>{{cite NSW SHR|5012005|Eskbank Railway Station group|hr=01138|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main Western railway: [[Eskbank railway station, New South Wales|Eskbank railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1138>{{cite NSW SHR|5012005|Eskbank Railway Station group|hr=01138|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main Western railway: [[Ten Tunnels Deviation]]<ref name=nswshr-1037>{{cite NSW SHR|5012082|Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels|hr=01037|fn=H98/00287/03; 10/18296|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Main Western railway: [[Ten Tunnels Deviation]]<ref name=nswshr-1037>{{cite NSW SHR|5012082|Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels|hr=01037|fn=H98/00287/03; 10/18296|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Railway Parade: [[Lithgow railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1833>{{cite NSW SHR|5061201|Lithgow Railway Station Group and Residence|hr=01833|fn=EF14/4886|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
* Railway Parade: [[Lithgow railway station]]<ref name=nswshr-1833>{{cite NSW SHR|5061201|Lithgow Railway Station Group and Residence|hr=01833|fn=EF14/4886|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
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* [[Lithgow Small Arms Factory]]
* [[Lithgow Small Arms Factory]]


Lithgow was also the location of an alleged assassination attempt on the life of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Queen and Prince Philip were 'victims' of Australian assassination attempt |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/4359649/Queen-and-Prince-Philip-were-victims-of-Australian-assassination-attempt.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130205124/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/4359649/Queen-and-Prince-Philip-were-victims-of-Australian-assassination-attempt.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 January 2009 |access-date=25 August 2009 |location=London |first1=Bonnie |last1=Malkin |first2=Andrew |last2=Pierce}}</ref>
Lithgow was also the location of an alleged assassination attempt on the life of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Queen and Prince Philip were 'victims' of Australian assassination attempt |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/4359649/Queen-and-Prince-Philip-were-victims-of-Australian-assassination-attempt.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130205124/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/4359649/Queen-and-Prince-Philip-were-victims-of-Australian-assassination-attempt.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2009 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=27 January 2009 |access-date=25 August 2009 |location=London |first1=Bonnie |last1=Malkin |first2=Andrew |last2=Pierce}}</ref>


==Climate==
==Climate==
Lithgow features a [[subtropical highland]] climate ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') with warm summers, cool to cold winters and generally steady precipitation year-round. Despite its location on highlands, Lithgow manages to have 90.3 clear days annually.
Lithgow features a moderate [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') with mild to warm summers, cool to cold winters and generally steady precipitation year-round. Despite its location on highlands, Lithgow manages to have 90.3 clear days annually.


Lithgow is one of the few Australian cities to see snow, although snowfall is rarely in significant quantities due to the [[rain shadow]] brought about by the ranges to the west of the city. One major event was the late season snowfall in October 2014, where 20 centimetres of snow fell.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-16/lithgow-community-cleans-up-after-storm/5818778 | title = Power still out and clean up continues day after Lithgow snow storm | last1 = Hart | first1 = Chloe | last2 = Woodburn | first2 = Joanna | date = 16 October 2014 | website = ABC News | access-date = 18 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/snow-falls-in-blackheath-in-springtime-as-sydneys-wild-weather-continues/news-story/5d030675066ae1d7013bb0b6049a8725 | title = Snow falls in Blackheath in springtime as Sydney's wild weather continues | last1 = Nageshwar | first1 = Pranesh | last2 = Paterson |first2 = Ian | date = 15 October 2014 | website = Daily Telegraph | access-date = 18 February 2016 }}</ref>
Lithgow is one of the few Australian cities to see snow, though mostly insignificant in quantity due to the winter [[rain shadow]] brought about by the ranges to the west of the city. One major event was the late-season snowfall in October 2014, where {{convert|20|cm|}} of snow fell.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-16/lithgow-community-cleans-up-after-storm/5818778 | title = Power still out and clean up continues day after Lithgow snow storm | last1 = Hart | first1 = Chloe | last2 = Woodburn | first2 = Joanna | date = 16 October 2014 | website = [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]| access-date = 18 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/snow-falls-in-blackheath-in-springtime-as-sydneys-wild-weather-continues/news-story/5d030675066ae1d7013bb0b6049a8725 | title = Snow falls in Blackheath in springtime as Sydney's wild weather continues | last1 = Nageshwar | first1 = Pranesh | last2 = Paterson |first2 = Ian | date = 15 October 2014 | website =[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]| access-date = 18 February 2016 }}</ref>


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
Line 158: Line 189:
|Nov precipitation mm = 70.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 70.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 76.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 76.1
|year precipitation mm = 858.5
|year precipitation mm = 861.8
|Jan rain days = 10.6
|Jan rain days = 10.6
|Feb rain days = 10.2
|Feb rain days = 10.2
Line 172: Line 203:
|Dec rain days = 9.8
|Dec rain days = 9.8
|year rain days = 125.7
|year rain days = 125.7
| Jan snow days =0
| Feb snow days =0
| Mar snow days =0
| Apr snow days =0.08
| May snow days =0.08
| Jun snow days =0.56
| Jul snow days =0.72
| Aug snow days =0.72
| Sep snow days =0.24
| Oct snow days =0.12
| Nov snow days =0
| Dec snow days =0
| year snow days =
|humidity colour=green
|humidity colour=green
|Jan afthumidity = 54
|Jan afthumidity = 54
Line 186: Line 230:
|Dec afthumidity = 50
|Dec afthumidity = 50
|year humidity = 58
|year humidity = 58
|source 1 = <ref name=BOMlithgow1/>
|source 1 = <ref name=BOMlithgow1>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Lithgow (Birdwood St)|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063224_All.shtml|work=Climate statistics for Australian locations|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref>
|date = November 2011}}
|date = November 2011}}


