Adventure Just 3 hours from Sydney
If you don’t have the luxury of full time vanlife don’t worry! You can do all this in just a weekend away.
Okay maybe a 3 day weekend… there is a lot of adventuring here
Getting out of town
If you’re in Sydney and you throw Newnes into the map you will see there is a north and south road option to get there. Take both! I did the north road via Bilpin to get out there. Bilpin is great, a small little town but it’s set up for visitors. A bunch of new cider breweries have opened up, which is super cool and most have food. Even if you don’t stop long be sure to at least pick up some brews for the camp later.
SIde of the road big thing! Bilpin has the big Fruit Bowl, who doesn’t love a random big thing really.
Hillbilly Cider is dog friendly and you can sit out the back to enjoy a crisp one. My fave is the Scrumpy which is a cloudy apple cider, warning tho the Scrumpy is a little stronger than the other flavours www.hillbillycider.com.au
Hassan’s Walls Lookout
Time to get on some dirt roads. An hour drive from Bilpin is Hassan’s Walls Lookout. It’s just out of town and it’s a dirt road up to the top but super easy, definitely doable in a 2WD.
Awesome view from Hassan’s Walls Lookout
Woolshed Flat
From here you are pretty close to Lithgow. Big thing alert, Lithgow has the Big Miners Lantern. If there’s anything you’ve forgotten you can grab it now before hitting the trails in Turon National Park. National Parks in NSW are no pets allowed so if you have Fido scroll down to the next camp which allows puppers. From Hassan’s it’s an hour drive to Woolshed Flat, you can enter from Capertee which is another cute small town worth a stop. The road to this camp is 4x4 only and is quite steep. Do check the weather to make sure you are prepared, it will be easiest in dry weather as the road has a lot of clay.
The camp is remote so no ammenities, you will need to be self contained for this one. It’s right next to the Turon River which is great for taking stand up paddle boards, it has a few rocks so better with an inflatable sup. This camp is super peaceful and if you are lucky you will wake up to Kangaroos in the valley.
2UP on the Atoll SUP! Like my board? Grab yours at www.adventurerigsaustralia.com
Glow Worms
The Glow Worm Tunnel is a 2 hour round trip from Lithgow and a 1 hour hike from where you can park your car. I’ve heard about this tunnel since I was a kid and yet for some reason had never made it out there, so after finally making it I can tell you it’s totally worth the hype! It’s a lot of dirt road but nothing difficult.
Like I said it was my first time out here, so when I came across the first tunnel I got out and was devastated that there were no glow worms. We got back in the van and began to head back to town. Luckily we had the thought that maybe there was ANOTHER tunnel! There is, drive through the first tunnel and a little further to a car park (with a toilet in case any one needs to go) and from there it’s an easy hike to the actual Glow Worm Tunnel.
Walk a decent way inside and then turn out any lights, let your eyes adjust and look up to see an incredible sparkle of tiny blue lights from the Glow Worms.
Dingo the van navigating the regular non worm tunnel
Kate the human walking into the actual Glow Worm Tunnel
Lake Wallace
Lake Wallace is in the town of Wallerawang and is a great free camp which does allow dogs. You have a beautiful lake for swimming, fishing, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. If you’re looking for a local meal near here I recommend the Tin Shed in Lithgow (15 minute drive from Lake Wallace) Hot tip for the Tin Shed, grab a slice of the banana bread to go for later!!
https://tourism.lithgow.com/lake-wallace/
https://thetinshedlithgow.com/
Night time on the lake - how good is this camp spot!
The Return
Making your way back to Sydney its time to take the south road via Katoomba. Katoomba is a great stop off, again a small town but one that is certainly ready for tourists with lots of great food places to try out. Once you’re caffeinated and ready check out the street art which fills Beverly Place. I didn’t know this was here but it was certainly a pleasant find!
Pool of Siloam
A quick drive to the other side of town and you will find a hike down to the Pool of Siloam which is a beautiful waterfall with a small swimming hole. The walk down is steep but short and theres some good lookout points along the way.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/lyrebird-dell-walking-track
Let me know if you take this trip! And check back for more fun adventure ideas :)