Katoomba to Bathurst drive: Distance, time & best stops

The Katoomba to Bathurst drive through the Blue Mountains covers a 99km distance in a driving time of around 1h22m. The best stops along the way are Pulpit Hill, Govetts Leap, Hassans Walls and Lithgow.

Planning a Katoomba to Bathurst road trip itinerary

The drive from Katoomba to Bathurst connects the Blue Mountains to the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. You will pass this way if coming through the Blue Mountains on a longer road trip – say Sydney to Orange.

Katoomba is where you’ll find the Blue Mountains hop-on, hop-off bus that links the Three Sisters lookout at Echo Point to the record-breaking novelty transport of Scenic World. To find your ideal Katoomba accommodation, head this way.

7 Blue Mountains experiences you should pre-book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

Scenic World tickets – combine dramatic train rides, cable cars & forest walks.
The Blue Mountains hop-on, hop-off bus – get around Katoomba and Leura’s top sites hassle-free.
Guided stargazing with an astrophysicist – learn how to read the clear night skies.
Give canyoning a try – jumping, climbing and sliding through Empress Canyon.
Take a half day abseiling adventure – in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Indulge in a local produce tasting experience – with beers, wines & meats.
Get adventurous – on a 4WD tour to the world’s second largest canyon.

Bathurst brings private luxury wine tours and jet fighter flights. For Bathurst accommodation, investigate here.

This guide should help you plan your perfect Katoomba to Bathurst road trip itinerary.

Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.

If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.

Katoomba to Bathurst distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Katoomba to Bathurst is 99km. That makes for a one hour 22 minute drive, providing traffic on the Great Western Highway isn’t too bad.

Katoomba is unquestionably the tourism hub of the Blue Mountains. Highlights include riding the Scenic Railway at Scenic World and tackling the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

The town is also the base for canyoning and abseiling adventures, tasting platters with prime views at Echo Point and 4WD tours into areas of the Blue Mountains most visitors don’t see.

6 top Katoomba experiences to book in advance

Connect the key sights in Katoomba and Leura the easy way – on the hop-on, hop-off bus.
Discover your adventurous side – while canyoning at Twister and Rocky Creek.
Indulge in NSW-sourced wines, beers and tasting platters at Echo Point, while overlooking the Jamison Valley.
Combine canyoning and abseiling on a full day adventure.
Explore the Jamison Valley from all angles – with the trains and cable cars of Scenic World.
See ancient Aboriginal rock art – and the views other people miss – on a 4WD adventure.

The best Katoomba accommodation options include the surprisingly affordable Blue Mountains Heritage Hotel, the pool-equipped Skyrider Motor Inn and the rather grand Carrington Hotel.

Katoomba to Bathurst drive: Katoomba to Blackheath

On the way out of Katoomba, the Great Western Highway passes the trailhead for the Six Foot Track at Pulpit Hill on one side and the Upper Cascade Creek Dam on the other.

Next up is the town of Medlow Bath, which hosts the Hydro Majestic Hotel – one of the most revered spa hotels in Australia.

Coming into Blackheath, you’ll go near the Mermaids Cave Walk. But the main reason to visit Blackheath is the Blackheath section of the Blue Mountains National Park.

Top spots here include include Pulpit Rock, the Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap, Victoria Falls, the Mount Hay summit walk and the Grand Canyon.

But the top activity in Blackheath is arguably hiring an e-bike then mountain biking the Burramoko Trail along the ridgeline to Hanging Rock.

Katoomba to Bathurst road trip: Blackheath to Lithgow

At Mount Victoria, there’s the Pulpit Rock Lookout, Bushrangers Cave and Sunset Rock Lookout. The Katoomba to Lithgow drive then crosses the Pass of Victoria into Hartley, past Hassans Walls and into the western end of Lithgow.

Things to do in Lithgow include learning about the coal-mining past at the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park and delving into historic weapons at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory.

Top Lithgow accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Lithgow are:

For the highest guest ratings: Lithgow Workies Club Motel.
For heritage and charm: Wenvoe Historic Retreat.
For a heated outdoor pool: Zig Zag Motel and Apartments.

Katoomba to Bathurst drive: Marrangaroo National Park

Marrangaroo National Park is just to the west of the highway as you leave Lithgow. It’s largely based around the Cox’s River as it meanders between Lake Wallace and Lake Lyell. Popular activities include kayaking on Lake Lyell, walking to the top of Mount Walker for 360 degree views and camping at Marrangaroo campground.

Further along the Lithgow to Bathurst leg of the drive comes Mount Lambie. Should you fancy for a spot of trout-fishing, the Thompsons Creek Reservoir is a good bet.

Katoomba to Bathurst drive: Golden Poplars

The section of the Lithgow to Bathurst drive near Meadows Flat is famous for its golden poplar trees. And, a little further on, the Great Western Highway skirts the Sunny Corner State Forest.

It doesn’t take too long to reach Bathurst, however. The Mitchell Highway and Mid-Western Highway connect here.

Attractions in Bathurst, meanwhile include Abercrombie House, the Bathurst Rail Museum and the Mount Panorama racing circuit. If you’re looking for Bathurst accommodation with a twist, Rydges Bathurst is right next to the race track.