The 28,322-hectare Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is located on the doorstep of Lithgow, linking the Wollemi, Blue Mountains and Gardens of Stone national parks in the Central West.
The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area was formally gazetted in May 2022 as part of a $49.5 million NSW Government investment to establish Lithgow as a world-class ecotourism destination, while conserving the exceptional natural and cultural heritage values of the region.
The investment marks one of the most significant visitor infrastructure packages in New South Wales, which will strengthen the Lithgow visitor economy while delivering important conservation outcomes for the park.
Comprising 3 former state forests, including Newnes State Forest and parts of Ben Bullen and Wolgan state forests, the establishment of the state conservation area coincides with new additions to the Gardens of Stone National Park (308 hectares) and Wollemi National Park (2,257 hectares).
These additions to the national parks estate have been a longstanding priority. They will protect more than 30,000 hectares of rich eucalypt forests, important cultural heritage, and an array of threatened species and ecological communities.
This is conservation in action – great experiences that go hand-in-hand with protecting the park's natural and cultural values.
What the project involves
The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area will feature a number of iconic visitor experiences, including a multi-day walk through unique ancient pagoda landscapes.
The Wollemi Great Walk will showcase the area's extraordinary natural and cultural values and link the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area to Wollemi National Park and beyond with camping and eco-style accommodation.
The project includes diverse recreational opportunities, including new walking tracks and lookouts, world-class mountain biking trails, new camping areas and facilities, and an all-weather 4WD and motorcycle touring circuit.
Funding and timeframe
This multimillion-dollar project is part of the NSW Government’s largest investment in national parks history.
The project will be delivered in stages, with major project works now underway.
Why we are doing this and who benefits
The NSW Government is delivering its largest investment in national parks history with more than $450 million for over 200 visitor infrastructure projects across the state.
It builds on the $17.9 billion and 74,000 jobs national parks already contribute annually to the state's economy and is supporting NSW communities to recover in the wake of droughts, bushfires, floods and the pandemic.
These exciting new ecotourism experiences are expected to establish Lithgow as a must-see destination, delivering significant economic benefits for the region.
The project will strengthen the Lithgow visitor economy with increased day trips and overnight stays, support diversification of the local economy and enhance social and community outcomes for the region. It will also support regional dispersal, delivering a range of benefits for the Central West region and beyond.
Protecting natural and cultural values
The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area protects exceptional conservation values and has been a longstanding priority for addition to the national parks estate. The area is characterised by striking geological features, including:
- the Newnes Plateau – the highest elevation sandstone plateau in the Blue Mountains, containing species such as the Wolgan snow gum (Eucalyptus gregsoniana), which is not found in the existing Blue Mountains reserves
- internationally significant geological heritage characterised by spectacular sandstone pagodas, cliffs, steep gullies, slot canyons and grassy woodlands
- at least 16 threatened ecological communities, including elevated swamps listed under both federal and state legislation, as well as box woodland and tableland grassy forest
- more than 80 rare and threatened species, including koalas, spotted-tailed quolls, regent honeyeaters and Blue Mountains water skinks
- exceptional cultural heritage with many recorded sites, including artefacts, art engravings and pigmentations, carved and scarred trees, stone arrangements and grinding grooves.
The landscape presents an awe-inspiring natural setting for people to connect with nature and enjoy the natural environment.
All visitor infrastructure improvements are subject to rigorous environmental and heritage approvals under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the NSW Heritage Act 1977 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service will also employ additional staff and invest in land management activities, such as feral animal and weed control, threatened species conservation actions, restoration of swamps, hazard reduction and bushfire management to protect the natural and cultural values of the area.
Planning for the future
Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area plan of management
Following consultation on the draft plan of management in mid-2022, the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area plan of management has been adopted.
The plan provides a framework for conserving the park's natural and cultural values, ongoing collaboration with Aboriginal communities and delivering a range of visitor experiences.
Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area visitor infrastructure master plan
The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area visitor infrastructure master plan provides a strategic framework to deliver iconic visitor experiences that respect natural values, enhance awareness and appreciation of nature, and establish Lithgow as a must-see recreational tourism destination.
The plan outlines the vision, values and principles that inform park planning and visitor management. It details critical visitor infrastructure and experiences which will secure Lithgow’s future as a tourism destination, deliver social and community benefits and support long-term environmental conservation. The plan is aligned with the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area plan of management and both documents should be considered concurrently for a holistic overview of park operations, planning and ongoing management.
The draft master plan was released for public exhibition in conjunction with the draft plan of management from 6 May to 5 July 2022. NPWS led an extensive stakeholder and community consultation program throughout the 60-day public exhibition period to build awareness and invite feedback to the draft plans. More than 1,200 responses were received for both plans.
The master plan was finalised in March 2025 following further investigations including:
- feedback from the public exhibition process
- geotechnical, cultural and environmental assessments
- face-to-face community information sessions
- engagement with Aboriginal custodians and advisors
- targeted consultation with key stakeholders and interest groups
- options analysis and on-ground assessments.
The master plan builds on the vision outlined in Destination Pagoda and the notable efforts of local advocates and conservation groups are to be acknowledged and congratulated. Their efforts were instrumental to raise awareness and elevate the profile of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area and support environmental stewardship for future generations.
Consulting with stakeholders
We recognise that community input adds value to the work we do. We will continue to engage with stakeholders and interested community members in a meaningful and timely way.
You can register for project updates below.
Working with Wiradjuri Traditional Owners
The park is an important part of the Wiradjuri cultural landscape with ongoing cultural connections and many known sites, including rock art, grinding grooves, wells, occupation deposits in rock shelters and surface scatters.
Positive and ongoing consultation with the Wiradjuri Traditional Owners aims to ensure the protection of Aboriginal cultural values and that the proposals are in keeping with Aboriginal interests and aspirations.
Those interested in the project are invited to register their interest below and receive regular updates on the project.
Visiting Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area
The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area provides a gateway to Wollemi National Park and the iconic Glow Worm Tunnel, which attracts visitors from across New South Wales each year.
More information on the Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is available on the Glow Worm Tunnel walking track webpage.
More information on visiting the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is available on the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area webpage.
Is collecting firewood permitted?
Collection of firewood for use outside of state conservation areas or national parks is not permitted. The Forestry Corporation of NSW can provide more information on areas of state forest that are available for firewood collection.
Is hunting permitted?
Hunting is not permitted in the new park, consistent with all other land reserved in the national parks estate. Hunting is currently excluded from Ben Bullen and Wolgan state forests and part of Newnes State Forest.
Hunting is permitted in several state forests within a 50-kilometre radius of Lithgow (about 70,000 hectares across 11 forests). For more information, visit the Department of Primary Industries Hunting licences webpage.
Project updates
Register your interest
To receive general park updates and project information, please register your interest.
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