🔍

Hartley Vale

NSW 2790 • New South Wales

84
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
20.86 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageBushlandRuralPeaceful
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About Hartley Vale

Hartley Vale is a small historic village in the Blue Mountains area of New South Wales, nestled in the valley of the River Lett on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains approximately 12 kilometres south-east of Lithgow and 127 kilometres west of Sydney. The locality falls within the City of Lithgow local government area and covers around 21 square kilometres of rugged mountain valley terrain. With a 2021 Census population of 77, Hartley Vale is a quiet, lightly settled community steeped in colonial and industrial history.

Hartley Vale is best known for its 19th-century kerosene shale mining heritage — the shale works operated from the 1860s until around 1913, bringing a brief industrial boom to the valley and leaving behind remnants still visible today. The historic Comet Inn (1879) and Collits Inn (1823) are among the area's cherished heritage landmarks, and the scenic 8-kilometre walking track between Mount York and Hartley Vale is a favourite with bushwalkers. The nearby village of Hartley, with its historic courthouse and sandstone buildings, forms part of the Hartley Historic Site managed by NSW National Parks, making the broader valley an outstanding destination for heritage and nature tourism within the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

Hartley Vale falls under postcode 2790 and is governed by the Lithgow Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Calare, while state elections fall under the Blue Mountains electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2790
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Blue Mountains
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.31°, 150.36°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
20.86 km²
Population Density
4 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2790

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2790, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$45,778
Median 2023–24
$54,836
▲ 19.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$69,148

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2790; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lithgow Station
12 km
N/A – drive required

Bus Services

  • Lithgow Buslines local routes — Lithgow town centre Limited services; approx. 20 min by car

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
127 km
By Train
Drive to Lithgow Station (~12 km), then NSW TrainLink to Sydney Central; approx. 2 hrs total
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min–2 hr 30 min via Great Western Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min–2 hrs via Great Western Highway

🛣️ Accessible via the Great Western Highway through Hartley; Lithgow is the nearest service town and rail hub

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Hartley Vale has no shops or services within the village; a car is needed for all daily errands, with Lithgow the nearest town

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
84
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lithgow Local Government Area, which contains Hartley Vale. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
308.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
Motor vehicle theft
178.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
564.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
212.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Lithgow →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hartley Vale known for? +

Hartley Vale is known for its 19th-century kerosene shale mining history, with the shale works operating from the 1860s until around 1913. The village retains several heritage landmarks including the Comet Inn (1879) and Collits Inn (1823), and is popular with bushwalkers for its scenic 8-kilometre track between Mount York and Hartley Vale.

How far is Hartley Vale from Lithgow? +

Hartley Vale is approximately 12 kilometres south-east of Lithgow, around a 15–20 minute drive via the Great Western Highway and local valley roads.

Does Hartley Vale have public transport? +

Hartley Vale has no regular public transport services within the village. The nearest rail hub is Lithgow Station (~12 km), from which NSW TrainLink operates Blue Mountains Line services to Sydney Central in approximately 2 hours.

What is the population of Hartley Vale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hartley Vale has a population of approximately 77 residents, making it one of the smaller settled localities in the City of Lithgow area.

Is Hartley Vale a good place to live? +

Hartley Vale appeals to those drawn to historic rural settings, bushland surroundings, and the character of the Blue Mountains. While the village is very quiet with no local amenities, Lithgow is just 12 kilometres away and Sydney is reachable in under 2 hours by car or rail.

What is the postcode for Hartley Vale? +

The postcode for Hartley Vale, New South Wales is 2790.

Is Hartley Vale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hartley Vale is part of the Lithgow LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.