Hartley Village, tucked away in the Hartley Valley on the 'other side' of the Blue Mountains, is a charming 19th-century heritage site featuring a small array of sandstone buildings. It was a vital staging post for horse-drawn coaches travelling to the goldfields, before its fortunes declined when the railway bypassed it in 1877. Now, it is home to a collection of well-preserved colonial buildings.
There's enough to occupy you for a couple of hours, including some small art galleries, two short walking trails, and the restored cottages. Dogs are welcome to explore the village as well, but must be kept on a lead.
When you arrive at Hartley Historic Site and park your car, the first building you’ll likely encounter is the Postmistress Café, the former village post office — perfect for a pre-walk coffee and cake (especially on a cold winter day like today).
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| The Postmistress Cafe — officially the 8th post office in Australia |
Just a short walk away, you’ll find Hartley Courthouse, a small, striking structure built in 1837. The impressive building offers insight into colonial justice. If it is open, step inside to see the holding cells and convict graffiti.
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| Hartley Courthouse |
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| Hartley Courthouse |
Opposite the courthouse is St Bernard’s Catholic Church, one of the oldest in the region. Built in 1846, it’s a graceful sandstone building with Gothic-style windows and a hand-carved altar. The neighbouring presbytery is equally impressive — it has been converted to accommodation if you feel the need to stay a little longer.
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| St Bernard’s Catholic Church |
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| St Bernard’s Catholic Church |
For those wanting to stretch their legs, Hartley offers a couple of short nature walks. If you have time, take the Rowsons River Walk, a short out-and-back trail to Rowsons Hut. It follows the banks of the River Lett via an elevated boardwalk. The boardwalk was constructed using recycled wood-plastic composite, diverting over 18 tons of waste from landfill.
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| Corneys Garage - a restored 1940s garage |
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| The beginning Rowsons River Walk |
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| The recycled boardwalk |
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| River Lett |
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| River Lett |
The River Lett is gorgeous and home to the elusive platypus; one of the few Australian animals I haven't been fortunate enough to spot in the wild. The walk leads to a quiet corner of the original village. Tucked beside the River Lett, the remains of Rowsons Hut, now in ruins, hint at the working life of Hartley’s early settlers. Interpretive signs share what was known about them.
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| River Lett |
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| River Lett |
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| Remains at Rowsons Hut |
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| River Lett |
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| River Lett |
You can return the Hartley via the boardwalk or, via a short loop that heads over the ridge above the river. Once you make it back to the Postmistress Café, it’s worth venturing a little further to explore the surrounding landscape. The Kew-Y-Ahn / Bell Rock Walk is a 600-metre return trail leading to a striking granite outcrop with sweeping views over Hartley Valley.
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| Some wild, wintery weather |
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| Hartley |
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| St Bernard’s Catholic Church |
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| Kew-Y-Ahn |
Kew-Y-Ahn (also Bells Rock) is a cluster of granite rocks that overlook the village. Given its prominence, it is thought to have been an Aboriginal meeting place.
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| Kew-Y-Ahn |
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| Views from Kew-Y-Ahn |
Hartley and its surrounds are great for a pit-stop if you're travelling the Great Western Highway or staying longer in the Blue Mountains. It is an important because of its well-preserved state, providing a window into Australia's colonial past, especially the expansion inland from the Blue Mountains, and there's no better way to explore it than on foot.
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