Tour Overview

  • Duration: 2 Days

  • Start Location: Glenorie Bakery

  • Departure Time: 8:00 AM

  • Overnight Stay: The Clairfield Hotel, Mudgee

  • Dining Highlight: The Zin House

  • Day Two Lunch Stop: Lilli Pilli Café, Leura

 

Day 1 — Glenorie to Mudgee

Route

Glenorie → Cattai Ridge Road → Maraylya → Kurrajong → Bells Line of Road → Lithgow → Tarana → Bathurst → Sofala → Hill End → Mudgee

Morning Drive

The tour begins at Glenorie Bakery with coffee before departure. From there, the route heads out via Cattai Ridge Road, a strong opening section with a flowing and technical feel that sets the tone for the day.

From Kurrajong, the drive joins the Bells Line of Road, one of New South Wales’ classic mountain roads, known for its sweeping corners, elevation changes, and beautiful outlooks.

Backroads into Bathurst

Rather than taking the direct highway route, the tour continues via Lithgow, Lake Lyell, Tarana, and O’Connell, offering a quieter and more engaging drive into Bathurst.

Points of Interest

  • Lake Lyell — a landscape shaped by the region’s mining history

  • Tarana Railway Station — a historic rail junction with deep colonial roots

  • O’Connell Village — one of the district’s early rural settlements

Lunch in Bathurst

Lunch is at The Hub Espresso Bar, a relaxed and reliable stop in the heart of Bathurst.

Afternoon Drive — Gold Rush Country

After lunch, the route heads west and north through some of the most atmospheric country roads in the state, travelling from Bathurst to Sofala, Hill End, and on to Mudgee.

This section delivers a unique mix of scenery, history, and classic road touring.

Points of Interest

  • Sofala — the oldest surviving gold rush town in New South Wales

  • Hill End Historic Site — a beautifully preserved 19th-century mining settlement

  • Beyers Cottage and Northey’s Store — original buildings from the gold era

Evening in Mudgee

The overnight stay is at The Clairfield Hotel, offering boutique comfort and a premium base in Mudgee.

Dinner is at The Zin House, one of the region’s standout dining experiences, known for seasonal produce and refined country hospitality.

Day 2 — Mudgee to Sydney

Route

Mudgee → Lue → Rylstone → Glen Alice → Glen Davis → Capertree → Lithgow → Bells Line of Road → Bell → Mount Victoria → Leura → Sydney

Morning Departure

After breakfast, the tour departs Mudgee and heads toward Lue and Rylstone, with a morning coffee stop in town.

Coffee Stop — Rylstone

Rylstone offers a relaxed country-town atmosphere and makes the ideal reset point before the next major driving section.

Recommended Coffee Stops

  • 29 Nine 99 Café

  • Pepino’s

Points of Interest

  • Lue Village — a quiet rural settlement with heritage character

  • Rylstone — a beautifully preserved colonial streetscape

Glen Alice and Capertree Valley

From Rylstone, the road continues through Glen Alice and toward Capertree, delivering one of the most memorable driving sections of the whole tour.

This part of the route combines remote road feel, dramatic escarpments, and a real sense of scale and isolation.

Points of Interest

  • Glen Davis Ruins — remains of the region’s shale oil industry

  • Capertee Valley — one of the widest enclosed valleys in the world

Return via Lithgow and the Blue Mountains

The route returns through Lithgow, then heads back toward the mountains via Bells Line of Road, crossing through Bell and on to Mount Victoria before descending into Leura for lunch.

Lunch in Leura

Lunch is at Lilli Pilli Café, a relaxed and well-regarded Blue Mountains stop before the final run home.

Final Leg

After lunch, the tour heads back toward Sydney for the final stage of the journey.

Central Tablelands Driving Tour

Sydney to Bathurst to Mudgee Loop

A curated two-day driving experience through NSW’s best backroads, heritage towns, and premium country hospitality

 

The Central Tableland Driving Tour is a purpose-built two-day road experience designed for people who love great driving roads, beautiful landscapes, and memorable country stops.

Starting in Glenorie, this route takes in the flowing bends of Cattai Ridge Road, the mountain rhythm of Bells Line of Road, the historic back way into Bathurst, and the gold rush towns of Sofala and Hill End before arriving in Mudgee for an overnight stay.

Day two heads out through Lue, Rylstone, Glen Alice, and Capertree, delivering one of the most rewarding and scenic driving sections in regional New South Wales before returning via Lithgow, Mount Victoria, and Leura.

This is more than a drive. It is a curated road tour combining engaging routes, local history, premium dining, and a relaxed but refined touring atmosphere.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Why This Tour

The Cadence Sportz Driving Tour has been designed for drivers who appreciate more than just getting from one place to another.

It is for those who value:

  • well-chosen roads

  • low-traffic regional driving

  • historic towns and landscapes

  • quality food and accommodation

  • a premium touring experience with real character

This is a road tour built around rhythm, scenery, and memorable stops — with every section chosen for a reason.

 
 
 

Enquire / Register Interest

To learn more about the Cadence Sportz Driving Tour, enquire about upcoming dates, or register your interest, please get in touch.

mark@cadencesportz.com.au

Curated driving experiences with purpose, flow, and style.