Overview
There are three essential ingredients to any stellar road trip (aside from a reliable vehicle, of course): good snacks, good tunes and good company. If, for you, the latter includes friends of the four-legged variety, we've got a recommendation for your next destination: the Blue Mountains.
We know what you're thinking: the Blue Mountains is mostly national parkland, which isn't dog-friendly. But scratch beneath the surface and you'll discover there is plenty to do in the region when you have puppy passengers. This handy itinerary will take you up the mountains along the Great Western Highway, before returning to Sydney via Bells Line of Road. Want to do it in reverse? Go for it, we don't make the rules.
Chris Jamieson
GLENBROOK
Your first stop is barely outside Sydney's limits, but you'll feel immediately immersed in the Blue Mountains' surrounds (albeit with a little noise from the nearby highway). The Lapstone Zig Zag Walk is a dog-friendly trail that starts from the end of Knapsack Street in Glenbrook.
Meander along the rocky bush track until you reach the Knapsack Viaduct, a stunning sandstone arch viaduct that was built between 1863–1865. Follow the trail down into the gully for arguably the best views of the arches, then continue up to the Elizabeth Lookout for stellar views back across Penrith. Be warned: this hike has a lot of stairs and you'll need to keep your pooch on a lead.
Once you've tired out your glutes and worked up a solid appetite, head into the town centre to refuel at Kickaboom. This peppy little cafe will set you straight with Reuben Hills coffee — or if you're feelin' fancy, a Speculatte, featuring Dutched spiced biscuits. Pair your drink with reuben eggs benedict or its signature fried chicken waffle, slathered in miso butterscotch sauce. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables here.
Destination NSW
LAWSON
Keep making your way up the Great Western Highway towards Lawson. There are several pet-friendly walks in the vicinity to choose from. First up, is the Terrace Falls Circuit, an easy 2.1km loop walk that begins at Lake Road, a seven-minute drive from Hazelbrook. Alternatively, you can try the Horseshoe Falls track, a relatively short trail that takes you past a bunch of waterfalls to admire.
By far the most popular pup-friendly trail in the area is the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit. This 2.5km circuit passes by Adelina Falls, Junction Falls, Federal Falls and Cataract Falls and is best visited after it's been raining (provided you don't mind getting a little muddy). Alternatively, let your furry friend enjoy some off-leash time at the nearby Former Lawson Golf Course, which is now a 24-hour dog park.
Destination NSW
KATOOMBA
By now, you've most certainly earned a drink so swing by Mountain Culture for a beer. This Katoomba-based spot churns out some of the most creative craft brews in the country — fans of super juicy, hazy blends will be particularly pleased. Wind down after a big day with an NEIPA or oat cream IPA and a beef or fried chicken burger (and perhaps a few fries for Fido).
Destination NSW
Time to check into your accommodation for the night: Lilianfels Resort and Spa. This five-star luxury hotel in Katoomba has a BYO dog package, which includes a deluxe resort view room, room service brekkie, and a dog bed, bowl and complimentary treat for your pooch. Beyond your room, the resort has a tennis court, a day spa, pools and several on-site dining options. Alternatively, the Fairmont Resort in nearby Leura also has two pet-friendly rooms available that include fenced courtyards.
The next morning, make a quick stop at much-loved local bakery Black Cockatoo to stock up on top-shelf snack supplies before setting off on more adventures. The dog-friendly Minnehaha Falls track, which starts at the end of Minni Ha Ha Road in Katoomba, is about 1.5km in length. Though it has quite a steep descent, including a couple of staircases, your efforts will be well rewarded when you arrive at the stunning waterfall. On a balmy day, you can even take a dip in the swimming hole beneath the falls. If you want to venture a little further, Mount Victoria has a number of dog-friendly tracks to try, including Fairy Bower Track and the Little Zig Zag Walk.
Minnehaha Falls via Flickr
Spend the afternoon soaking up the facilities at your accommodation. Then, if you and pup have one final walk of the day left in you (don't worry, it's a short one), check out the recently opened Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk. The 1.3km stroll allows you to see a number of the region's top features, including Orphan Rock, Witches Leap and even The Three Sisters, after dark. The path lights and floodlights are turned on at dusk and off at 10.30pm, but it's recommended you BYO a personal light source (like a flashlight), too. Dogs must remain on-leash.
Destination NSW
BILPIN
Start the day by driving along the Darling Causeway. This will connect you to Bells Line of Road to complete the second half of your Blue Mountains loop. Feeling a little hiked out? Good news: this end of the journey is more of a workout for your taste buds than your legs. Your first stop must be The Grumpy Baker in Bilpin for Single O coffee and baked treats — the rugelach is a personal fave. You may also want to grab a frozen family pie or lasagne for dinner later.
Bilpin is famous for its apple orchards so you can expect the next few hours to be a full-on fruit fest. Most orchards are only open for a few months of the year for fruit-picking and aren't pet-friendly, so if Rex is with you, that's not on the cards (though it's worth calling a few to check, just in case). But you can get striaght to the good stuff by visiting the town's two premier cideries: Bilpin Cider and Hillbilly Cider. Both are dog-friendly and offer plenty of non-alcoholic ciders, so the designated driver needn't miss out.
Food-wise, you can grab a picnic hamper from Bilpin Cider's on-site restaurant and make the most of the ten-acre farm, home to sheep, alpacas and beautiful flowers. Or, grab a picnic table in the garden overlooking the orchard at Hillbilly Cider and enjoy Neapolitan-style woodfired pizzas.
Destination NSW
KURRAJONG
Reward your pooch for being a very good plus-one on your day of foodie adventures by visiting Kurrajong Bark Park. This off-leash park is open 24 hours a day and has different sections for big and small pups and agility equipment — plus, epic views, a mobile cafe and plenty of seating for owners to enjoy.
Melanie Colwell
Your accommodation for the evening is based in Grose Vale, just outside Kurrajong. Ding Dang Doo is a picturesque 30-acre estate that has six stays available, ranging from glamping tents and self-contained cottages for two people to a larger farmhouse and a homestead for larger groups. All options are pup-friendly. The property offers access to a number of bushwalks, plus kayaks you can borrow to go for a paddle on the lake. You can also feed the resident horses, sheep and chooks.
Melanie Colwell
You absolutely mustn't leave this region without tucking into an apple pie. So, before beginning your final leg back to Sydney, take a quick drive back towards Bilpin to hit one of the bakeries on the local council's apple pie trail. There are a couple of strong contenders for the best in the area, but our pick is Pie in the Sky Roadhouse, topped with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream, of course.
Melanie Colwell
TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH YOUR DOG
Road trips can be daunting for our furry friends, so we have a few tips from pet expert Dr Leigh Davidson to help you out:
- Familiarise them with the car from a young age if you can — start with shorter journeys to fun places (like dog parks) so they get comfortable and learn that car trips equal fun.
- Buckle 'em up in the back seat — you can use a crate, a booster seat or a seatbelt attachment. We're using the Yellow Daisy harness and car restraint from Pablo & Co.
- Stick to routine mealtimes.
- Make regular stops so Milo can stretch his legs and do his business.
Transport for this Blue Mountains guide was provided to Concrete Playground by Toyota.
Top image: The Grumpy Baker, Melanie Colwell