Back to Hartley: festive family fun

Back to Hartley promises to be a fun family affair. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

By National Parks & Wildlife Service

The popular Back to Hartley Day, which attracted a huge crowd to the historic village near Lithgow two years ago will be held for the third time on Sunday, October 26, and feature a jam packed day of events, exhibitions and local tastings.

NPWS Hartley Historic Site manager Steve Ring said the day would offer something for everyone.

Visit Talisman Gallery during Back to Hartley. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

“Visitors can take a wander through the wonderful Talisman Gallery or view the work of local Aboriginal artists in the Kew-Y-Ahn Gallery, enjoy a coffee at the Old Post Office Cafe or take in the panorama of the village from its best vantage point at the Granite Tors.

“There will also be a large number of cultural and community groups exhibiting and explaining their programs to encourage greater community participation.’’

Back to Hartley will showcase a variety of arts, crafts and local produce as well as entertainment, vintage cars and a selection of fine foods and refreshments plus activities for the kids and entertainment from the Lithgow Folk Club, sheep shearing and an opportunity to try your hand at archery.

Explore a slice of colonial Australia at Back to Hartley. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

This year there will also be the Cox family reunion and the unveiling of two new interpretive panels to commemorate the Great Western Road surveyed by George Evans and constructed by William Cox.

Set among pastures, orchards and 19^th and 20^th century cottage gardens, the Hartley Historic Site village’s lovely sandstone building preserve an important piece of history, the settlement of inland Australia.

The Back to Hartley event will be held by NPWS in partnership with Hartley Advisory Committee to raise awareness of the site’s significance and heritage as well as raise funds for local charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Back to Hartley will be held at Hartley Historic Site, Old Bathurst Rd, 13km south of Lithgow, from 9am to 4pm on Sunday, October 26. Details: (02) 6355 2117.