A Blue Mountains campervan road trip from Sydney is the easiest big escape you can do from Manly. It suits couples, small families and first-time van travellers who want cliff-top lookouts, bushwalks and good coffee without long days behind the wheel. Allow three to four nights for the full loop.
At a glance
- Distance: about 472 km round trip
- Driving time: about 7.6 hours in total, spread over the trip
- Suggested nights: 3 to 4
- Best time: year round, with March to May the pick for autumn colour
- Route: starts and ends in Manly, via Leura, Blackheath, Jenolan Caves and Bilpin
Day-by-day itinerary
This plan uses four nights, with a slower day in the upper mountains. If you only have three, combine Days 1 and 2 by driving straight through to Blackheath on the first afternoon.
Day 1: Manly to Leura
Drive: 114 km, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Collect the van in Manly and head west along the Great Western Highway. Pull off at Wentworth Falls for your first proper walk, then roll into Leura for a late lunch on Leura Mall.
Spend the night at a caravan park in Leura or neighbouring Katoomba. You'll want the hot showers after a day on the tracks, and being close to Echo Point makes an early start easy.
Day 2: Leura and Katoomba, then on to Blackheath
Drive: 13 km, about 20 minutes.
Set an alarm for sunrise at Echo Point. The Three Sisters catch the first light and the crowds haven't arrived yet. Head back to the van for breakfast, then spend the morning at Scenic World before it gets busy.
In the afternoon take the short hop up the highway to Blackheath. It's quieter than Katoomba, with a good bakery and pub scene and easy access to some of the best lookouts in the mountains. Stay at a caravan park in Blackheath.
Day 3: Blackheath to Jenolan Caves
Drive: 116 km, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Start with Govetts Leap Lookout in the morning light, then drop down Victoria Pass to Hartley and follow the signs to Jenolan. The last stretch of Jenolan Caves Road is steep and winding, with tight bends as it descends into the valley. Take it slowly in a long van, use a low gear on the way down and give yourself plenty of room on the hairpins. Check Live Traffic NSW before you set off, as the road has had closures in the past.
Book your cave tour ahead and time your arrival so you're not rushing. Accommodation at Jenolan itself is limited, so plan to stay at a caravan park in Oberon or Lithgow, both within about an hour.
Day 4: Jenolan Caves to Bilpin
Drive: 134 km, about 2 hours 10 minutes.
This is the longest day on the road, but it's a lovely one. Head back towards Lithgow and pick up the Bells Line of Road, the scenic way home. It runs along a ridge with long views over the valleys on both sides and far less traffic than the Great Western Highway.
Stop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah for lunch with a view, then continue to Bilpin for the orchards. Spend the night at a caravan park down in the Hawkesbury around Richmond or Windsor, which also shortens tomorrow's drive.
Day 5: Bilpin to Manly
Drive: 95 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Grab a last bag of apples, then follow the Bells Line of Road down through Kurrajong to Richmond and back across Sydney to Manly.
Best stops along the way
Wentworth Falls
Walk the Undercliff track and continue down to the base of the falls for the full experience. It's a lot of stone stairs, so wear proper shoes and allow a few hours. Tracks here are sometimes closed for repairs, so check the NSW National Parks website before you go.
Leura Mall
Leura's tree-lined main street is full of cafés, antique shops and homewares stores. Parking is on-street and gets busy on weekends, so arrive early or walk in from your caravan park.
Echo Point
This is the classic Three Sisters view, and sunrise is the time to see it. The lookout platforms are a short, flat walk from the car park. If you have energy left, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk runs along the escarpment from here in both directions.
Scenic World
Ride what's billed as the steepest passenger railway in the world down into the Jamison Valley, then float back across the gorge on the glass-floored Skyway. Weekends and school holidays get very busy. Book ahead and check current times.
Govetts Leap Lookout
At the end of Govetts Leap Road in Blackheath, this lookout opens onto the enormous Grose Valley, with Bridal Veil Falls dropping off the cliff line. The Fairfax Heritage Track is an easy, accessible walk to the lookout if you'd rather stretch your legs than drive in.
Jenolan Caves
These limestone caves are among the oldest known open caves in the world, and you can only go in on a guided tour. Tours vary in length and difficulty, so pick one that suits your group and book ahead. Bring a warm layer, as it's cool underground all year.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
The garden at Mount Tomah sits right on the Bells Line of Road, so it's an easy stop. It focuses on cool-climate plants and has sweeping views across the Wollemi wilderness.
Bilpin orchards
Bilpin is apple country, and in autumn you'll find roadside stalls and pick-your-own orchards along the Bells Line of Road. Many also sell local cider and apple pies. Picking seasons vary, so check before you go if picking is the main reason for the trip.
Tips for doing this trip in the Allure van
- Plan your amenities. The van has no toilet, so each night at a caravan park or campground with facilities makes life easy. Towns along the Great Western Highway have public toilets, and so do the main lookouts.
- Use caravan park showers when it's cold. The indoor and outdoor showers run cold water only. That's refreshing after a summer walk, but mountain nights can get very cold, so hot park showers are welcome most of the year.
- Watch the roof height. The LDV Deliver 9 has a high roof, so skip multi-level and underground car parks in Katoomba and Sydney. Stick to sealed roads too. Some national park campgrounds and fire trails in the mountains are unsealed or steep, and aren't suited to a long 2WD van.
- Take your time on the steep sections. Jenolan Caves Road and Victoria Pass are the steepest parts of the route. The van is an automatic on a standard car licence, so it's easy to drive, but use a lower gear on long descents.
- Stock the fridge before you leave the coast. The fridge and 360Ah of lithium batteries give you a few days off-grid, so you can cook at a lookout picnic area instead of chasing a café table on a busy weekend.
- Bring the dog, but know the rules. Pets are welcome in the van, but dogs aren't allowed in NSW national parks, so plan pet-friendly parks and walks. See the van details for everything on board.
FAQ
How many days do you need for the Blue Mountains?
Three to four nights is ideal for this loop. Two nights covers Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath, but adding Jenolan Caves and the Bells Line of Road makes a longer trip worth it. Our trip planner can help you work out timings.
Can you free camp in the Blue Mountains?
Free camping rules vary by council, and you can't camp on town streets. National park campgrounds usually need booking through NSW National Parks, and some are on unsealed roads. For a first trip, caravan parks in Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath are the simplest option.
Is Jenolan Caves Road suitable for a campervan?
Yes, it's sealed, but it's steep and winding with sharp bends near the caves. Drive slowly, use a low gear downhill and check Live Traffic NSW for closures before you go.
What's the best way back to Sydney from the Blue Mountains?
Take the Bells Line of Road. It's the scenic route, passing Mount Tomah and the Bilpin orchards, and it makes the trip a proper loop rather than a return along the highway. For more ideas, see our Sydney campervan road trips guide or head further west on the Central West wine and gold trail.
If the mountains are calling, check availability and pick your dates.