==Iron and steel industry==
==Iron and steel industry==
[[File: (1)Lithgow dusk 1989.jpg|thumb|Lithgow at dusk {{ca.}} 1989]]
[[File: (1)Lithgow dusk 1989.jpg|thumb|Lithgow at dusk {{ca.}} 1989]]
In 1848, [[iron]] [[smelting]] began in [[Mittagong]], Australia. It proved unprofitable for the remainder of the 19th century. This situation remained until the early 20th century when no [[iron ore]] was being smelted. The only iron being cast was by [[William Sandford]] in Lithgow. His works were bought by [[Charles Hoskins|G. & C. Hoskins]] in 1907, who had previously been making iron pipes in Sydney. The Lithgow works acquired a reputation for industrial disputes.
In 1848, [[iron smelting]] began in [[Mittagong]], Australia. It proved unprofitable for the remainder of the 19th century. This situation remained until the early 20th century when no [[iron ore]] was being smelted. The only iron being cast was by [[William Sandford]] in Lithgow. His works were bought by [[Charles Hoskins|G. & C. Hoskins]] in 1907, who had previously been making iron pipes in Sydney. The Lithgow works acquired a reputation for industrial disputes.


== Retail ==
== Retail ==
Lithgow's range of both small and major retailers include:
Lithgow's range of both small and major retailers include:


*[[Aldi]]
* [[Woolworths Supermarkets|Woolworths]] - [[supermarket]]
*[[Bunnings]]
* [[Aldi]] - supermarket
*[[Dimmeys]]
* [[Bunnings Warehouse]] - [[hardware store]]
* [[Harvey Norman]] - home appliance and furniture store
*[[Harvey Norman]]
*[[Woolworths Supermarkets|Woolworths]]
* [[Dimmeys]] - [[Discount store|discount]] [[department store]]


Lithgow has one major [[Shopping center|shopping centre]], Lithgow Valley Plaza. With over 500 parking spaces, the Plaza has two anchor stores and over 30 specialty retailers including:
Lithgow has one major [[Shopping center|shopping centre]], Lithgow Valley Plaza. With over 500 parking spaces, the plaza has two anchor stores and over 30 specialty retailers including:


*[[Australia Post]]
* [[Target Australia|Target]] - discount department store
* [[Coles Supermarkets|Coles]] - supermarket
*[[Coles Supermarkets|Coles]]
*[[EB Games Australia|EB Games]]
* [[Liquorland|Liqourland]] - [[liquor store]] associated with [[Coles Group]]
*[[Liquorland]]
* [[The Reject Shop]] - discount variety store
* [[Australia Post]] - national postal service
*[[Target Australia|Target]]
*[[The Reject Shop]] – discount variety store
* [[EB Games Australia|EB Games]] - video game entertainment software retailer


The Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce has been providing advocacy, events and services for local retailers and the economy of Lithgow and the surrounding towns and villages since 2015.
The Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce has been providing advocacy, events and services for local retailers and the economy of Lithgow and the surrounding towns and villages since 2015.

Lithgow offers a unique range of retail and specialised boutique stores along the main street, along with a large variety of quality cafes


==Tourist attractions==
==Tourist attractions==
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Lithgow is adjacent to a number of national parks and other attractions. Places to visit include the [[Zig Zag Railway]], Glow Worm Tunnel, [[Newnes]] in the [[Wolgan Valley]] and [[Glen Davis, New South Wales|Glen Davis]] in the [[Capertee Valley]], the second largest canyon in the world.<ref name=Lithgowinfo1>{{cite web|title=Capertee Valley |url=http://www.tourism.lithgow.com/glendavis.html |publisher=Lithgow Visitor Information Centre |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713214900/http://www.tourism.lithgow.com/glendavis.html |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}</ref>
Lithgow is adjacent to a number of national parks and other attractions. Places to visit include the [[Zig Zag Railway]], Glow Worm Tunnel, [[Newnes]] in the [[Wolgan Valley]] and [[Glen Davis, New South Wales|Glen Davis]] in the [[Capertee Valley]], the second largest canyon in the world.<ref name=Lithgowinfo1>{{cite web|title=Capertee Valley |url=http://www.tourism.lithgow.com/glendavis.html |publisher=Lithgow Visitor Information Centre |access-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713214900/http://www.tourism.lithgow.com/glendavis.html |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:Eskbank House Lithgow.jpg|thumb|Eskbank House]]
[[File:Eskbank House Lithgow.jpg|thumb|Eskbank House]]
Other attractions include the Hartley Historic Site, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, State Mine Heritage Park and the Eskbank House Museum. Lithgow is also close to [[Jenolan Caves]], which are a World Heritage Area and lie to the south of Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains/lithgow-area/lithgow|title=Lithgow|publisher=Visit NSW|access-date=11 June 2013}}</ref>
Other attractions include the Hartley Historic Site, [[Lithgow Small Arms Factory]] Museum, [[Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway]] and the Eskbank House Museum. Lithgow is also close to [[Jenolan Caves]], which are a World Heritage Area and lie to the south of Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains/lithgow-area/lithgow|title=Lithgow|publisher=Visit NSW|access-date=11 June 2013}}</ref>


