New South Wales » Bells Line of Road :-

Bells Line of Road is situated within the magnificent Blue Mountains, approximately one hour drive north of Sydney. Bells Line of Road took its name from Archibald Bell Junior, the explorer who at the age of just nineteen years crossed what was to become one of the most scenic routes across the Blue Mountains.

The Bells Line of Road makes its way through beautiful fertile farmland and offers a blend of pretty bushland scenery and sandstone cliffs.

During your journey along the Bells Line of Road you will be treated to great views out towards the coast and across the fantastic bushland scenery. There are also many walking tracks with various levels of difficulty.

As you ascend the Kurrajong Heights you can enjoy spectacular views across the Sydney region. More fabulous views can be seen from Bellbird Hill Lookout. If you travel off Bells Line of Road onto Heritage Road and Mountain View Close you should be able to hear Bellbirds singing. If you feel like some action, the Kurrajong Heights Grass Ski Park is located nearby and offers grass skiing and go-karting.

Further along the Bells Line of Road are the towns of Bilpin and Berambing, which are famous for apple and stone fruit orchards. You can buy the delicious, locally grown produce from the many roadside stalls.

There are also various gardens that you can enjoy when visiting Bells Line of Road, including Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens. The botanic gardens cover an area of 28 hectares featuring cool climate plants from across the globe, with plants being grouped according to their geographic origin.

Just 8 km north of the Bells Line of Road are the outstanding private gardens of Mt Wilson, many open to the public. Situated over 1000 metres above sea level, Mt Wilson encapsulates nature with its colourful scenery and tree lined streets. Mt Wilson is home to the amazing Cathedral of Ferns.

This rainforest area integrates a number of walking tracks under a spectacular canopy of Sassafras, Coachwoods and Ferns. It is also home to a large picnic area and huge Eucalyptus trees, including one called ‘Giant Tree', which ascend above the many vines and ferns.

Lithgow is located at the end of the Bells Line of Road. Just outside of Lithgow is the Zig Zag Railway, a preservation society run tourist railway. The railway operates a number of trains including steam trains that travel across three wonderful sandstone viaducts, during the 210m descent from Clarence Station to Bell. Journey times are roughly 1 1/2 hours for a round trip. As a general rule the Steam Trains operate on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and NSW school holidays with alternative trains running on other days.

Along your journey there are numerous opportunities to stop and absorb the surrounding beauty. There is something for the garden lover, the outdoor enthusiast, the photographer, the romantic and tourist alike. Accommodation includes quality Bed and Breakfasts, Health Resorts, Motels and Apartments.

Images on this page courtesy of Mark O'Carrigan of Hatters Hideout.

Attractions
Buggy Xtreme (Adventure)
ADDRESS: Colo Heights, Hawkesbury
TOWN / CITY, COUNTRY: Bells Line of Road, New South Wales 2756 - Australia
DESCRIPTION: Feel the adrenalin start as you strap yourself in the drivers seat of a real off road race buggy. YOU are the driver from the beginning and your navigator is an experienced off road racer who will teach you how to get the best from this machine.You race on a long purpose built course at The Sydney Off Road Racing Association track.Plenty of slide, plenty of air,release that race driver within you.

Events
Autumn Harvest Food and Wine at Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens (EVENT)
DATE / TIME: 03 May 2008 - 03 May 2008 (9.00am - 4.00pm)
LOCATION: Mount Tomah, Bells Line of Road, New South Wales - Australia
DESCRIPTION: Autumn Harvest Food & Wine Fair is a definite must for foodies with fresh produce, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting from Mudgee and a gourmet sausage sizzle. Held in the gardens grounds at Blue Mountains Mt Tomah Gardens.

Breenhold Gardens Annual SpringFest Concert (EVENT)
DATE / TIME: 26 October 2008 - 26 October 2008 (Recitals commence at 12.30pm)
LOCATION: Mount Wilson, Bells Line of Road, New South Wales - Australia
DESCRIPTION: On again this year is the Annual SpringFest Concert Picnic day at Breenhold. So come along bring a picnic lunch, a drink or two and a rug or fold-up chair for a relaxing day and concert. Stroll at leisure in their 45 hectares of parkland, walled gardens, stone pathways among feature pools, hundreds

Restaurants
Toque Restaurant and Cafe (Modern Australian, Mediterranean)
85 Old Bells Line Of Kurrajong, New South Wales 2758
Kurrajong