Sydney to Dubbo road trip route: complete NSW guide

There are few routes in Australia that are as naturally diverse and rewarding as the Sydney to Dubbo road trip.

As you climb up into the misty Blue Mountains, you find yourself in awe of the ever-expanding landscape around you. And as you descend across the vast agricultural plains of the Central West, you repeatedly stumble upon some of the best dining experiences and interactive attractions that NSW has to offer.

Our travel experts have planned this return Sydney to Dubbo road trip route so that you will get to experience:

• The Best Attractions and Sightseeing Spots.

• The Best Food Stops.

• The Best Camping Grounds (both free and paid).

Before you set off though, ensure that you’ve got the right vehicle for the journey! Take a minute to browse through the 300+ privately owned caravans, motorhomes and campers available for hire in Sydney via Camplify. We can help you to choose a vehicle that is right for your travel needs and your budget so that your trip is comfortable, hassle-free and safe!

Fast Facts

Number of Days (Options):

• 2 Day Return - Rushed Weekend Trip

• 3 Day Return - Cruisy Long Weekend

• 4 Day Return - Relaxing Getaway

• 5 Day Return - Family Holiday

Drive Time:

• One-way: 5hr 10min (400km).

• Return: 10hr 20min (800km).

Day 1: Sydney to The Blue Mountains

Drive Time: 1hr 45min

Distance: 100km

Sightseeing Stop # 1: The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters is one of the most famous rock formations in Australia and is visited by millions of tourists each year. Its name stems from Aboriginal legend. For the best view, head to Echo Point Lookout.

Price: Free

Location: Katoomba

Parking: Paid public car park is an easy 2-minute walk from the lookout ($4 per hour)

Extra Tip: To avoid the large crowds, visit early in the morning once the fog has cleared

Attraction Stop # 2: Scenic World Blue Mountains

Scenic World offers a range of amazing experiences right in the heart of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains. Ride the steepest passenger railway in the world, take in the views from the scenic cable car (suspended 270m above the ground) or descend into the valley on the 545m cableway.

Price: Adult tickets start at $50

Location: Katoomba

Parking: Free on-site parking

Sightseeing Stop # 3: Leura Cascades

Looking for a relaxing way to end the day? Take a breather at the stunning Leura Cascades picnic area. If you’ve still got some energy, the 1 hour Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit walk features stunning cliff line views and waterfalls.

Price: Free

Location: Leura

Parking: Free public car park

Best Food Stops

Food Stop # 1: The Hydro Majestic

If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience with panoramic views, you have to try high tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. This historical hotel is one of Australia’s most famous tea spots and it does not disappoint.

Price: $$ - $$$

Location: 5-minute drive from Katoomba

Parking: Free car park

Food Stop # 2: Leura Bakery

A trip to Leura is not complete without grabbing lunch at the Bakehouse on Wentworth. Their sausage rolls, pies and cakes are some of the best in NSW and reasonably priced.

Price: $-$$

Location: Leura

Parking: Free street parking

Best Camping Spots in the Blue Mountains

Paid Camping: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park (4.5/5 stars)

• Facilities: Modern bathroom block, coin-operated laundry, communal kitchen, free WiFi, dump point and more.

• Price: Unpowered sites start at $36. Powered sites start at $44.

• Stay KCC (4.6/5 stars)

• Facilities: Bathroom block, laundry, communal kitchen, free WiFi and more.

• Price: $15 per night per adult.

Free Camping: Cathedral Reserve Camping Ground (4.3/5 stars)

• Facilities: Composting toilets, tank water, fireplaces, picnic tables and garbage bins.

• Location: 45-minute drive from Katoomba.

• Dunphys Campground (4.6/5 stars)

• Facilities: Toilets, barbecues, picnic tables.

• Location: 45-minute drive from Katoomba.

Day 2: The Blue Mountains to Dubbo

Drive Time: 3hr 30min

Distance: 300km

Attraction Stop # 1: Old Dubbo Gaol

The Old Dubbo Gaol is a heritage-listed site dating back to 1847. It is now recognised as one of the best interactive museums in the state and offers all sorts of self-guided and guided tour experiences.

Price: Adult tickets start at $21

Location: Dubbo

Parking: Free on-site parking (suitable for caravans)

Attraction Stop # 2: Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience

The [Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience](https://dubbo.experience.flyingdoctor.org.au/# gref) is a highly interactive experience that explores the heroic work of the Flying Doctors. It is one of Dubbo’s highest-rated attractions and well worth a visit for people of all ages.

