Hartley Vale Cemetery is a heritage listed site in the care of a Trust. The cemetery is approximately 300 metres from the road and pedestrian access only is available as the lane and burial ground at the end of it are guarded by three locked gates with a squeezy opening for people. A small roadside parking area at the entrance is sufficient for two vehicles.
At the entrance to the cemetery itself is an informative sign that graphically illustrates the cemetery layout and lists the basic details of all known burials. A picnic bench and seats are provided but there is no reticulated water available. Unfortunately, the site is overgrown with a spiny native sedge that inhibits access to some of the graves and care needs to be taken to avoid rabbit holes.
This long closed cemetery contains the graves of many of the district's pioneer families, the earliest inscription extant being dated 1837. There are many sandstone monuments, some of which are now somewhat difficult to read, a larger number of marble and even a few granite stones that have probably been erected in more recent times to replace earlier markers. Generally speaking, the monuments are in good order having regard to their age.
Jean and Reg McDonell visited the site in September 2007 and made digital images and took notes of every visible image. The list of inscriptions for this cemetery comprises all the inscriptions we found together with a small number of names listed on the signboard at the entrance for which no inscriptions were found. According to that information, a further 16 burials of unidentified persons have also taken place here.
In compiling the list of inscriptions, reference was made to the NSW indices of births, deaths and marriages and to early church records for additional information.
From the Great Western Highway at Little Hartley, take the Browns Gap Road east for 2.1km then leave the road and continue straight ahead on Fields Road for a further 1.6km. The cemetery access lane is on the eastern side of the road and is signposted at the gate.