The most popular tourist event in Lithgow is [[Ironfest (Lithgow)]], an annual cultural heritage event that attracts over 10,000 visitors.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/come-for-the-knight-life-20080405-gds7z1.html Come for the knight life]</ref> Ironfest hosts the annual St George's Day Jousting Tournament which involves contestants from all around the world. The festival also features a colonial battle re-enactment, called the 'Battle of Lithgow' which involves over 120 participants, kitted out in fully authentic 19th century apparel, and involving cavalry, infantry and artillery. As well as these two historical re-enactment events Ironfest includes historical & auto displays, blacksmith demonstrations, art exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, as well as live music and performances.
The most popular tourist event in Lithgow is [[Ironfest (Lithgow)|Ironfest]], an annual cultural heritage event that attracts over 10,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Come for the knight life |date=2008-04-05 |website=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925040609/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/come-for-the-knight-life-20080405-gds7z1.html |archive-date=2020-09-25 |url-status=live |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/come-for-the-knight-life-20080405-gds7z1.html}}</ref> Ironfest hosts the annual St George's Day Jousting Tournament which involves contestants from all around the world. The festival also features a colonial battle re-enactment, called the 'Battle of Lithgow' which involves over 120 participants, kitted out in fully authentic 19th century apparel, and involving cavalry, infantry and artillery. As well as these two historical re-enactment events Ironfest includes historical & auto displays, blacksmith demonstrations, art exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, as well as live music and performances.
[[File:James St bridge Lithgow.jpg|thumb|James St bridge]]
[[File:James St bridge Lithgow.jpg|thumb|James St bridge]]
[[File:SAM 0371.jpg|thumb|[[Lithgow railway station|Lithgow station]]]]
The Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club was established in 1928 <ref>[http://www.lithgow.com/historyavenue/1928_greyhounds.html 1928 Lithgow Greyhounds]</ref><ref>[https://www.greyhound-racing.net/australia/lithgow.html "Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club"]. Retrieved 4 September 2019.</ref> and its Saturday race meetings are also a popular tourist attraction. The annual feature event is the Lithgow Golden Muzzle held every December, which is sponsored by the Lithgow Workers Club.
The Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club was established in 1928 <ref>[http://www.lithgow.com/historyavenue/1928_greyhounds.html 1928 Lithgow Greyhounds]</ref><ref>[https://www.greyhound-racing.net/australia/lithgow.html "Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club"]. Retrieved 4 September 2019.</ref> and its Saturday race meetings are also a popular tourist attraction. The annual feature event is the Lithgow Golden Muzzle held every December, which is sponsored by the Lithgow Workers Club.


==Media==
==Media==
Electronic media in Lithgow is represented by commercial radio stations [[2LT (AM)|2LT]] and [[Move FM]] operated by [[Midwest Radio Network]], public broadcasters [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] and [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], and commercial networks [[Prime7]], [[WIN Television|WIN]] and [[Southern Cross 10]], [[7two]], [[7mate]], [[9Gem]], [[9Go!]], [[10 Bold]] and [[10 Peach]].
Electronic media in Lithgow is represented by commercial radio stations [[2LT (AM)|2LT]] and [[Move FM]] operated by [[Midwest Radio Network]], public broadcasters [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] and [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], and commercial networks [[Seven Network|Seven]], [[WIN Television|WIN]] and [[10 (Southern Cross Austereo)|Southern Cross 10]], [[7two]], [[7mate]], [[9Gem]], [[9Go!]], [[10 Bold]] and [[10 Peach]].


There is a free fortnightly paper - The Central West Village Voice. The ''[[Lithgow Mercury]]'' is a newspaper published weekly.
There is a free fortnightly paper – The Central West Village Voice. The ''[[Lithgow Mercury]]'' is a newspaper published weekly.


