6-Day Western NSW Harley Road Trip
We have given riders a good mix of twisty motorcycle roads, country towns, mountain scenery, historic sites, lookouts and Central West NSW riding. Destination NSW also highlights the Sydney–Bathurst–Orange–Dubbo corridor as a major NSW road-trip route.
Starting Point: Gladesville, NSW
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Direction: Western NSW
Type: Motorcycle road trip / Scenic riding / Country roads
Best suited to: Harley-Davidson and touring motorcycles
Approximate total distance: 1,200–1,400 km depending on detours
DAY 1 – Gladesville → Blue Mountains → Bathurst
Approximate riding: 220 km
Leave Gladesville early and head west through Sydney before climbing into the Blue Mountains.
Suggested route: Gladesville → Parramatta → Penrith → Glenbrook → Springwood → Wentworth Falls → Katoomba → Blackheath → Mount Victoria → Lithgow → Bathurst
Scenic stops
📍 Wentworth Falls – spectacular Blue Mountains views.
📍 Echo Point, Katoomba – Three Sisters and Jamison Valley.
📍 Govetts Leap, Blackheath – one of the great Blue Mountains lookouts.
📍 Mount Victoria – historic mountain village and gateway to the Central West.
📍 Lithgow – excellent place for a coffee and fuel stop.
📍 Mount Panorama, Bathurst – finish the day with a lap around Australia’s famous motor-racing circuit.
🛏️ Overnight – Bathurst
Recommended: Bathurst Motor Inn
Bathurst Motor Inn
Website: www.bathurstmotorinn.com.au
Phone: 02 6331 2222
Address: 87 Durham Street, Bathurst NSW 2795
We are a family run Motel centrally located in the heart of the city and only a short stroll to shopping centres, cafes & restaurants. The motel has free off-street parking, including trailer and truck parking, which makes it particularly practical for riders travelling with trailers or extra equipment.
Alternative: Country Lodge Motor Inn 145 William Street, Bathurst. Phone: 02 6331 4888
Country Lodge specifically promotes itself as a friendly location for motor club meetings and V8 racing visitors.
DAY 2 – Bathurst → Hill End → Orange
Approximate riding: 250–280 km depending on route
Today is where the trip starts feeling like a true NSW motorcycle adventure.
Leave Bathurst and head north-west towards the historic gold-mining town of Hill End.
Suggested route: Bathurst → Sofala → Hill End → Hargraves → Mudgee area → Orange
Scenic & motorcycle stops
📍 Sofala – historic gold-mining village and a great country-road stop.
📍 Hill End Historic Site – one of NSW’s most fascinating gold-rush towns.
📍 Turon Valley – beautiful country scenery and winding roads.
📍 Mount Canobolas – spectacular views over the Orange region.
The NSW National Parks Orange-to-Dubbo itinerary specifically recommends the region around Hill End, Mount Canobolas and Goobang National Park for its combination of gold-mining history, bushland and panoramic scenery.
🛏️ Overnight – Orange
Recommended: The Oriana Orange – Retro Hotel & Resort
The Oriana Orange - Retro Hotel & Resort
Web: www.orianaorange.com
Phone: 02 6362 3066
Address: 178–184 Woodward Street, Orange NSW 2800
The Oriana Orange is a complete luxury escape in the heart of Orange. Featuring sophisticated Cocktail Bars, Plush Salons, and the glamorous Peacock Room. Customer Service 24/7. Free City Guides. Best Rates Guaranteed.
Alternative: Royal Hotel Orange 232 Lords Place, Orange NSW 2800 Phone: 02 6362 1855
Orange is an excellent overnight location because it puts you right in the heart of the Central West and sets you up for the ride towards Dubbo.
DAY 3 – Orange → Molong → Wellington → Dubbo
Approximate riding: 160–190 km
This is a more relaxed riding day, giving you plenty of time to explore the towns and attractions.
Suggested route: Orange → Molong → Wellington → Dubbo
Scenic stops
📍 Molong – historic country town with great cafés and old-world character.
📍 Wellington – gateway to the Macquarie Valley.
📍 Wellington Caves – fascinating limestone caves and fossils.
📍 Macquarie River – worthwhile stop before continuing to Dubbo.
📍 Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden – a relaxing afternoon stop.
📍 Old Dubbo Gaol – interesting piece of Central West history.
If you have enough time, Taronga Western Plains Zoo is another major attraction in Dubbo, although I’d recommend allowing several hours if you want to properly experience it.
