Only an hour and a half from Sydney, the Bells Line of Road winds through Bilpin, Berambing and Mount Wilson, a scenic drive that invites you into apple country, mountain air and farm-fresh flavours.
This route forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains Drive loop and offers a slower, more scenic alternative to the Great Western Highway. You’ll wind through lush bushland, misty ridgelines and hillsides adorned with orchards before linking to the south (Katoomba) side of the Mountains via Mount Victoria, the perfect blend of road trip and retreat.
Explore this produce-rich region with our suggested route to savour good food, sip local flavours, wander through nature and spark a little curiosity along the way.
1. Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin
Start your day at Hillbilly Cider, where rustic charm meets award-winning brews. The cider shed pours craft ciders, beers and wines, including limited editions you’ll only find here. Enjoy a wood-fired pizza, live weekend music, and plenty of sunshine with space for kids and four-legged friends.
2. Bilpin Cider, Bilpin
A short trip up the hill leads you to Bilpin Cider, home to iconic crisp ciders made from locally grown apples and pears. Pull up a seat beneath the shady trees, tuck into a hearty burger, and breathe in the country air. Don’t forget to say hello to the resident mini donkeys and alpacas, a trip highlight!
3. The Old Shed Distillery, Bilpin
The Old Shed Distillery blends heritage and craft in every pour. It produces small-batch gin and vodka infused with native botanicals, best enjoyed by the fire or on the deck. Relax with a backdrop of mountain views and the spirit of this lovingly restored space, adorned with reclaimed farming machinery.
4. MELANGE Restaurant, Bilpin
By lunchtime, MELANGE Restaurant is waiting. The menu is extensive, featuring an array of dishes that transform local produce into seasonal feasts. Wine-pairing is part of the journey, with each selection carefully chosen to complement the dining experience.
5. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Take a detour up the escarpment to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah. Wander paths filled with cool-climate gardens showcasing alpine and temperate species. Search for the lookouts that stretch beyond tree canopies and keep an eye out for the famous dinosaur tree, the Wollemi pine.
Foodie favourites along the way
Bells Line of Road is filled with rustic farm gates and country bakeries, perfect for refuelling between stops. The Fruit Bowl is a popular spot to turn your hand at fruit picking, especially during apple and stone fruit season.
For a fresh-baked treat, pop into The Grumpy Baker for classic pastries or Pie in the Sky for their famous golden, flaky pies. Make sure you don’t miss The Hive in Berambing, a charming stop with beautiful views known for its bush honey, coffee, and homemade cakes.
Bells Line stays
Why not linger longer at these relaxing retreats?
Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain
Tucked into the quiet folds of Bowen Mountain, Spicers Sangoma Retreat is where luxury softens into landscape. Here, bushland wraps around you like a warm dusk, and days move at the pace of the breeze through the scribbly gums. Immerse in a fire-side soak, a slow breakfast, a dip in the infinity pool while bellbirds echo across the valley.
Dennarque Estate, Mount Wilson
Finish your day in luxury. Dennarque Estate is a heritage garden and boutique retreat high in Mount Wilson. Perched on 24 acres, select from secluded cosy lodges to call home. It’s a place to rest or take time out to roam the manicured paths, or simply sit by your fireplace and let the quiet settle in.
Bilpin Lodge, Bilpin
For those looking to linger, Bilpin Lodge offers relaxed country accommodation surrounded by gardens, orchards and native bush. With plenty of space to stay, open fireplaces and farm animals to meet, it’s the perfect base for families and groups or to host a corporate getaway experiencing Bilpin’s peaceful rhythm.
Take your time on the Bells Line of Road, a journey best enjoyed slowly, with comforting food, great company, and the ever-changing beauty of the Blue Mountains unfolding around every bend.