==Transport==
==Notable residents==
[[File:SAM 0371.jpg|thumb|[[Lithgow railway station]]]]
* [[Robert Bartlett (rugby league)|Robert Bartlett]] - rugby league and lawn bowls player.
Local bus services are operated by [[Lithgow Buslines]].<ref>[https://www.buslinesgroup.com.au/lithgow/timetables/ Timetables] [[Lithgow Buslines]]</ref>
* [[Andrew Brown (industrialist)|Andrew Brown]] - the first European settler of the Lithgow Valley and a prominent industrialist and philanthropist.<ref name=lithgowtourism>{{cite web |url=http://www.lithgow-tourism.com/abrown.htm |title=Andrew Brown |work=Lithgow Tourism |publisher=Auzziebiz |year=2009 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Albert Burdus]] - Australian rugby league player
* [[Edward Clancy (cardinal)|Cardinal Edward Clancy]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} (1923-2014) - the seventh [[Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Sydney|Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Australia]] (1983 to 2001) was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kerry Myers |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/a-faithful-son-of-the-church-former-sydney-archbishop-edward-clancy-dies-20140803-zzyc0.html |title=A faithful son of the church: former Sydney Archbishop Edward Clancy dies |publisher=Smh.com.au |date= 3 August 2014|access-date=3 August 2014}}</ref>
* [[Joseph Cook]] (1860-1947) - English Australian politician, resident of Lithgow and member for Hartley, and Parramatta. [[List of Prime Ministers of Australia|Sixth Prime Minister of Australia]].
* [[John Doyle (comedian)|John Doyle]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}}{{spaced ndash}}a comedian of the duo [[Roy and HG]], was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Doyle |first=John |interviewer= Gregg Borschmann |title=The Songlines Conversations |publisher=ABC Radio National |date=9 July 2006 |work=Big Ideas |access-date=18 May 2012 |url= http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2006/1681388.htm |type=transcript }}</ref>
* [[Wayde Egan]] - rugby league player for the [[Penrith Panthers]] and the [[New Zealand Warriors]].
* Ean Griffiths - rapper that goes by the name of Top Dawg and is known for his hit song 'Cripwalk on you haterz" <ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Hunt |url=https://tonedeaf.com.au/a-guide-to-aussie-hip-hops-new-wave-with-allday/ |title=A Guide to Aussie Hip-Hop |publisher=ToneDeaf |access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref>
* [[Roy Heffernan]] - Professional Wrestler, Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Kangaroos, Mr Australia was born in Lithgow 1925.
* [[Nancy Hill]] - Australian basketball player.
* [[Charles Hoskins]] - an industrialist significant in the development of the iron and steel industry, lived at the former home of William Sandford, from 1908 to 1912.
* [[Marjorie Jackson-Nelson]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC|CVO|MBE|DStJ}} - a former [[sportsperson|athlete]] and Olympic gold medalist (''"The Lithgow Flash"'') and later, [[Governor of South Australia]], was raised in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite interview|url=http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/history/Transcripts/s1119665.htm|title=GNT History|subject-link=Marjorie Jackson-Nelson|type=transcript|last=Jackson Nelson|first=Marjorie|interviewer=[[George Negus]] |work=[[George Negus Tonight]]|publisher=[[ABC1]]|date=31 May 2004|access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>
* [[Nina Eva Vida Jones]] (1882–1966) - a socialite and motor racing driver, married to John Alexander Stammers Jones (1870-1933), brewer of Lithgow.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jones-nina-eva-vida-6879/text11923 | title=Jones, Nina Eva Vida (1882–1966) | series=Australian Dictionary of Biography | volume=9 | year=1983 | publisher=Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University | author=K. A. Johnson | access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Leon Morris]] (1914-2006) - Theologian and New Testament Scholar.
* [[Laurie Oakes]] - journalist, was educated at Lithgow High School, being dux in 1961.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://journal.pasa.asn.au/apps/uploadedFiles/news/667/To-live-and-breathe-politics.pdf |title=To live and breathe politics |author=Williams, Brett |date=December 2009 |journal=Police Journal |publisher=Police Association of South Australia |pages=26–27, 47 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[David Palmer (squash player)|David Palmer]]{{spaced ndash}}a champion squash player, was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davidpalmer.com/About-Bio.htm |title=David Troy Palmer - Bio |work=David Palmer Biography |publisher=Team Palmer |year=2005 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Ben Reynolds (Australian rugby league)|Ben Reynolds]] - Australian rugby league player.
* [[Marty Roebuck]]{{spaced ndash}}a former Australian [[rugby union]] [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallabies]] [[Fullback (rugby union)|fullback]], was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marty Roebuck player profile |url=http://www.scrum.com/australia/rugby/player/11044.html |work=Scrum.com |publisher=ESPN EMEA Ltd |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
*[[William Sandford]] (1841–1932) - industrialist and pioneer of the iron and steel industry, lived at 'Eskroy Park', now part of the clubhouse of the Lithgow Golf Club, from 1890 to 1908.
* [[friendlyjordies|Jordan Shanks]]{{spaced ndash}}Australian comedian/[[YouTuber]]
* [[William John Truscott]] (1886-1966) - Footballer for the East Fremantle Football Club from 1913 to 1927.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Truscott, William John (1886–1966)|url = http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/truscott-william-john-8863|publisher = National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|location = Canberra|first = Jack|last = Lee}}</ref>


