Sydney to Coonabarabran road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Sydney to Coonabarabran road trip: Wolgan Valley

It’s only another 127km from Lithgow to Mudgee, but there’s plenty to see on the way. Before joining the Castlereagh Highway, you can walk to the top of Mount Walker in Marrangaroo National Park.

You can just plough straight down the highway, but there are several worthwhile excursions. The Wolgan Valley hosts the excellent Wolgan Valley and Ben Bullen Mountain Top lookouts, plus the Blackfellows Hand Cave. There’s also one of Australia’s most luxurious resorts – the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.

If you’ve got a 4WD, you can take on the Ben Bullen Trail in the Gardens of Stone National Park. It is renowned for its sandstone cliffs and wildflowers.

Attractions between Sydney and Coonabarabran: National parks

Another option for a break is the Turon National Park, where you can camp by the Turon River. There are also plenty of walks and fishing opportunities.

Pearsons Lookout just before the village of Capertee makes for a great photo stop, but there’s more to see in the Capertee Valley. The scenic drive to Glen Davis takes you through the world’s second largest canyon, with dramatic escarpments flanking the route.

Just to the north of the valley, Capertee National Park offers great birdwatching, plus kangaroos and wallabies in the campgrounds. The best views come from the Valley Lookout.

Click through to the next section: Lake Windamere and wineries.