The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) developed the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area: draft plan of management and Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area: draft master plan in 2022 to inform park management and visitor infrastructure improvements.
Both documents were released for public exhibition from 6 May to 5 July 2022 to provide the community with an opportunity to have a say on park management and the delivery of the $49.5 million Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area visitor infrastructure program.
More than 1,200 responses were received for both plans, including more than 500 master plan submissions from a range of stakeholders including individuals, residents, business operators, local councils, bushwalking groups, recreational users and park visitors.
The master plan represents conservation in action, presenting a framework that provides for sustainable visitor experiences that go hand-in-hand with protecting the park’s natural and cultural values.
The plan is underpinned by the following guiding principles, providing a foundation for the planning and delivery of visitor experiences:
- environment and habitat
- heritage and scenic amenity
- visitation
- vehicular access
- 4WD access
- bushwalking experiences
- mountain biking
- camping
- services and facilities.
The master plan was finalised in April 2025, building on the insights from earlier concept development work and further investigations. The following feedback was captured in the final plan:
- feedback from the public exhibition process
- geotechnical and environmental assessments
- face-to-face community information sessions
- engagement with Aboriginal custodians
- targeted consultation with key stakeholders and interest groups
- feasibility studies and cost analysis
- site visits, surveys and investigations
- options analysis and on-ground assessments.
The final master plan is influenced by the Gardens of Stone Alliance’s Destination Pagoda (2019) and seeks to encourage sustainable tourism by creating new visitor opportunities which celebrate the environment, improve access and encourage new visitation in a way that supports the local economy.
The master plan aligns with the values, actions and management considerations outlined in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area plan of management, which was formally adopted in November 2022. Both documents should be considered concurrently for a holistic overview of park operations, planning and ongoing management.
Visitor infrastructure will be subject to rigorous environmental and heritage assessment. This includes consideration under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the NSW Heritage Act 1977 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
What is a master plan?
The plan of management is a legal document which outlines strategic, ongoing management objectives for the park.
The master plan sits within the framework provided by the draft plan of management and outlines a range of proposals for visitor management and infrastructure improvements.
What is being proposed?
In November 2021, the NSW Government announced the establishment of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, along with an unprecedented $49.5 million investment to enhance biodiversity and conservation values of the park and deliver new visitor experiences to establish Lithgow as a sustainable recreation destination.
The master plan balances conserving the park’s natural and cultural values with existing and future visitation demand by creating sustainable tourism experiences that connect people with nature.
The master plan outlines the park’s significant natural and cultural values and identifies key management strategies and planning principles, to guide the delivery of the proposed improvements.
The plan proposes a range of high-quality, immersive, nature-based visitor experiences, including:
- the Gardens of Stone Pagoda walk, a new 30-kilometre 2-night, 3-day walking track connecting Forest campground to Glow Worm Tunnel
- a number of day walks catering for visitors of all fitness levels, including the Lost City walking track, Broad Swamp loop walk, Alcatraz Canyon walking track, Temple of Doom walking track and Birds Rock forest walk
- the Wollemi great walk, a 9-night, 10-day walk with cycling connections connecting Lithgow to the Mudgee region via new and existing tracks and trails
- a new 35-kilometre network with two distinct trailheads at Lost City and Forest campground
- the Wolgan rail trail, a shared-use cycling and walking trail which incorporates heritage interpretation of the Wolgan Railway
- the Bungleboori picnic area, a key visitor hub in the heart of the park with visitor signage, car parking and accessible facilities
- a family-friendly campground, Forest campground, which serves as the main camping area with barbecues, accessible camp sites, group camping and sheltered picnic areas.
Other proposed improvements include new parking areas, wayfinding signs, interpretation and a range of supporting visitor amenities, which are sensitive to the natural environment.
Visitor infrastructure will be subject to rigorous environmental and cultural heritage assessment, prior to commencing.
The master plan provides long-term visitor experience planning for the park, to better manage existing and future visitor demand and the enhance conservation outcomes for the park.
We will continue to update the community on what is being developed as the project progresses. Register your interest to receive updates online at our Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area webpage.
The final Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area master plan is available to view and download.