🛏️ Overnight – Dubbo
Recommended: Dubbo RSL Motel
Dubbo RSL Motel
Phone: 02 6884 9099
Address: 173 Brisbane Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
The motel has a quiet off-highway location, security parking, free Wi-Fi and access to the adjoining club facilities. Located in the heart of the CBD. We have Queen size beds, FREE wireless internet, executive spa …
Alternative: Across Country Motor Inn | Dubbo Motel Accommodation
85 Whylandra Street, Dubbo NSW 2830. Phone: 02 6882 0877
Across Country has on-site parking and a range of rooms, including self-contained options.
DAY 4 – Dubbo → Narromine → Wellington → Mudgee
Approximate riding: 200–230 km
Today you turn back towards the east, but rather than simply retracing your route, take some different country roads towards Mudgee.
Suggested route: Dubbo → Narromine → Wellington → Gulgong → Mudgee
Scenic & motorcycle stops
📍 Narromine – classic Central West town and aviation history.
📍 Wellington – stop for fuel and refreshments.
📍 Gulgong – one of Australia’s most interesting historic country towns.
📍 Gulgong Pioneer Museum – excellent optional attraction.
📍 Mudgee wine region – beautiful countryside surrounding the town.
Mudgee is a great motorcycle destination because riders can combine country roads with food, wineries, historic buildings and surrounding rural scenery.
🛏️ Overnight – Mudgee
Recommended: Winning Post Motor Inn
Winning Post Motor Inn
Web: www.winningpostmotorinn.com.au
Phone: 02 6372 3333
Address: 101 Church Street, Mudgee NSW 2850
Email: admin@winningpostmotorinn.com.au
It sits a short 10-minute walk from the town center and offers an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, onsite dining, and rooms featuring smart TVs and mini-bars
Alternative: The Horatio Motel 15 Horatio Street, Mudgee Phone: 02 6372 7727
DAY 5 – Mudgee → Rylstone → Sofala → Lithgow
Approximate riding: 220–260 km
This is potentially one of the best riding days of the entire trip.
Leave Mudgee and head through the winding roads towards Rylstone and the Capertee region before arriving back into the Blue Mountains.
Suggested route: Mudgee → Lue → Rylstone → Kandos → Capertee → Lithgow
Scenic stops
📍 Rylstone – beautiful historic village.
📍 Kandos – interesting country town and former industrial centre.
📍 Capertee Valley – spectacular mountain scenery.
📍 Capertee Valley Lookouts – fantastic motorcycle photography opportunities.
📍 Hassan’s Walls Lookout, Lithgow – one of the best sunset viewpoints in the region.
📍 Lake Lyell – another worthwhile scenic stop near Lithgow.
🛏️ Overnight – Lithgow
Recommended: Lithgow Valley Motel
Lithgow Valley Motel
Web: www.lithgowvalleymotel.com.au
Phone: 02 6351 2334
Address: 45–49 Cooerwull Road, Lithgow NSW 2790
Email: lithgowvalleymotel@hotmail.com
The motel offers parking at the door and even accommodates heavy vehicles, making it a practical option for travellers on the road.
Alternative: Lithgow Workies Club Motel 3 Tank Street, Lithgow NSW 2790 Ph: 02 6350 7777
It’s close to the town centre and is also well positioned for attractions including Hassan’s Walls Lookout and the historic Zig Zag Railway.
DAY 6 – Lithgow → Blue Mountains → Gladesville
Approximate riding: 150–180 km
The final day takes you back through the Blue Mountains, giving you another opportunity to enjoy some of Australia’s best motorcycle roads.
Suggested route: Lithgow → Mount Victoria → Blackheath → Katoomba → Leura → Wentworth Falls → Glenbrook → Penrith → Gladesville
Scenic stops
📍 Mount Victoria
📍 Blackheath
📍 Govetts Leap
📍 Katoomba / Echo Point
📍 Leura
📍 Wentworth Falls
📍 Glenbrook
Then head back across Sydney to Gladesville and complete the six-day loop.
If you’d like to break up the final day, Katoomba is an excellent lunch stop. The 3 Sisters Motel, for example, is only about 400 metres from Echo Point and has free parking near the rooms.
🗺️ Six-Day Route at a Glance
Day | Route | Overnight |
1 | Gladesville → Blue Mountains → Lithgow → Bathurst | 🛏️ Bathurst |
2 | Bathurst → Sofala → Hill End → Orange | 🛏️ Orange |
3 | Orange → Molong → Wellington → Dubbo | 🛏️ Dubbo |
4 | Dubbo → Narromine → Wellington → Gulgong → Mudgee | 🛏️ Mudgee |
5 | Mudgee → Rylstone → Kandos → Capertee → Lithgow | 🛏️ Lithgow |
6 | Lithgow → Blue Mountains → Katoomba → Gladesville | 🏁 Gladesville |