Price: Adult tickets are $18

Location: Dubbo

Parking: Free on-site parking (suitable for caravans)

Sightseeing Stop # 3: Shoyoen Japanese Garden

Shoyoen is recognised as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in Australia. It was gifted to Dubbo by its sister city in Japan and is a wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Price: Free

Location: Dubbo

Parking: Street Parking

Best Food Stops

Food Stop # 1: Mudgee Wineries

Mudgee is one of Australia’s great wine towns. If you’re interested in trying some of the outstanding local produce, stop by one of the wineries for lunch on your way from Katoomba to Dubbo. Both The Zin House and The Moothi Estate are highly acclaimed.

Price: $$-$$$

Location: Mudgee

Parking: Free on-site parking

Food Stop # 2: Dubbo Town Centre

In the Dubbo town centre, there is a tonne of different restaurants and takeaways to choose from (particularly around Macquarie St). On offer, you’ll find Asian, pub food, Italian, fast food, fine dining and much more.

Price: $-$$

Location: Dubbo

Parking: Street Parking

Best Camping Spots in Dubbo

Paid Camping: Dubbo Discovery Holiday Park (4.2/5 stars)

• Facilities: Modern bathrooms, laundry, pool, communal kitchen, dump point and more.

• Price: $37 per night for powered sites.

• Westview Caravan Park (4.3/5 stars)

• Facilities: Large bathroom blocks, laundry, BBQs, pool, dump point and more.

• Price: About $30-$40 per night for powered sites.

Free Camping: Ponto Falls Reserve

• Facilities: Composting toilets and river access.

• Location: 35 minutes from Dubbo

• Toongi Hall Campground

• Facilities: Toilets, tap water and picnic tables.

• Location: 22 minutes from Dubbo

• Price: Free but $10 donation appreciated.

Day 3: Dubbo to Orange

Drive Time: 1hr 45min

Distance: 145km

Attraction Stop # 1: The Dubbo Zoo

Dubbo Zoo is home to over 4000 animals and is one of Australia’s largest zoos. The best part is, you can get around the zoo in your own car. Dubbo Zoo also has some of Australia’s best animal encounters and safari experiences.

Price: Adult tickets start at $43.20 online ($48 at the gate)

Location: Dubbo

Parking: You can drive around the zoo!

Sightseeing Stop # 2: Cook Park

Cook Park is a 4.5-hectare natural wonderland in the centre of Orange. It has been specially designed so that vibrant seasonal colours are on full display all year round. A great place for an afternoon stroll and a snooze on the grass.

Price: Free

Location: Orange

Parking: Street Parking

Best Food Stops

Food Stop # 1: Orange Town Centre

The restaurants in Orange are your last opportunity on this road trip to taste fresh local produce from the Central West. If you wander up and down the streets of Orange, you are bound to come across a local menu that’ll take your fancy.

Price: $$-$$$

Location: Orange

Parking: Street parking

Best Camping Spots in Orange

Paid Camping: Canobolas Caravan Park (4.1/5 stars)

• Facilities: Bathroom block, laundry, dump point, BBQs and more.

• Price: Unpowered sites start at $15. Powered sites start at $32.

• Colour City Caravan Park (3.6/5 stars)

• Price: Unpowered sites start at $13.

Free Camping: Orange Showground (3.8/5 stars)

• Facilities: None - camping vehicles must be fully self-contained.

• Location: 2km from Orange Town Centre

Day 4: Orange to Sydney

Drive Time: 3hr 30min

Distance: 250km

Sightseeing Stop # 1: Mount Panorama Racing Circuit

Mount Panorama Racing Circuit is home to Australia’s largest V8 racing event - the Bathurst 1000. The track is open all year round (except during race events) and you can take a lap around the circuit for yourself whilst passing through town.

Price: Free

Location: Bathurst

Sightseeing Stop # 2: The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is a stunning showcase of both “local and imported cool climate plants and alpine rainforest”. Take a casual stroll through the beautiful 28 hectares of curated garden and admire the view over the vast Sydney basin.

Price: Free

Location: Mount Tomah

Parking: Free Car Park

Best Food Stops

Food Stop # 1: Bilpin

Bilpin is located on the historic Bells Line Road and is renowned for producing the best apples in NSW. Besides a few choice restaurants and cafes (such as Pie in the Sky and Maggie Lou’s Bites), Bilpin is also home to some outstanding cider breweries that offer picnic lunches on weekends (such as Bilpin Cider).

Your Next Road Trip

After you return from your Sydney to Dubbo road trip, you’ll be itching to take off on your next adventure. Given that you’ve already seen the best that Central West NSW has to offer, we recommend that next time you head north!

Why not take a Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip? Along the way, you’ll trace the scenic NSW coast and pass through a few of the most exquisite national parks in all of Australia. Or if you’d prefer to go a little further, you could always think about a Sydney to Brisbane road trip.