Capertee Valley, New South Wales: Attractions and scenic drive
The Capertee Valley between Lithgow and Mudgee in New South Wales is supposedly the second largest canyon in the world. Expect big sandstone cliffs and wildflowers on the scenic drive.
The Capertee Valley near Lithgow, New South Wales, is an enormous canyon formed over millions of years. Locals claim it is the second largest canyon in the world, although much depends on how you measure these things.
Where is the Capertee Valley?
The Capertee Valley stretches from the village of Capertee on the Castlereagh Highway to the ghost town of Glen Davis. It is about 30km long, and 1.6km wide, making it both longer and wider than the Grand Canyon in the United States, but not as deep.
Glen Davis, set up for oil shale extraction, is a gateway to walks and campsites in the Wollemi National Park. But the valley as a whole is best treated as a scenic drive. The route along Glen Davis Road is flanked by sandstone cliffs and is notorious for its wildflowers. There’s also a great chance of seeing native Australian wildlife in the Capertee Valley.
Pantoneys Crown: How easy is the climb?
The single biggest attraction in the Capertee Valley is Pantoneys Crown in Gardens of Stone National Park. This is a mesa which rises more than 1,000 metres above sea level and 300 metres above the surrounding landscape. However, for most, it is best admired from afar.
Getting to the top of Pantoneys Crown requires experience, as there are no marked paths or trails. It is a proper bush expedition, and the last stretch requires rock-climbing gear. That doesn’t stop some people trying it, but this is not an adventure for a passing tourist driving from Lithgow to Mudgee.
Pearsons Lookout over the Capertee Valley
If you just want a view of the Capertee Valley from the Castlereagh Highway, then Pearsons Lookout near Capertee is the best place to pull over.
You can get a good photo of the unfurling canyon from here.
More New South Wales travel
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