Blue Mountains Car Tours: Top 5 Picks for the Views

Thinking about cruising around the Blue Mountains? Very good shout! The Mountains offer these drives that are just so spectacular, mixing eucalyptus-covered hills, crazy views, and these small-town charms you would find interesting. Instead of your average bus tour, hopping in a car means freedom. You could pause at every scenic spot you come across and, basically, discover spots most visitors never get the chance to see. Now, let’s explore a selection of top drives which promise a peek into the heart and spirit of this Aussie treasure. As I was saying, you will get to see a range of spots to visit!

1. The Cliff Drive, Katoomba: Edge-of-the-World Views

The Cliff Drive in Katoomba, right, could be a spectacular curtain-raiser to your Mountains adventure. Beginning near Scenic World, too it’s almost an easy, pretty simple stretch that hugs the edge of the plateau, that. Expect regular lookouts offering sprawling views, too it’s almost, well, across the Jamison Valley. The Three Sisters look striking from here and that’s before you consider the dense greenery meeting distant skies; very photogenic!

Way back in the day, Cliff Drive, could be something tourists did with horses and carts, and now you might drive the road in your cozy vehicle and, just a little, think of how many folks must have soaked up these exact same vistas, just with a whole heap more clatter and bounce! It might be quite calming, too it’s almost a reminder of this old appeal these views still carry. By the way, there are some cool little walking paths linked to the road too it’s almost as well if you’re keen to extend those leg muscles a little bit more. Don’t skip the Echo Point stop that is rather iconic, and has pretty great shops and restaurants. That aside, the road itself has numerous smaller spots where, honestly, parking is often possible just to snag that idyllic picture or pause and stare just for a bit.

2. The Bells Line of Road: Scenic Route to the Blue Mountains

Want a different way into the Blue Mountains? Try the Bells Line of Road. Instead of heading straight on the highway, which usually brings plenty of cars and trucks, this route meanders through apple orchards and bits of bush. Basically, starting around Richmond, north-west of Sydney, it takes you right into the Mountains, passing through towns which really do make you think about slowing down, that is, Kurrajong, Bilpin, and Mount Tomah among them.

Speaking of Mt Tomah, you could plan a stop to this place; you might see the Botanic Garden there, honestly, it gives such views of the area along with various plants from every part of the globe, seemingly growing surprisingly well in Mountain air! You know, depending what part of the year it is, fruit picking at some spots might just be a thing too, very refreshing if you just want a snack for your driving time ahead. So this way into the Mountains could very well set a peaceful tone, almost creating anticipation as you head deeper in to the wilder spots.

3. Megalong Valley Road: A Step Back in Time

Going down into Megalong Valley gives such a feeling as though you are heading back to what life might have been many years ago. When you peel away from the more busy tourist locations up on the cliffs around Katoomba, a road takes one of these hair-raising dips down into this verdant valley. On top of that, its very geography keeps that atmosphere of relative quiet even on busy days.

Riding down could be an event by itself as the hills quickly enclose around, and you can usually feel how the climate seems to just noticeably shift more or less. What lies below is largely about old farming properties and riding schools. So, plan to, that, too, stop by the Megalong Creek Tearoom; people love it and the gardens nearby or even consider doing one of those horse riding treks; that just seems rather in spirit with that location, anyway! Arguably, that area is not just about awesome vistas. To be honest, it is rather more an opportunity to pause a beat to appreciate a rural, quieter rhythm which still beats nicely at the heart of the Blue Mountains.

4. Jenolan Caves Road: Through the Grand Arch

Now, if you are feeling up to something which brings some, uh, mild hairiness together with amazing views, Jenolan Caves Road from Katoomba should totally make your list! That stretch winds with dips and turns that, I mean, basically, demand your focus, that is to say, you must be watching those corners!, but that view is just utterly worth the care needed to travel the thing! The key point here really does have to be that amazing Grand Arch!

This landmark has vehicles and, frankly, that area is essentially, pedestrians drive, which feels odd or really great as it relies upon if you are behind the wheel or, I would guess, using your feet, literally! You know, getting through is just one experience, still, that whole complex of caves has these guided visits too if you are in that sort of thing, or those walks surrounding, still very beautiful with underground rivers and rugged cliffs so; you have plenty to spend your hours seeing and doing there. This could very easily eat up most of any day to go see all it has so bear that bit in mind!

5. Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst: A Bit of Racing History

Okay so, Bathurst might not lie smack-bang *in* the Mountains. But it is so close as to merit its spot considering so few miss popping out there from Katoomba. This area hosts the amazing Mount Panorama Circuit; also really awesome that you may drive all over this place for nearly the complete calendar year ( when there’s nothing major taking place, clearly). Even with your family sedan it’s awesome to have these feelings and almost a reverential feeling that one has when riding that same blacktop heroes have battled so vigorously for so long; by the way, they might be travelling lots more quickly!

Pause up by the peak to have that perfect panoramic view encompassing this very scenic countryside. Have an exploration in the pit region. There lies even this car museum which is great as it brings that circuit heritage very much into view too! Bathurst basically acts as this cool mix mixing small city appeal with this exciting draw for all motor racing followers and provides quite an easy day-trip running coming from the Blue Mountains; honestly you could go just to visit and return back to Katoomba in no time, very fun.