Lithgow Zig Zag

Lithgow Zig Zag is a former railway line in the Blue Mountains featuring three stone viaducts with rounded arches that span deep valleys. The tracks follow a zigzag pattern that allowed trains to descend the steep mountainside.

Engineer John Whitton designed this system between 1863 and 1869 to solve the problem of the steep western descent without requiring extensive tunneling. The line represented an innovative approach to mountain railways during the early colonial period.

The railway demonstrates 19th-century problem-solving in steep terrain and how builders adapted to the Blue Mountains landscape. Visitors can observe the practical choices made to move goods and people across difficult geography.

The site is accessed through guided tours starting from Clarence station, where visitors learn technical details about the former railway. Wear sturdy footwear as you walk around the historic structures on uneven ground.

The line descends 168 meters through a series of reversing points where trains moved forward and backward on different tracks. This clever design solved the steepness problem without needing the powerful brakes that modern trains have.