Scented with eucalyptus and home to koalas and yellow-bellied gliders, the Blue Mountains provide an exciting destination for those in search of road trip adventures. The mountains are accessible on a day trip from Sydney, but it’s worth planning to spend more time to enjoy the scenic motorways, quaint villages, and rugged off-roading trails that this region provides.
Can’t Miss Sights
One of the Blue Mountains’ top attractions is the rock formation known as the Three Sisters, jutting majestically above the Jamison Valley. The Valley of the Waters Walk offers dramatic scenery, passing by a number of cascading waterfalls with a refreshing mist along the way. Another can’t miss natural feature in these mountains is the Jenolan Caves, dating back 340 million years. You can beat the summer heat with a trip down under the ground to explore these open caves, with their rock formations and mysterious pools. In addition to the natural splendours of the Blue Mountains, its local villages are also well worth visiting. You can park your car and get around on the Red Trolley Tour Bus; or drive from town to town at your leisure. Top stops include Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, and Mount Wilson.
Getting There
Driving is the easiest way to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, with the main entrance at Glenbrook/Lapstone located less than an hour from the city centre. Long term visitors may want to compare options on local sites like carsales.com.au to find a suitable vehicle for the journey. When you’re ready to depart, you can follow the signs to Parramatta and take the M4 motorway to Lapstone. However, you can also take the scenic route along Bell’s Line of Road. This back road passes through the park, starting at Richmond and heading directly to Mount Victoria via Victoria Pass.
Main Tours
Once you have reached the Blue Mountains, there are a number of routes to take depending on the length of time you have. The Blackheath Lookouts route is a popular day trip, offering views of the valleys, waterfalls, and mountains. You’ll pass through the Wind Eroded Cave and access Govetts Leap, where you can see the tallest waterfall in the park. The Greater Blue Mountains Drive is another popular option, covering 48 km each way. This passes through the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, as well as the heritage gardens on Mount Irvine and Wilson. You’ll find a number of quaint picnic spots, or you can opt to visit one of the local cafes that dot the mountain villages.
4WD Tours
There are a number of picturesque drives in the Blue Mountains accessible with a 4WD vehicle. Murphy’s Fire Trail passes from Woodford to Murphy’s Glen campground, passing through the heathlands and offering views of the Cumberland Plains below. You may pass by wallabies and other animals on your journey. Another unsealed road to drive on is the trail from Wentworth Falls to Murphy’s Glen, which features rockier terrain and a bevy of waterholes to stop and take a dip in. You can also traverse these trails on foot or by mountain bike.
With the right car, the right itinerary, and the right travel companions, you can ensure that your trip to the Blue Mountains is one to remember.
