Sydney To The Blue Mountains Round Trip

Buckle up, because the first half of this short and sweet campervan itinerary from Sydney is brimming with adventures. You’ll begin in urban Sydney, where you can make the most of your set of wheels to see a few of the area’s top attractions before hitting the road. From here, you’ll head straight into the heart of the Blue Mountains to visit waterfalls, the iconic Three Sisters rock formation, and a gorgeous cellar door with a view. You’ll only need a day or two for this leg without rushing.
 
Sydney
 
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, renting a motorhome in Sydney opens up a world of possibilities. This Harbour City is a world-class destination in itself, so you can begin your itinerary right here by using your motorhome to get out and explore its many gems. While the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are both easy to visit on foot, your campervan can help you see more scattered attractions, such as Bondi Beach, Sydney Heads, and Sydney Olympic Park. As you head west out of the city, consider stopping at Sydney’s Wet ‘n’ Wild theme park, which is the perfect spot to cool off, get that adrenaline running, and instantly kickstart that holiday feeling.
 
When you’re ready to well and truly begin your road trip, continue west out of the city along the M4 into the Blue Mountains. Note that the M4 is a toll road, but as Sydney’s tolls are cashless, you’ll only need an electronic toll road pass.
 
Wentworth Falls
 
The Wentworth Falls are widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cascades of the Blue Mountains - and the competition is fierce. These falls are found at the point where the Jamison Creek drops nearly 300 metres into a large pool below which continues into a rushing creek and the Valley of the Waters. Take the walking track for a short but steep hike up to the Fletchers Lookout for the most impressive view of the falls, and consider bringing a picnic so you can spend more time in the area to really take in the scene. The walkway is roughly 1.5 kilometres in length, so you won’t need much more than an hour to complete the round trip hike, but keep in mind that there are a lot of steps (around 200), so you will need your hiking shoes and a bit of fitness to make it to the top.
 
From here, it’s a short drive up the road to Echo Point, the most iconic location in the Blue Mountains and a highlight of your campervan trip.
 
The Three Sisters and Scenic World
 
Echo Point is your window to the Three Sisters, a striking rock formation above the Jamison Valley. These three giant rocks are named Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo, and are together one of the most iconic sights in the Blue Mountains - and in New South Wales. During your visit, you can take the Giant Stairway and its 800-plus steps from near Echo Point to get a little closer to the sisters and even to touch one of the peaks. As you go, think about the legend of the three sisters. It is said that they were turned to stone to protect them from harm, but stories differ on whether that harm was from tribal feuds and forbidden love or to save them from a mythical Australian creature - the ‘bunyip’. Learn more about this tale and the history of the area when you visit Scenic World right next to the rock formation, which offers a range of experiences to enjoy the spot. You can take the SkyWay to float past the sisters, hike the walkway through the rainforest, ride the CableWay for a trip on the steepest aerial cable in the southern hemisphere, or even climb on board the train to ride the steepest railway in the world.
 
From one of the most well-known spots to a hidden treasure, drive back through the town of Katoomba and continue north to the Minnehaha Trail.
 
Minnehaha Falls
 
The Minnehaha Falls are relatively unknown, making them an even more special stop for your road trip through New South Wales. Sometimes also known as the Minni Ha Ha Falls, this tucked-away attraction can be found at the end of a short hike. Head to the end of Minni Ha Ha Road, then begin your 1.5-kilometre walk from the car park. It will take just an hour for the return trip, but allow more time if you bring a picnic or plan to swim in the pools along the path or at the base of the falls. There are spots for sunbathing, a platform that you can jump from into the pool, and plenty of exotic flora and fauna along the way.
 
Go from wet to dry as you make your way to your next stop - Dryridge Estate.
 
Dryridge Estate
 
Dryridge Estate is a place that perfectly meshes the epic backdrop of the Blue Mountains with the delicious local wine and food of New South Wales. Stop by the cellar door in the Megalong Valley for the best of both worlds. Try the cheese platter or ploughman’s lunch as you taste test their vinos and admire the view of sandstone cliffs and the Great Dividing Range. You can also take a stroll - or a major hike - along the Six Foot Track, which traverses the property and would take three days if you were to cover the entire trail on foot.
 
Assuming you don’t have quite that much time, take the quicker option and head back to your motorhome to make the final 90-minute drive back along the A32 then down the Jenolan Caves Road.

Continue your campervan round trip as you visit the Jenolan Caves, Australia’s largest and most-visited cave system. From here, you’ll drive up through Lithgow and to the Zig Zag Railway to see this historic train system. Then finally, you’ll take a walk through the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden before driving back to Sydney.
 
Jenolan Caves
 
The Jenolan Caves are widely accepted to be Australia’s most spectacular cave system - and they’re practically right on Sydney’s doorstep. They are also the most ancient discovered open caves in the world, and the largest system in Australia. A guided tour through the system is an unmissable experience, as you’ll walk through the caves and learn about the ancient limestone that forms them, as well as the rich Aboriginal history connected to the site. Note that there are a number of different tours available, including adventure caving for something more challenging, and night-time tours for something more spooky. Plus, you can also take a free bushwalk from the caves to see Australia’s wildlife and learn all about the creatures and plants that call it home.
 
Next, head north, then make a right turn at Lithgow.
 
Zig Zag Railway
 
The Zig Zag Railway closed for years after a devastating bushfire in 2013, so if you visit in 2018 or 2019, you’ll be among the first to enjoy this historical experience after extensive repairs and renovations. Be sure to double check that the attraction is open before you arrive, as it is currently still undergoing repairs at the time of writing, but is ‘on track’ to open this year. The track was originally built in the 1860s as a way to transport people from the area across to Sydney, and as the name suggests, it uses a zigzag track to make its way up the western sides of the Blue Mountains to the top.
 
It’s only a 30-minute drive from here down the B59 to your final attraction of the road trip.
 
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
 
Located on Mount Tomah, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is a beautiful cool-climate garden that’s home to thousands of plant species from all over the Southern Hemisphere and the world. Take a walk around the site’s 28 hectares to see all of its bright, beautiful, and bizarre plants, and enjoy the backdrop of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The visitors’ centre is where you can learn a little more about the gardens, and you can stop by the restaurant for a bite to eat before making your way back to Sydney in roughly 90 minutes.
 
This Blue Mountains road trip will only take a few days and conveniently fits into a long weekend, but it will create memories that last a lifetime. Soak it all in, and then start planning your next motorhome itinerary, as there are plenty to choose from!