[[Lithgow railway station]] on the [[Main Western railway line]] is the terminus for [[NSW TrainLink]] [[Blue Mountains Line]] services from [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney]].<ref>[https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/intercity-trains-network/bmt/02bmt Blue Mountains Line] [[Transport for NSW]]</ref> As well as being a calling point for the ''[[Bathurst Bullet]], [[Central West Express]]'' and ''[[Outback Xplorer]]'' services to [[Bathurst railway station, New South Wales|Bathurst]], [[Dubbo railway station|Dubbo]] and [[Broken Hill railway station|Broken Hill]], it is the terminus for road coach services from [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]], [[Grenfell, New South Wales|Grenfell]], [[Dubbo]], [[Nyngan]], [[Parkes, New South Wales|Parkes]] and [[Coonabarabran]].<ref>[https://transportnsw.info/regional-western-line Western Region timetable] Transport for NSW</ref>
==See also==

{{Portal|New South Wales}}
In 1983, the [[State Rail Authority]] opened the Lithgow Locomotive Maintenance Centre at the eastern end of Lithgow.<ref>Lithgow loco depot officially opened ''[[State Wide]]'' January 1984 page 6</ref><ref>Lithgow Locomotive Depot ''[[Transit Australia|Electric Traction]]'' May 1984 page 80</ref><ref>Intelligence ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' May 1984 page 332</ref> It is today operated by [[Pacific National]]. [[Southern Shorthaul Railroad]] has a maintenance facility at the [[Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130409064901/http://stateminerailway.com.au/docs/120427relauanchLSMRL.pdf Relaunch] State Mine Railway</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130410042121/http://southernshorthaulrailroad.com.au/workshop_services Workshop Services] [[Southern Shorthaul Railroad]]</ref>
* [[Lithgow Ironfest]]

* [[Lithgow Small Arms Factory]]
==Notable residents==
* [[Jenolan Caves]]
* [[Robert Bartlett (rugby league)|Robert Bartlett]] – rugby league and lawn bowls player.
* [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)]]
* [[Andrew Brown (industrialist)|Andrew Brown]] – the first European settler of the Lithgow Valley and a prominent industrialist and philanthropist.<ref name=lithgowtourism>{{cite web |url=http://www.lithgow-tourism.com/abrown.htm |title=Andrew Brown |work=Lithgow Tourism |publisher=Auzziebiz |year=2009 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Zig Zag Railway]]
* [[Albert Burdus]] – rugby league player
* [[Edward Clancy (cardinal)|Cardinal Edward Clancy]] (1923–2014) – the seventh [[Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Sydney|Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Australia]] (1983 to 2001) was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kerry Myers |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/a-faithful-son-of-the-church-former-sydney-archbishop-edward-clancy-dies-20140803-zzyc0.html |title=A faithful son of the church: former Sydney Archbishop Edward Clancy dies |publisher=Smh.com.au |date= 3 August 2014|access-date=3 August 2014}}</ref>
* [[Joseph Cook]] (1860–1947) – English Australian politician, resident of Lithgow and member for Hartley, and Parramatta. [[List of Prime Ministers of Australia|Sixth Prime Minister of Australia]].
* [[John Doyle (comedian)|John Doyle]]{{spaced ndash}}a comedian of the duo [[Roy & HG]], was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Doyle |first=John |interviewer= Gregg Borschmann |title=The Songlines Conversations |publisher=[[Radio National]] |date=9 July 2006 |work=Big Ideas |access-date=18 May 2012 |url= http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2006/1681388.htm |type=transcript }}</ref>
* [[Wayde Egan]] – rugby league player for the [[Penrith Panthers]] and the [[New Zealand Warriors]].
* [[Roy Heffernan]] – professional Wrestler, Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Kangaroos, Mr Australia was born in Lithgow 1925.
* [[Nancy Hill (basketball)|Nancy Hill]] – basketball player.
* [[Charles Hoskins]] – industrialist significant in the development of the iron and steel industry, lived at the former home of William Sandford, from 1908 to 1912.
* [[Marjorie Jackson-Nelson]] – [[sportsperson|athlete]] and Olympic gold medalist (''"The Lithgow Flash"'') and later, [[Governor of South Australia]], was raised in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite interview|url=http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/history/Transcripts/s1119665.htm|title=GNT History|subject-link=Marjorie Jackson-Nelson|type=transcript|last=Jackson Nelson|first=Marjorie|interviewer=[[George Negus]] |work=[[George Negus Tonight]]|publisher=[[ABC1]]|date=31 May 2004|access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>
* [[Nina Eva Vida Jones]] (1882–1966) – socialite and motor racing driver, married to John Alexander Stammers Jones (1870-1933), brewer of Lithgow.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jones-nina-eva-vida-6879/text11923 | title=Jones, Nina Eva Vida (1882–1966) | series=Australian Dictionary of Biography | volume=9 | year=1983 | publisher=Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University | author=K. A. Johnson | access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Leon Morris]] (1914–2006) – Theologian and New Testament Scholar
* [[Laurie Oakes]] – journalist, was educated at Lithgow High School, being dux in 1961.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://journal.pasa.asn.au/apps/uploadedFiles/news/667/To-live-and-breathe-politics.pdf |title=To live and breathe politics |author=Williams, Brett |date=December 2009 |journal=Police Journal |publisher=Police Association of South Australia |pages=26–27, 47 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[David Palmer (squash player)|David Palmer]]{{spaced ndash}}squash player, was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davidpalmer.com/About-Bio.htm |title=David Troy Palmer - Bio |work=David Palmer Biography |publisher=Team Palmer |year=2005 |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Ben Reynolds (Australian rugby league)|Ben Reynolds]] – rugby league player.
* [[Marty Roebuck]]{{spaced ndash}}a former rugby union [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallabies]] fullback, was born in Lithgow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marty Roebuck player profile |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/player/11044.html |work=Scrum.com |publisher=ESPN EMEA Ltd |access-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref>
*[[William Sandford]] (1841–1932) – industrialist and pioneer of the iron and steel industry, lived at 'Eskroy Park', now part of the clubhouse of the Lithgow Golf Club, from 1890 to 1908.
* [[friendlyjordies|Jordan Shanks]]{{spaced ndash}}comedian and [[YouTuber]]
* [[William John Truscott]] (1886–1966) – Australian Rules footballer for the East Fremantle Football Club from 1913 to 1927.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Truscott, William John (1886–1966)|url = http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/truscott-william-john-8863|publisher = National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|location = Canberra|first = Jack|last = Lee}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:38, 24 October 2024

