Road trip: Sydney to Blue Mountains and Orange

Three Sisters Sydney to Blue Mountains my nrma road trips
Three Sisters Sydney to Blue Mountains my nrma road trips

Trip Summary 
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 305km

        Activities
Sightseeing – Guided tours – Food and wine – Hiking and bush walks 
 
View the route


View the itinerary
        Highlights
The Three SistersJenolan CavesAustralia's oldest settlement
Orange food and wine
           
Member benefits
NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park

These communities have been impacted by bushfire, drought and lockdown restrictions. Please check the status of roads and places you plan to visit before setting off.


For a long time, Orange's biggest claim to fame was - confusingly - its apple orchards. These days, however, this pretty country town has become a fully fledged gourmet destination, known for its cool climate wineries, chic bars and produce shops, and sophisticated restaurants.

This itinerary takes the scenic route over the stunning Blue Mountains through Mudgee and Orange to Bathurst, offering one packed day with treats for your tastebuds. Along the way there are plenty of opportunities to stop for bushwalks, visit spectacular limestone caves and, of course, savour fine food.

Hero image: James Horan, Destination NSW

  

Day 1: Sydney to Katoomba

2hr | 120km  

Stop 1: Breakfast at Wentworth Falls

From here it's about 20 minutes to Wentworth Falls, where there are a number of good choices for a breakfast and a coffee including Bakery Patisserie Schwarz, with its huge range of sandwiches and strudels, and the Conservation Hut, where you can admire the panorama of rock formations while tucking into your meal. After lunch take an easy stroll to the Princes Rock Lookout for a view across the falls described by Charles Darwin as "exceedingly well worth visiting".

Just five minutes down the road, Leura is considered by many to be the Blue Mountains' most appealing village. Take a stroll along Leura Mall, lined with boutiques, galleries and charming antique stores. 

Blue mountains
Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains (Photo credit: Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW)
Stop 2: Take in breathtaking views at Katoomba
Follow the scenic clifftop drive to Katoomba, stopping at Echo Point to drink in the magnificent view across the mountains' most famous rock formation, the Three Sisters. From here, you have a choice of adventures with the many walking tracks for all fitness levels. If you are reasonably fit, the Furber Steps Scenic Railway walking track is a good option. Expect to spend about two hours descending ever deeper into the valley, surrounded by calls of catbirds or wompa pigeons. But be sure to plan your walk wisely as you'll need to return back up the stairs. 
Katoomba Sydney to Blue Mountains my nrma road trips
Katoomba (Photo credit: Destination NSW).
Stop 3: Dine and stay at Blackheath

Don't be afraid to work up an appetite, the Blue Mountains is packed with good places for the hungry. Try Vesta in Blackheath, which serves up comfort food classics such as slow cooked lamb that falls apart on your fork. If it's on the menu, the bread and butter pudding is the perfect way to end the meal.

Stay at Echoes Boutique Hotel as it offers panoramic views from every room and is a short walk from the Three Sisters.

Day 2: Katoomba to Bathurst

3hr 15min | 200km

Stop 1: Explore the Jenolan Caves

Just over an hour's drive from Katoomba lies one of the area's most spectacular sites, the Jenolan Caves. While indigenous Australians knew about the caves, which they called Binoomea ("dark places"), the first cave was not officially discovered by European settlers until 1848 (though local legend has it that outlaw James McKeown had previously used the caves as a hideout).

Much of the cave system, which is believed to cover about 40km, remains unexplored, but a number of spectacular caves can be toured with a guide, including some that feature sound and light shows. Tickets for each cave are sold separately. Among the most popular are the Pool of Cerberus Cave and the River Cave; the latter featuring stunning stalactites, stalagmites and limestones shawls. If you prefer something more strenuous, adventure caving options are also available.

Enjoy breakfast at Chisolm’s Restaurant and Caves Café before discovering the charms of Caves House hotel and seeing some of Australia’s most iconic and rare wildlife in their natural habitat.

Stop 2: Entertain the kids and stay at Bathurst
NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park is a great base for exploring the Central West - it's less than an hours' drive from Orange. Choose from one or two bedroom cabins or a range of caravanning and camping sites. There's a pool, a giant jumping pillow, a playground, plus kitchen and barbecue facilities.

Day 3: Bathurst and Orange

1hr | 55km
 

Stop 1: Brunch in Bathurst

Australia's oldest settlement, Bathurst, with its Victorian buildings lining the town's streets has some enticing options for lunch. Enjoy excellent pizza at Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza or tuck into salads and southern barbecue at B Town BBQ at The Oxford Hotel.

After lunch, visit the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, which has the internationally renowned Somerville Collection on display, which includes not just a dazzling selection of brilliantly coloured gems and minerals but also an astonishing collection of fossils, including fossilised dinosaur eggs and opalised fossils found only in Australia. The highlight of the collection is Australia's only T. rex skeleton.

Stop 2: Quench your thirst at Orange

With full and happy tummies, it's one hour to the town of Orange, which enchants visitors with its heritage buildings and vibrant food and wine scene. If you're ready for a coffee, try Byng Street Local Store, Nimrods or The Agrestic Grocer, which also sells some of the area's best local produce.

Alternatively, you may want to head straight for one of the area's acclaimed cellar doors. Philip Shaw Wines, Ross Hill Wines and De Salis Wines are all recommended. You can also sample a range of local drops at one of Orange's inviting wine bars, such as the heritage listed Union Bank Wine Bar. For dinner, the hot picks include Lolli Redini (try their twice baked gruyere cheese souffle) and Racine. Both restaurants are deservedly popular, and have been affected by lockdown restrictions. so it's wise to call to reserve a table in advance.

Sydney to Blue Mountains Sydney to Blue Mountains my nrma road trips
Blue Mountains (Photo credit: Destination NSW)

My NRMA members save on travel, accommodation, and more

Enjoy benefits across Australia on food, stays, flights, and car hire