Hit the road and explore the mountains and valleys, the national parks and all the regional attractions that the Greater Blue Mountains has to offer.
Spanning 1,200km the Greater Blue Mountains Drive is one of the best ways to experience the incredible beauty of inland New South Wales.
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Katoomba to the Valley of the Waters picnic area
One of the most popular areas in the Greater Blue Mountains, is the 36km stretch of road from Katoomba to the Valley of the Waters picnic area in Wentworth Falls. This scenic route gives you the chance to drive around the cliff-tops packed full of lookouts, picnic areas and walking tracks.
Katoomba Falls picnic area and information centre near the start of the drive is an ideal vantage point to take in the breathtaking beauty of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary. Once you’ve enjoyed the view, don’t forget to re-energise for the rest of the drive at one of the quaint cafes along Katoomba St or grab a handmade pie for an afternoon snack at one of many local bakeries.
Jenolan and Kanangra
Take a break from the Greater Blue Mountains Drive and explore the spectacular Jenolan Caves. Driving from Katoomba to Jenolan takes just over an hour, but be sure to leave early and give yourself ample time to enjoy a guided tour of the Jenolan Caves’ spectacular calcite formations and marine fossils.
From here, the trip south to Kanangra takes around 45 minutes. It’s recommended to stay overnight in one of the many charming B&Bs in the area so you can take a full day to explore the beauty of the Kanangra-Boyd region. Boyd River camping area is the start of a short, easy walk that leads into the main lookout on the brink of Kanangra Deep. For those wanting a more adventurous expedition, longer walks go to Kalang Falls and out onto the sandstone plateau of Kanangra Tops.
Goulburn River
At the northern end of the Greater Blue Mountains Drive is Goulburn River country, combining dramatic escarpment and riverside scenery with rural countryside views. Start at either Merriwa or Sandy Hollow and take the 171-km circuit down to Bylong and back up, stopping to enjoy the views at Lees Pinch Lookout, the Bylong Valley and Coxs Gap.
Being part of the far west Upper Hunter Region, Sandy Hollow and Merriwa are also ideal destinations for wine lovers. Stop off at James Estate Wines in Sandy Hollow or Stone Hill Vineyard in Merriwa for an intimate cellar door wine tasting and a bite to eat.
Kurrajong
Located 75 kilometres north-west of Sydney, the Kurrajong circuit is ideal for 4WD adventurers as it traverses the backroads and tributaries around the edge of two patches of wilderness centred on the wild, undammed rivers of the Grose and the Colo.
Along the way you’ll find a number of lookouts and walking tracks and two national park camping/picnic areas. Stop off for some fresh local fruit at the stalls on Bells Line of Road in Bilpin and in Kurrajong Heights. It’s a good idea to allow a whole day for the drive to take full advantage of the views, walks and rest spots along the way – or even two days, stopping to camp at Burralow or Wheeny Creek.
Hawkesbury Valley
Between Windsor and Wisemans Ferry is a scenic 39-km rural drive through the Hawkesbury River country at the north-east end of the Greater Blue Mountains Drive. At just under an hour’s drive from Sydney, this is a more compact way to see some of the natural beauty that the Hawkesbury region and the Greater Blue Mountains has to provide. If you’re looking for things to do in the Hawkesbury region as you pass through, there’s plenty on offer.
You will pass through the small village of Cattai along the way, in which we recommend turning off to visit Cattai National Park and enjoy riverside scenery, historic farm buildings and extensive picnic areas.
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