For other uses, see Lithgow (disambiguation).

Lithgow
New South Wales
Aerial view of Lithgow in June 2018, looking west
Lithgow is located in New South Wales
Lithgow
Lithgow
Coordinates33°29′S 150°09′E / 33.483°S 150.150°E / -33.483; 150.150
Population20,000 (2020)[1]
Established1870s
Postcode(s)2790
Elevation950 m (3,117 ft)[2]
Location
LGA(s)City of Lithgow
CountyCook
ParishLett
State electorate(s)Bathurst
Federal division(s)Calare
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
18.2 °C
65 °F		 6.4 °C
44 °F		 860.1 mm
33.9 in

Lithgow is a town in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and is the administrative centre of the City of Lithgow local government area. It is located in a mountain valley named Lithgow's Valley by John Oxley in honour of William Lithgow.

Lithgow is on the Great Western Highway, about 150 km (95 mi) west of Sydney,[3] or via the old mountain route, Bells Line of Road, from Windsor. At June 2021 Lithgow had an urban population of 11,197.[1] Lithgow is surrounded by a varied landscape characterised by seven valleys which include national parks, one of which, the Blue Mountains National Park, is a World Heritage Area. The Wollemi National Park is home to the Jurassic-age tree the Wollemi Pine, which was found growing in a remote canyon in the park.[4]

Location

[edit]
Main Street Shops in 2019

The city sits on the western edge of the sandstone country of the Blue Mountains and is usually considered the first true country town west of Sydney. Immediate surrounding areas include the old mining hamlet of Vale of Clwydd and Oakey Park, a famous iron and steel village, of which fiery night scenes have been depicted in many paintings, as well as large areas of bush and state forest. The next city to the west is Bathurst, 60 km (37 mi) away.

Lithgow is in the NSW State electorate of Bathurst, while federally it is part of electorate of Calare. Lithgow is the western terminus for the electric section of the Main Western railway line from Sydney. It is home to the Zig Zag Railway.

History

[edit]
Lithgow Blast Furnace

The mountainous terrain of the Blue Mountains and the expense of building long tunnels required the construction of the Lithgow Zig Zag between 1866 and 1869. The line was opened as far as Bowenfels, just to the west, in 1869, but Lithgow station was not opened until 1877. Although it was superseded in 1910 by more modern engineering methods, including ten tunnels, parts of the Zig Zag have been developed into a popular tourist attraction.[5] Following a period of industrialisation in the late 1860s and 1870s, the town of Lithgow boomed during the 1880s, and it was incorporated as a borough in 1889.[6]

The town situated in the centre of a coal mining district and there is one coal-powered power station nearby. It is the site of Australia's first commercially viable steel mill,[7] the ruins of which are open for inspection at "Blast Furnace Park". Due to the abundance of coal and relative proximity to Sydney, in the areas surrounding Lithgow is one of the largest power stations in NSW, the Mount Piper Power Station. The Wallerawang Power Station closed in 2014 and was subsequently demolished. The Lithgow Power Station was operational from 1928 to 1964.

Population

[edit]

At the 2021 census, there were 12,385 people in Lithgow.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.3% of the population.
  • 82.2% of people were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were England 2.2%, New Zealand 1.1%, Philippines 0.7%, India 0.6% and Scotland 0.4%.
  • 86.5% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian, Thai and Mandarin, all at 0.3%, .
  • The most common responses for religion were No Religion 34.2%, Catholic 20.7% and Anglican 16.4%.
Historical population
YearPop.±%
192113,275—    
193313,444+1.3%
194714,461+7.6%
195415,128+4.6%
196114,229−5.9%
196613,265−6.8%
197113,146−0.9%
197612,703−3.4%
198112,793+0.7%
198612,369−3.3%
199111,968−3.2%
199611,441−4.4%
200111,023−3.7%
200611,298+2.5%
201111,143−1.4%
201611,530+3.5%
202111,197−2.9%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[8][9]

Heritage listings

[edit]
St Helens
Methven

Lithgow has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register:

In addition, the following sites were listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate:[21]

