Lithgow is on the Great Western Highway, about 150 km (95 mi) west of Sydney,[3] or via the old mountain route, Bells Line of Road, from Windsor.

Immediate surrounding areas include the old mining hamlet of Vale of Clwydd and Oakey Park, a famous iron and steel village, of which fiery night scenes have been depicted in many paintings, as well as large areas of bush and state forest.

Although it was superseded in 1910 by more modern engineering methods, including ten tunnels, parts of the Zig Zag have been developed into a popular tourist attraction.

[6] The town situated in the centre of a coal mining district and there is one coal-powered power station nearby.

It is the site of Australia's first commercially viable steel mill,[7] the ruins of which are open for inspection at "Blast Furnace Park".

Lithgow has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register: In addition, the following sites were listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate:[21] Lithgow was also the location of an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Queen Elizabeth II in 1970.

With over 500 parking spaces, the plaza has two anchor stores and over 30 specialty retailers including: The Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce has been providing advocacy, events and services for local retailers and the economy of Lithgow and the surrounding towns and villages since 2015.

[27] Ironfest hosts the annual St George's Day Jousting Tournament which involves contestants from all around the world.

Electronic media in Lithgow is represented by commercial radio stations 2LT and Move FM operated by Midwest Radio Network, public broadcasters ABC and SBS, and commercial networks Seven, WIN and Southern Cross 10, 7two, 7mate, 9Gem, 9Go!, 10 Bold Drama and 10 Peach Comedy.

[31] As well as being a calling point for the Bathurst Bullet, Central West Express and Outback Xplorer services to Bathurst, Dubbo and Broken Hill, it is the terminus for road coach services from Orange, Grenfell, Dubbo, Nyngan, Parkes and Coonabarabran.

Southern Shorthaul Railroad has a maintenance facility at the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway.