Keep Lost City Wild

Foremost among the many concerns conservationists have with the management plans for the new Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is the proposed adventure theme park at the Lost City. Lithgow’s primary lookout in the new reserve is proposed to be for the view of Lost City. Conservationists believe the adventure theme park should be located closer to Lithgow at State Mine Gully, where it would ensure increased visitation to the State Mine Heritage Park and the town.

The Lost City

Visit Gardens of Stone

Road access to the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area has now been largely reconstructed from a previously ruinous state. 

You can visit the reserve by car, but its easy to get into trouble on the reserve’s myriad of access roads. The visitor facilities for this new reserve are a work in progress, with only Lost City North carpark and Lost City Walk completed. 

Pantoney's crown at sunset

Experience the natural wonders. Within reach of Lithgow, an amazing variety of ways to celebrate natural beauty and scenic awe. Many people have visited, few have been unchanged by the experience.

Pantoney's crown at sunset

Experience the natural wonders. Within reach of Lithgow, an amazing variety of ways to celebrate natural beauty and scenic awe. Many people have visited, few have been unchanged by the experience.

Lost City near Lithgow - Image H. Gold

The Gardens of Stone visitors map has been created to showcase the area and provide visitors with a guide to some of the more remarkable and accessible areas. Available for $10.

Lost City near Lithgow - Image H. Gold

The Gardens of Stone visitors map has been created to showcase the area and provide visitors with a guide to some of the more remarkable and accessible areas. Available for $10.

New Values; New Plans

Manage the Gardens of Stone so visitors are spellbound by nature

The Gardens of Stone area is more than just an iconic pagoda-studded landscape, it encompasses forested montane sand dunes, high altitude peat swamps, slot canyons, caverns, slot canyons, waterfalls, gorges and arches. It supports 1000 plant species, 33 vegetation communities, 319 vertebrate animal species, 42 threatened animals and 42 threatened plants.

Gardens of Stone Challenge - World Class Reserve or Theme Park?

Today, the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area was gazetted, with its draft Master Plan publicly released containing plans for major visitor and tourism development.

Keith Muir, former Colong Foundation for Wilderness (now Wilderness Australia) Executive Director, said:

“The Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area gazetted today must negotiate a political minefield if it is to be properly managed.

Ben Bullen - Photo H. Gold

After a 20 year campaign, new protection for the Gardens of Stone

Hut News Issue 398 December 2021

Cheers, tears and a storm of emails erupted in celebration within the Society when, on Saturday 13 November, the NSW government at last announced the creation of a new Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area (SCA).

The announcement came in a joint media release from the Premier, Dominic Perrottet, Environment Minister and Treasurer, Matt Kean and Deputy Premier and local MP, Paul Toole.

Protect the Gardens of Stone Banner

Australia's longest conservation campaign delivers

Media release 19 November 2021

Keith Muir, former Colong Foundation for Wilderness Executive Director, said:

“After what must be the longest protected area campaign in history, the Colong Foundation welcomes the new Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area of over 30,000 hectares which positions Lithgow as the gateway to the Gardens of Stone region.

Wyn Jones with microphone by David Noble

Supporters

The Gardens of Stone Alliance are a collection of conservation groups who developed the reserve proposal and Destination Pagoda - its people in nature vision . Become a supporter, please fill in the webform 
 

Picture

The Gardens of Stone

Waratahs at waratah ridgePagodasGrevillea Acanthifolia in the Newnes PlateauFlannel flower with bugs

Pagoda landscapes support a vast array of rare plant and animal life

Coxs River - Blue Mtns NP
No mine waste in the Coxs River
Protect the Coxs River from mine waste
Cabin development site 1 in pagoda landscape
Angus Place areas to be pumped out are beside EEC swamps
Angus Place areas 800 & 900 to be pumped out are beside endangered swamps
Angus Place areas to be pumped out are beside EEC swamps
Angus Place areas 800 & 900 to be pumped out are beside endangered swamps

Lithgow’s Gardens of Stone backyard is as diverse and unique as it is beautiful.

Protected in a wonderful 28,332ha State Conservation Area, its pagoda landscapes support a vast array of rare plant and animal life. The new reserve protects the core of the Gardens of Stone and more than doubles the protected area in the Gardens of Stone region.

Pagodas before Profits - a Blue Mountains Con Soc Media Release

Pagodas Over Profits: Katoomba Public Meeting Unanimously Calls for NSW Government to reject Commercial Glamping Proposals for Gardens of Stone

Wilderness Australia Slams Luxury Resorts in Rare Pagoda Landscapes
Pristine resort development site 2 is in this pagoda landscape in front of beautiful platy pagodas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wilderness Australia warned today that the Minns Government’s role in a proposed resort program will set a dangerous precedent. If approved, then no site in the NSW National Park estate will be safe from resort development.

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