  • Former Station Master's Residence (now Caddie's Restaurant), a sandstone cottage designed by John Clifton and built in 1869
  • Eskbank House, Bennett Street, built by Thomas Brown in 1842
  • Lithgow Valley Pottery Site Kiln, 1875 to 1908
  • Lithgow Court House, corner Bridge and Mort Streets, a brick building in the Arts and Crafts style
  • La Salle Cottage (formerly Cooerwull Academy), Rabaul Street, a stone building in the Victorian Gothic Revival style, built circa 1882
  • Methven, Lidsdale Road, a sandstone house built by Andrew Brown in the 1870s
  • Lithgow Small Arms Factory

Lithgow was also the location of an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Queen Elizabeth II in 1970.[22]

Climate

[edit]

Lithgow features a moderate oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) with mild to warm summers, cool to cold winters and generally steady precipitation year-round. Despite its location on highlands, Lithgow manages to have 90.3 clear days annually.

Lithgow is one of the few Australian cities to see snow, though mostly insignificant in quantity due to the winter rain shadow brought about by the ranges to the west of the city. One major event was the late-season snowfall in October 2014, where 20 centimetres (7.9 in) of snow fell.[23][24]

Climate data for Lithgow (Birdwood St, 1912–2006, rainfall to 1889); 950 m AMSL; 33.49° S, 150.15° E
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 37.8
(100.0) 		38.4
(101.1) 		35.1
(95.2) 		30.8
(87.4) 		23.9
(75.0) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.8
(67.6) 		22.5
(72.5) 		27.6
(81.7) 		33.1
(91.6) 		37.2
(99.0) 		36.8
(98.2) 		38.4
(101.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25.5
(77.9) 		24.7
(76.5) 		22.4
(72.3) 		18.4
(65.1) 		14.3
(57.7) 		11.1
(52.0) 		10.4
(50.7) 		12.0
(53.6) 		15.4
(59.7) 		18.7
(65.7) 		21.5
(70.7) 		24.5
(76.1) 		18.2
(64.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 11.9
(53.4) 		12.1
(53.8) 		10.1
(50.2) 		6.7
(44.1) 		3.9
(39.0) 		1.8
(35.2) 		0.7
(33.3) 		1.3
(34.3) 		3.4
(38.1) 		6.0
(42.8) 		8.1
(46.6) 		10.4
(50.7) 		6.4
(43.5)
Record low °C (°F) 2.8
(37.0) 		3.5
(38.3) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−8.0
(17.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 94.3
(3.71) 		83.8
(3.30) 		83.8
(3.30) 		62.7
(2.47) 		63.0
(2.48) 		67.3
(2.65) 		67.6
(2.66) 		63.4
(2.50) 		58.9
(2.32) 		67.7
(2.67) 		70.0
(2.76) 		76.1
(3.00) 		861.8
(33.93)
Average rainy days 10.6 10.2 10.6 9.1 10.4 11.7 11.7 11.1 10.2 10.3 10.0 9.8 125.7
Average snowy days 0 0 0 0.08 0.08 0.56 0.72 0.72 0.24 0.12 0 0 2.52
Average afternoon relative humidity (%) 54 58 60 59 66 67 66 56 54 51 53 50 58
Source: [2]

Iron and steel industry

[edit]
Lithgow at dusk c. 1989

In 1848, iron smelting began in Mittagong, Australia. It proved unprofitable for the remainder of the 19th century. This situation remained until the early 20th century when no iron ore was being smelted. The only iron being cast was by William Sandford in Lithgow. His works were bought by G. & C. Hoskins in 1907, who had previously been making iron pipes in Sydney. The Lithgow works acquired a reputation for industrial disputes.

Retail

[edit]

Lithgow's range of both small and major retailers include:

Lithgow has one major shopping centre, Lithgow Valley Plaza. With over 500 parking spaces, the plaza has two anchor stores and over 30 specialty retailers including:

The Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce has been providing advocacy, events and services for local retailers and the economy of Lithgow and the surrounding towns and villages since 2015.

Lithgow offers a unique range of retail and specialised boutique stores along the main street, along with a large variety of quality cafes

Tourist attractions

[edit]
Blast Furnace park

Lithgow is adjacent to a number of national parks and other attractions. Places to visit include the Zig Zag Railway, Glow Worm Tunnel, Newnes in the Wolgan Valley and Glen Davis in the Capertee Valley, the second largest canyon in the world.[25]

Eskbank House

Other attractions include the Hartley Historic Site, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway and the Eskbank House Museum. Lithgow is also close to Jenolan Caves, which are a World Heritage Area and lie to the south of Lithgow.[26]

The most popular tourist event in Lithgow is Ironfest, an annual cultural heritage event that attracts over 10,000 visitors.[27] Ironfest hosts the annual St George's Day Jousting Tournament which involves contestants from all around the world. The festival also features a colonial battle re-enactment, called the 'Battle of Lithgow' which involves over 120 participants, kitted out in fully authentic 19th century apparel, and involving cavalry, infantry and artillery. As well as these two historical re-enactment events Ironfest includes historical & auto displays, blacksmith demonstrations, art exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, as well as live music and performances.

