Wander the Pagodas

Explore the rugged "Lost City" and the fascinating industrial history of the Newnes Plateau. This 6km guided hike takes you through ancient sandstone pagodas and past heritage relics from the region's 1920s mining era. It’s for those who love a mix of striking geology, local history and relaxed social connection.

📍 Meeting Point: The Lost City Car Park (Shuttle available from Gordon, Blackheath or Lithgow)

 📅 Date: Every Friday (May to October)

🕘 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm

📏 Distance/Difficulty: Approx. 6km return | Moderate fitness recommended

👣 Group Size: 2 – 6 participants (plus your guide, Kirsty)

✨ Highlights

• Industrial Relics: See the heritage-listed dams and remnants of the 1920s mining infrastructure that once supplied water to Lithgow.

• The Lost City: Get up close to the iconic "platy" pagodas - sandstone towers with unique ironstone banding.

• Photography with Purpose: Kirsty will show you how to capture the textures of rusted relics and ancient stone using just your smartphone.

• Historical Context: Learn about the area's transition from a thriving shale oil and coal hub to one of NSW's newest State Conservation Areas.
  

📖 Description

The Journey This tour heads deep into the Newnes Plateau to explore the "Lost City," a landscape that feels like a decaying ancient civilisation. Beyond the spectacular views, we’ll trace the history of the Central West’s industrial past. Your guide, Kirsty, will share stories of the region's shale oil and coal heritage, explaining how this rugged wilderness was once a hive of industry.

The Stops We’ll navigate the pagoda formations and stop at the heritage dams built over a century ago. These spots are perfect for practicing photography - contrasting the hard lines of man-made ruins with the soft textures of the surrounding bush. We’ll pause for a mid-hike morning tea near the rock formations and enjoy a fresh, locally sourced picnic lunch in a quiet spot overlooking the valley.

🚗 Getting There

By Car: We meet at The Lost City Car Park at 10:30am. Please note that the final stretch of the drive involves unsealed roads; 2WD access is ok in dry weather but a 4WD or AWD is required for this section in wet weather.

By Train & Shuttle:  If you prefer not to drive, we offer a return shuttle service from:

• Gordon Station: Departing at 7.30am

• Blackheath Station: Departing at 9:15am

• Lithgow Station: Departing at 10:00am

  Please specify your pickup point at the time of booking.
  

✅ Inclusions

• Guided 6km hike led by Kirsty, our experienced and First Aid–certified outdoor guide.

• Return shuttle transfers (if you choose) from Blackheath or Lithgow Stations to The Lost City and back.

• Morning tea & coffee provided.

• Freshly made picnic lunch, catering to all dietary requirements.

• Creative smartphone photography tips for capturing nature and landscapes.

• Fully licensed and insured to operate in National Parks (Parks Eco Pass).

  
  

🚫 Exclusions

• Personal Gear: Items like hiking poles, specific clothing, or power banks.

• Additional Snacks: Any extra food or beverages beyond the provided morning tea and lunch.

• Travel Insurance: Recommended but not included.
  

👋 Meet Your Guide

Kirsty is an experienced and knowledgeable outdoor guide with a creative background in design and photography. She launched Seek Sista to create a welcoming space for women to slow down, connect and enjoy the outdoors at a gentler pace. She loves showing women how to capture textures, colours and great compositions using just their phone - no fancy gear needed!

ℹ️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION

🎒 What to Bring

• Hydration: 1.5–2L of water

• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes with good grip

• Support: Hiking poles (recommended)

• Protection: Light clothing layers, hat and sunscreen

• Essentials: A small daypack and a personal mug for coffee or tea

• Tech: Smartphone for photos and portable power bank
  

📑 Minimum Group Size & Cancellation Policy

• Minimum group: The event will proceed with a minimum of 2 participants. If the minimum is not met, Seek Sista will contact you at least 48 hours before the event to offer a full refund or transfer to another date.

• Full refund: Cancellations made 7 days or more before the event.

• 50% refund: Cancellations made 3–6 days before the event.

• No refund: Cancellations made less than 3 days before the event or no-shows.

• Event postponement: If the event is cancelled by Seek Sista due to weather, track conditions, or safety concerns, participants will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a new date.

  
  

  All cancellations must be communicated via email to kirsty@seeksista.com.au.
  

✍️ Waiver & Pre-Trip Details

Once booked, you will receive a follow-up email containing a link to our digital waiver form. Please ensure this is completed prior to the day of the event. You’ll also receive an invitation to our event WhatsApp group for final coordination and real-time updates.