Blue Mountains and Beyond Road Trip

Day One: Sydney to Katoomba (Blue Mountains): 110 km
Highlights: Wentworth Falls, Scenic World, Three Sisters

Day Two: Blue Mountains to Mudgee: 186 km
Highlights: Jenolan Caves, Hartley Historic Site, Bathurst

Day Three: Mudgee to Hunter Valley Wine Country: 273 km
Highlights: Cheese and wine trails, Mudgee Observatory, The Mudgee Brewery Co

Day Four: Hunter Valley Wine Country full day
Highlights: Hot-air Ballooning, winery tours, luxury day spa

Day Five: Hunter Valley to Sydney: 158 km
Highlights: Join a dolphin watch cruise on the calm waters of Nelson Bay, or if you want more excitement go sand-boarding or 4WD in Port Stephens before continuing your journey back to Sydney.

Day One: Sydney to Katoomba (Blue Mountains): 110 km
Begin your journey by heading west from Sydney along the Great Western Highway and following the signs to the Blue Mountains, where picturesque towns are surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. Walks through this famous World Heritage-listed national park provide panoramic views reaching to the horizon, waterfalls cascading to valleys below and glimpses of native wildlife in their natural habitat. Visit the Wentworth Falls and Valley of the Waters, a spectacular network of lookouts and bushwalking trails providing dramatic views of cliff-top escarpments and endless blue vistas of the Jamison Valley. Carry on to the quaint town of Leura, known as the garden village, and full of great galleries, antique stores, restaurants, cafés and delis. Travelling by the scenic Cliff Drive, arrive at Echo Point, Katoomba. This lookout provides breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary and the Jamison Valley. At Scenic World, catch a cable car across the valley, or descend to the rainforest boardwalk in the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway. Overnight in the Blue Mountains.

Day Two: Blue Mountains to Mudgee: 186 km
First stop this morning is Blackheath, home to a terrific selection of cafés and delis. Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout provide spectacular views over the Grose Valley, and a range of walking trails wind along the escarpment and descend into the valley. The nearby Megalong Valley is the premier spot for horse riding in the region. Carrying on, just past Hartley Historic Site is the turnoff to the world-famous Jenolan Caves. A lovely scenic drive provides stunning views back towards the escarpment. The road winds through beautiful bushland and under the famous Grand Arch. There are nine magnificent show caves open for inspection and regular tours, including adventure tours. Enjoy your drive on through Lithgow and past the Gardens of Stone National Park where 'Pagoda' rock formations cluster near sandstone escarpments, and where erosion has sculpted beehive-shaped domes and other forms. Banksia, dwarf casurinas and other wind-pruned heathland plants give the area its garden-like appearance. You can take a detour and follow the road to Bathurst if you are curious to discover what a city famous for V8 Supercar racing looks like. Bathurst is a gateway to former gold-rush towns, boasting colonial buildings and grand old homes built for wealthy graziers. By the end of the day you will find yourself in Mudgee. Overnight Mudgee.

Day Three: Mudgee to Hunter Valley Wine Country 273 km
Mudgee is an elegant and historical town, located in the scenic, natural setting of the Cudgegong Valley, 282 km north-west of Sydney. From the fertile farmland surrounds comes great local produce, available at cafés and restaurants in town, farm gate sales and gourmet food outlets. Taste some fine wines at any one of the cellar door outlets or follow the local cheese and wine trail. Mudgee has a rich pastoral history that's reflected in its heritage streetscapes and museums. Streets are wide and tree-lined, perfect for meandering walks while the night skies are dark here – perfect for viewing the stars from Mudgee Observatory Take Ulan Road out of Mudgee, which will take you through Curryall and Turill State Forests. Continue for 71 km until you reach Golden Highway / State Route 84, which will take you into Hunter Valley Wine Country, and Cessnock. Before you get to Cessnock, you may want to stop at Broke. Broke provides a relaxed vineyard experience. The area is free of large-scale developments, and part of its appeal is that visitors encounter winemakers who are proud of their products and passionate about hand-crafted wines. Overnight Hunter Valley.

Day Four:  Hunter Valley Wine Country: full day
The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine-producing region, offering more than 80 boutique and world-renowned wineries. There's no better way to enjoy quality vino than on a winery tour – choose to ride in a horse-drawn carriage or chauffeur driven limousine! Today you might like to pamper yourself with some of the Hunter's renowned luxury day spa and beauty treatments. Or if you're feeling active, go horse riding in the mountains or bike riding through the vineyards. Golfing fans won't want to miss a round at one of the spectacular golf courses sprinkled throughout the Hunter. For lunch, you'll find many of the wineries feature award-winning restaurants – or you could stock up on delicious local cheeses at the cheese factory. Don't miss the newly opened Hunter Valley Gardens, with 25 hectares of spectacular display gardens, vineyards, a winery and a boutique shopping village. Overnight in the Hunter Valley.

Day Five: Hunter Valley to Sydney: 158 km
Start your day the best way, with a spectacular sunrise balloon flight over the vineyards, followed by a champagne breakfast with Balloon Aloft. On the way back to the coast, take a side-trip to historic Morpeth for home-made fudge and ginger beer. Don't pass up the chance to sample wines from boutique wineries around Australia at the Port Stephens Winery on the way to Nelson Bay. This afternoon, relax on a dolphin or whale-watching cruise from Nelson Bay. Then hit the road – take the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace, travel south of the Pacific Highway and National 1 Freeway to Sydney.

Highlights:

• The natural wonderland surrounding the Blue Mountains.
• The Three Sisters in Katoomba.
• The Scenic Railway and Skyway Cable Car offering superb views over the Katoomba Falls.
• The spectacular limestone formations of the Jenolan Caves.
• Quality local food and wine in the Hunter Valley at more than 120 cellar doors in the region; you can even attend a wine school.
• Local home-made delicacies such as great olives, cheeses and chocolate in the Hunter Valley.