James St bridge

The Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club was established in 1928 [28][29] and its Saturday race meetings are also a popular tourist attraction. The annual feature event is the Lithgow Golden Muzzle held every December, which is sponsored by the Lithgow Workers Club.

Media

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Electronic media in Lithgow is represented by commercial radio stations 2LT and Move FM operated by Midwest Radio Network, public broadcasters ABC and SBS, and commercial networks Seven, WIN and Southern Cross 10, 7two, 7mate, 9Gem, 9Go!, 10 Bold and 10 Peach.

There is a free fortnightly paper – The Central West Village Voice. The Lithgow Mercury is a newspaper published weekly.

Transport

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Lithgow railway station

Local bus services are operated by Lithgow Buslines.[30]

Lithgow railway station on the Main Western railway line is the terminus for NSW TrainLink Blue Mountains Line services from Sydney.[31] As well as being a calling point for the Bathurst Bullet, Central West Express and Outback Xplorer services to Bathurst, Dubbo and Broken Hill, it is the terminus for road coach services from Orange, Grenfell, Dubbo, Nyngan, Parkes and Coonabarabran.[32]

In 1983, the State Rail Authority opened the Lithgow Locomotive Maintenance Centre at the eastern end of Lithgow.[33][34][35] It is today operated by Pacific National. Southern Shorthaul Railroad has a maintenance facility at the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway.[36][37]

Notable residents

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References

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  1. ^ a b "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2008 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Climate statistics for Lithgow (Birdwood St)". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  3. ^ Robinson's Road Atlas of Australia, Edition 8 (Lansdowne Press) 1983, Map 204
  4. ^ "Wollemi National Park: Visitor Info". NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  5. ^ Bozier, Rolfe (ed.). "Main Western Line". NSWrail.net. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  6. ^ Cremin, Aedeen (1989). "The Growth of an Industrial Valley: Lithgow, New South Wales" (PDF). Australian Historical Archaeology. 7. Sydney, New South Wales: Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology: 38. OCLC 742063057.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Grunbach, A (September 2000). "An Episode in our Troubled Steel Industry". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 323–331.
  8. ^ "Statistics by Catalogue Number". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Search Census data". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Lithgow Valley Colliery & Pottery Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00078. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  11. ^ "Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00542. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  12. ^ "Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01832. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  13. ^ "Lithgow Blast Furnace". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00548. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  14. ^ "Eskbank House and Moveable Collections". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H02008. Retrieved 18 February 2020. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  15. ^ "McKanes Falls Bridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01473. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  16. ^ "Lithgow (James St) Underbridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01831. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  17. ^ "Eskbank Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01138. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  18. ^ "Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01037. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  19. ^ "Lithgow Railway Station Group and Residence". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01833. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  20. ^ "Cooerwull Railway footbridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01115. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  21. ^ The Heritage of Australia, Macmillan Company, 1981, pp.2/264-265
  22. ^ Malkin, Bonnie; Pierce, Andrew (27 January 2009). "Queen and Prince Philip were 'victims' of Australian assassination attempt". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  23. ^ Hart, Chloe; Woodburn, Joanna (16 October 2014). "Power still out and clean up continues day after Lithgow snow storm". ABC News. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  24. ^ Nageshwar, Pranesh; Paterson, Ian (15 October 2014). "Snow falls in Blackheath in springtime as Sydney's wild weather continues". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  25. ^ "Capertee Valley". Lithgow Visitor Information Centre. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  26. ^ "Lithgow". Visit NSW. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  27. ^ "Come for the knight life". Sydney Morning Herald. 5 April 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020.
  28. ^ 1928 Lithgow Greyhounds
  29. ^ "Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club". Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  30. ^ Timetables Lithgow Buslines
  31. ^ Blue Mountains Line Transport for NSW
  32. ^ Western Region timetable Transport for NSW
  33. ^ Lithgow loco depot officially opened State Wide January 1984 page 6
  34. ^ Lithgow Locomotive Depot Electric Traction May 1984 page 80
  35. ^ Intelligence Railway Gazette International May 1984 page 332
  36. ^ Relaunch State Mine Railway
  37. ^ Workshop Services Southern Shorthaul Railroad
  38. ^ "Andrew Brown". Lithgow Tourism. Auzziebiz. 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  39. ^ Kerry Myers (3 August 2014). "A faithful son of the church: former Sydney Archbishop Edward Clancy dies". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  40. ^ Doyle, John (9 July 2006). "The Songlines Conversations". Big Ideas (transcript). Interviewed by Gregg Borschmann. Radio National. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  41. ^ Jackson Nelson, Marjorie (31 May 2004). "GNT History". George Negus Tonight (transcript). Interviewed by George Negus. ABC1. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  42. ^ K. A. Johnson (1983). Jones, Nina Eva Vida (1882–1966). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 9. Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  43. ^ Williams, Brett (December 2009). "To live and breathe politics" (PDF). Police Journal. Police Association of South Australia: 26–27, 47. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  44. ^ "David Troy Palmer - Bio". David Palmer Biography. Team Palmer. 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  45. ^ "Marty Roebuck player profile". Scrum.com. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  46. ^ Lee, Jack. Truscott, William John (1886–1966). Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
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