Tour Overview

Duration: 2 Days 568km’s
Start Location: Poppy Lane Galston
Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Overnight Stay: The Clairfield Hotel, Mudgee
Dining Highlight: Gigi’s
Day Two Lunch Stop: Mountain Culture Brewery - Katoomba

Day 1 — Galston to Mudgee

Route

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

Day 1 Leg 1: 190km Google Map

Day 1 Leg 2: 156km Google Map

Morning Drive

The tour begins at Poppy Lane Galston 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. Coffee stop at The Hive Berambing along the way. Petrol stop in Lithgow.

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 Family Hotel, a relaxed and reliable stop in the heart of Bathurst, with a cold main steam beer on tap!

Afternoon Drive — Gold Rush Country

After lunch, petrol refill in town then 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. Quick petrol stop in Wattle Flat if needed to make it to the end!

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 Gigi’s, 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 → Katoomba → Sydney

Day 2 Leg 3: 222km Google Map

Morning Departure

After breakfast, the tour departs Mudgee after petrol stop in town, 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

Refuel Espresso Bar

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, (Quick petrol stop) 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 Katoomba for lunch.

Lunch in Katoomba

Lunch is at Mountain Culture Brewery, a relaxed and well-regarded Blue Mountains stop before the final run home. Another beer on tap ready for you!

Final Leg

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

Central Tablelands Driving Tour

Sydney - Mudgee - Sydney

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 Galston, 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 Katoomba.

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.