The many wonderful small towns around NSW can easily be overlooked when travelling between cities. But between historic buildings, vintage shops, cobblestone roads and lovely beaches, these under-the-radar spots offer some truly unmissable adventures that are worth a stopover. If you’re looking to catch the cosiest landscapes of the season without travelling too far from the city, we recommend a leaf-peeping adventure in Bilpin. Tucked away in the heart of the Blue Mountains and just over an hour’s drive from Sydney, this cute-as-a-button town is an excellent day trip from the city, promising fresh produce, botanic gardens, cosy cabins and excellent views. It’s famous for its apples and cool climate which makes autumn the perfect time to visit. This cool, crisp air won’t stick around for long, so plan a day trip while you can. Check out our weekend guide to Bilpin.
Bilpin, NSW
The town is called the Land of the Mountain Apple so a day out in Bilpin naturally calls for some apple picking. You’ll find a variety of fruit and nuts to pick throughout the year and from January to June, you can find fresh apples to pick. Some places where you can pick your own apples to make delicious pies, cider or to take home include Bilpin Springs Orchard, Shields Orchard, Bilpin Fruit Bowl and TNT Produce but remember to call or email first to avoid disappointment.
For more fresh produce to take home, Bilpin markets are open every Saturday from 10am-12pm at the Bilpin District Hall and offer fruit, vegetables, flowers, honey, handmade garments and morning tea.
The local hotspot to visit for autumn foliage is Wildwood Garden featuring a variety of cool climate plants in a picturesque woodland setting. During autumn, the deciduous trees and shrubs turn from green to glorious hues of red, orange and yellow. Also, a must-visit is the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah, featuring thousands of spectacular cool climate plants from around Australia and the world. It’s 1000 metres above sea level so you can expect some pretty stunning panoramic views.
A little tip for nature lovers, although the famous glow worm tunnel walking track in Wollemi National Park is currently closed, you can see some of the best glow worm sights in NSW here, especially near the waterfall at Burralow Creek in lower Grose Valley.
How to get to Bilpin
Bilpin is about a 90km drive from Sydney and can be reached within 90 minutes from the city. You can also take a train from Central to Richmond Station and then hop on the 682 bus towards Berambing to reach Bilpin.
Get more information about Bilpin here.