This loop suits couples and small groups who like good wine, country towns and a bit of bush camping, without long days behind the wheel. You head over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee, then come home through Wollemi and the apple country around Bilpin. Allow 5 to 7 nights; we've laid it out as a relaxed 6-night trip.
At a glance
- Distance: about 708 km round trip
- Driving time: around 11.4 hours in total, spread over the week
- Suggested nights: 5–7 (6 nights below)
- Best time: March to May for autumn colour and harvest, September to November for spring
- Starts and ends: Manly, Sydney
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manly to Bathurst via the Blue Mountains
Drive: 223 km, about 3.6 hours (Manly to the Blue Mountains 114 km, 1.8 hours; on to Bathurst 109 km, 1.8 hours)
Pick up the van in Manly and head west on the Great Western Highway. Break the drive in the Blue Mountains for a walk and a look over the Jamison Valley from Echo Point. If you want to spend longer up there, our Blue Mountains campervan guide has more ideas. Push on down the western escarpment to Bathurst in the afternoon.
Overnight: a caravan park in Bathurst. You'll get hot showers and toilets, which matters in this van.
Day 2: Bathurst to Orange
Drive: 55 km, about 0.8 hours
Spend the morning in Bathurst. Do a lap of Mount Panorama, then walk the heritage streets around Machattie Park. After lunch it's a short run to Orange, leaving time for a first cellar door or two. Park the van for the night before you start tasting.
Overnight: a caravan park in Orange.
Day 3: Orange rest day
Drive: local only
Drive up Mount Canobolas early while you're fresh, then leave the van parked and spend the afternoon on the wineries. A local winery tour is the easiest way to do it, since nobody has to stay sober enough to drive a long van.
Overnight: same caravan park in Orange.
Day 4: Orange to Mudgee
Drive: 132 km, about 2.4 hours
This is the longest leg of the week, through rolling farmland and small villages. Stock up on groceries in Orange before you leave. Arrive in Mudgee by early afternoon and settle in.
Overnight: a caravan park in Mudgee.
Day 5: Mudgee rest day
Drive: local only
A full day for the Mudgee cellar doors. Many are within a short ride of town, so a winery tour or a guided bike tour works well here. Keep the van parked.
Overnight: same caravan park in Mudgee.
Day 6: Mudgee to Rylstone and Ganguddy
Drive: 52 km, about 0.7 hours to Rylstone, then on to Ganguddy
Have a slow morning, grab supplies in Mudgee and drive to Rylstone. From there, head into Wollemi National Park to Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) for an afternoon paddle among the sandstone. Parts of the road in are unsealed, so check current conditions with NSW National Parks before you go, especially after rain.
Overnight: Ganguddy campground in Wollemi National Park, booked ahead through NSW National Parks. If the road is in poor shape, stay another night in Mudgee and visit Rylstone as a day trip.
Day 7: Rylstone to Manly via the Capertee Valley, Lithgow and Bilpin
Drive: 246 km, about 3.9 hours (Rylstone to Lithgow 100 km, 1.4 hours; Lithgow to Bilpin 51 km, 0.9 hours; Bilpin to Manly 95 km, 1.6 hours)
Drive south along the Castlereagh Highway past the Capertee Valley and stop at Pearsons Lookout. From Lithgow, take the Bells Line of Road east to Bilpin for apples and cider supplies, then down through Richmond and back to Manly.
Best stops along the way
Mount Panorama
The Bathurst race circuit is a public road for most of the year, so you can drive the full lap in your van. Outside race events the speed limit is 60 km/h, and people live and train on it, so watch for cyclists and walkers. The climb up Mountain Straight and the view from the top of the hill give you a real sense of how steep it is. During race weekends the circuit closes to public traffic, so check event dates before you plan your lap.
Bathurst heritage
Bathurst is one of Australia's oldest inland towns and it shows. The streets around Machattie Park are lined with grand gold-rush era buildings, including the courthouse.
Orange wineries
Orange sits high on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, which gives it a cool climate and crisp wines. Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir are the local strengths. The town has a big food scene too, so plan at least one meal out. Some cellar doors ask you to book ahead, so check current times before you go.
Mount Canobolas
This extinct volcano is the highest point for a long way and the summit views stretch over the whole region. The road up is sealed but steep and winding, so take it slowly in a high-roof van. Go in the morning, before any wine, and pack a jacket because it's noticeably colder at the top.
Mudgee cellar doors
Mudgee has over 40 wineries, many still run by the families who planted them. The region is known for big reds, but it's worth trying the whites too.
Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp)
Ganguddy is a long, calm waterway on the Cudgegong River, lined with sandstone pagodas. Bring a kayak or paddleboard if you have one, as paddling is the best way to see it, and there are short walks to lookouts. The campground is popular in school holidays and on long weekends, so book early. Remember the road in is partly unsealed.
Capertee Valley
The Capertee Valley is often described as one of the widest canyons in the world. Pearsons Lookout, right on the Castlereagh Highway, gives you the view without any detour. Birdwatchers come here from all over, so bring binoculars.
Bilpin orchards
Bilpin is apple country, and roadside stalls and orchards along the Bells Line of Road sell fruit, juice and cider. Autumn is peak season, with pick-your-own at some orchards. It's a good last stop to fill the fridge before you drop the van off.
Tips for doing this trip in the Allure van
- Never drive after tastings. This is wine country, and a long wheelbase van needs a clear head. Plan tasting days as rest days with the van parked, and use a winery tour, a guided bike tour or a designated driver who isn't drinking at all.
- No toilet on board. Caravan parks in Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee have amenities, and Ganguddy campground has basic facilities. Plan toilet stops in towns on the longer legs.
- Cold water only. The indoor and outdoor showers are cold, so caravan parks with hot showers make more sense, especially in Orange, where spring and autumn nights get cold. Pack warm layers and a beanie.
- Watch the roads. The van has a high roof, so avoid low multi-storey car parks in town. Take it easy on the unsealed sections into Ganguddy and skip any 4WD-only tracks in Wollemi.
- Use the fridge and batteries. The 360Ah lithium setup covers a night or two at Ganguddy easily. Fill the fridge in Mudgee first. The van page has the full layout and kit list.
- Bring the dog if you like. Pets are welcome in the van, but not in national parks like Wollemi, so skip Ganguddy or arrange another stay that night if they're with you.
FAQ
How many days do you need for Mudgee and Orange?
Allow at least 5 nights to see both towns without rushing, and 6 or 7 if you want rest days for wine tasting and a night at Ganguddy. You can drop the Bilpin stop or shorten the Blue Mountains stop if you're short on time. Try the trip planner to test your own version.
Can you free camp around Mudgee and Orange?
Free camping rules vary by council, and you can't camp on town streets. The simplest options are caravan parks in town and NSW National Parks campgrounds like Ganguddy, which need booking ahead.
Is Mount Panorama open to the public?
Yes. Outside race events it's a public road with a 60 km/h speed limit, and you can drive the full lap. It closes to public traffic around major race weekends.
Is Mudgee or Orange better for a wine weekend?
They're quite different. Orange is higher and cooler, with crisp whites and pinot, and Mudgee is known for richer reds and a relaxed country feel. This loop covers both. If you'd rather stay closer to Sydney, look at our Hunter Valley and Port Stephens guide.
When you've settled on your dates, check availability and we'll have the van ready in Manly.