Your Ultimate Blue Mountains Road Trip

The best road trips are the ones that you never want to end. The ones that provide immaculate views the whole way, towns that are full of quirky surprises, and unique experiences.

If that’s everything that ticks the boxes for your road trip, then the Blue Mountains are the place for you.

Experience the Blue Mountains from Sydney in this ultimate road trip itinerary. Explore the road slightly less travelled with these quirky small towns and beautiful views.

Must-visits on the Blue Mountains road trip:

• Katoomba
• Echo Point and the Three Sisters
• Scenic World
• Govetts Leap and Blackheath
• Bilpin
• Leura
• Hanging Rock
• Wentworth Falls

Start your journey from Sydney to Glenbrook

Your adventure in the Blue Mountains starts in Sydney!

Sydney is the ultimate spot to start your adventure, because you’ll have plenty of opportunities to fill up your engine and get supplies for the big day.

Then, head west from Sydney and get to the town of Glenbrook for your first stop. Nestled right on the edge of the national park, you’ll find some pretty nature spots to explore.

Fancy a swim to start the day? Head for a dip in the Jellybean Pool. It’s a natural swimming hole gorge, surrounded by thickets of bushland. Grab a coffee from the local café in Glenbrook.

The Greater Blue Mountains Scenic Drive

This tourist drive is an interconnected network of routes that all link together the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The views are immaculate, and there are plenty of stop-off points for you to snap the view and take it all in.

The roads wind around the mountains, offering a journey packed full of adventure.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a historic town that is a cultural hub known for its unique art deco buildings and pretty shops. With heaps of cute cafes and plenty of places to stop off for a bite, you’ll be able to find yourself.

The viewing platform allows for some stunning views of the Three Sisters at Echo Point. This is where you’ll find a viewing platform that allows for some insanely pretty views across the whole rock formation. The views are nothing short of stunning, no matter what time of the day you’re catching them.

Scenic World

Scenic World is another must-visit and certainly dominates the Blue Mountains in terms of its views. In Katoomba, you’ll also find Scenic World, a must-visit (especially for first-time travellers).

Take a ride on the world’s steepest passenger railway, glide across canyons on the scenic skyway, or descend into the lush rainforest on the cableway.

Govetts Leap and Blackheath

Keep carrying on west and get to Blackheath. It’s a charming village that’s a little less commercial to Katoomba, offering a slightly more authentic Aussie country town vibe. Don’t worry, though – the views are just as incredible!

Govetts Leap Lookout is also not to be missed, offering one of the most dramatic views of the Grose Valley.

Take in the views and enjoy the feeling of being consumed by the immense scale of the canyon as waterfalls cascade from the sandstone cliffs onto the green valley floor.

Bilpin

Carry on to Bilpin, which is a rural town that’s called by locals as the Land of the Mountain Apple due to its abundance of apples, pears and stone fruits (depending on the season).

Bilpin is home to some local cider factories, which produce some handcrafted crisp ciders using fresh apples from the orchards.

Hidden Gems

The Blue Mountains are peppered with hidden gems for those willing to stray a little from the main roads. One such spot is Hanging Rock, a striking sandstone overhang that juts out into the Grose Valley. It’s a moderate hike from Baltzer Lookout, but the view is one of the most memorable in the region, and not nearly as crowded as the more famous lookouts.

Bilpin

On your way back or as a detour, consider heading north toward Bilpin, a rural town affectionately dubbed the “Land of the Mountain Apple.” Here, local orchards invite visitors to pick their apples, pears, or stone fruits depending on the season. It’s also home to several boutique cideries, where you can sample handcrafted apple ciders made right from the orchard.

Bilpin’s rural charm and slower pace provide the perfect contrast to the rugged cliffs and dramatic vistas of the central Blue Mountains.

Many travellers make this their lunch stop, and for good reason. The farm-to-table style of eating is unbeatable.

Hanging Rock

Don’t forget to check out Hanging Rock! It’s a hidden gem that strays away slightly from the main road, but the detour is 100% worth it.

With a striking sandstone lookout that hangs over the Grose Valley, you’ll find an easy-moderate hike that’s categorically one of the best and memorable in the region. It’s not as well-known either, so you’ll be able to catch it without the crowds.

Leura

Make a stop to check out Leura, too! Leura is a small town to the east of Katoomba, known for its lush gardens, antique shops and a relaxed village vibe.

And if you’re looking for a waterfall to explore, check out Wentworth Falls for cascading shelves of water and forest hikes through the lush greenery.

A road trip to remember

Cold, misty mornings and warm, golden sunsets. With each bend in the road, you’ll encounter a new scene worthy of a postcard.

Roll down the windows, pack your walking shoes, and take your time on this unforgettable road trip.