If you’re looking for the perfect weekend away from Sydney that doesn’t require a long journey, then Bilpin is a great choice.

In just over a one and a half hour drive, you can be taking in the dramatic vistas of the Blue Mountains, marvelling at a magical glow worm dell, tasting a range of excellent ciders, strolling the breathtaking botanic garden, picking your own fruit or maybe just tucking into a homemade apple pie!

It really does have something for everyone and the gorgeous tranquil setting gets you relaxing straight away.

Here’s all the things you shouldn’t miss when visiting Bilpin.

1. Find the magnificent glow worm dell
2. Catch a sunset at Rigby Hill
3. Go cider tasting!
4. Stroll through the colourful displays at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
5. Admire the hidden rock art site
6: Treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza & a brew
7: Try everything apple at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl
8. Wander through the Cathedral of Ferns
9. Look for Giant Dragonflys on the Burralow Creek Walk
10. Pick up local produce at the Bilpin Farmers Market
11. Take in the epic views from Walls Lookout
12. Try to spot wild koalas
13. Hike up one of the quietest peaks in the Blue Mountains - Mount Banks
14: Delight in Autumn and Spring colour at Wildwood Garden
15: Adventure to one of the Blue Mountains’ best swimming spots
Where to eat

15 Unmissable things to do in Bilpin

1. Marvel at a magnificent glow worm dell

This is without a doubt the most incredible thing to do in Bilpin. Tucked away down a dirt road at Burralow Creek you’ll find the biggest glow worm colony we’ve seen so far outside of the famous caves in New Zealand. And there’s no tour required either!

The Glow worms at Burralow - Things to do in Bilpin

An easy, flat 1.3km stroll through the forest will see you transported to another world. It’s hard to tell where the glow worms end and the stars begin.

We stayed staring up at the colony for over an hour, transfixed by hundreds and hundreds of twinkling blue lights. To say it was spectacular is an understatement, it really did blow us away.

We’ve got all the details about visiting in this post, including how to look after the glow worms - please don’t shine light on them. They will stop glowing, and seeing them light up the night sky is the joy of being in a glow worm dell anyway!

2. Catch a sunset at Rigby Hill

Bilpin just so happens to have some of the best lookouts in the Blue Mountains and Rigby Hill makes a wonderful spot to sit and watch the sun go down. We couldn’t believe we had such a magnificent view all to ourselves on a weekend!

The walk to get to this spot is only 700m each way and don’t be put off by the sign saying it takes an hour, it only took us 10 minutes each way.

Walking to Rigby Hill for Sunset - Best things to do in Bilpin

There’s a little bit of uphill but nothing overly steep and the track is in great condition. The lookout at the end has a full mountain panorama.

You can see Perrys Lookdown and even right into the valley, to the Grose River. It is an unfenced lookout with a big drop so it might not be for vertigo sufferers, but we absolutely fell in love with it.

You have a full sunset view and watching the sun turn the mountains golden was a magnificent sight. You can then make the short walk back to your car in the twilight.

However, it was incredibly windy on our visit so you might want a jacket - even in summer!

3. Go cider tasting

Bilpin has not one, but two cider companies, Bilpin Cider and Hillbilly Cider (which we’ll share more on later in the article). Starting with Bilpin Cider, we found that it’s more than just a place to go for a tasting.

They’ve made it into a bit of a destination in its own right, with a lovely garden and even an alpaca farm to keep the kids happy.

Although free tastings are no longer offered you can buy a paddle of four ciders for $18, or just pick a couple of bottles, which is what we did. There’s a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic options.

They also sell picnic hampers, so you can grab one of their blankets, a couple of bottles of cider and a basket of food and while away the day under a shady tree in the garden!

Hampers do sell out on busy weekends so you might want to come early or see if you can reserve one.

We tried the raspberry and apple cider and the non alcoholic apple and ginger. Both were great but beware that dry is very dry, so go for a medium if you like a touch of sweetness. The whole vibe is super relaxed and makes for a great way to spend an afternoon.

4. Stroll the colourful displays at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

It took us many years living in Sydney to make it to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah and as soon as we arrived we wondered why we waited so long.

This garden is beautiful, not just with the glorious displays but also with the mountain backdrop, which I think makes it unique.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens - Best things to do in Bilpin

There’s a lot to see and you could easily spend half a day here, but if you are short on time, even an hour will showcase a range of exceptional flowers.

The fragrance in every part of the garden was incredible, it was like someone was walking ahead of us spritzing perfume at every turn.

We saw flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours, many of which we’ve never seen before. If you don’t have time to visit all the different parts of the garden we’d recommend sticking to the area around the Jurassic Garden, where the majority of flowers are.

The forest and woodland walks are lovely, but if you’re no stranger to bush walking you will have seen similar plants and trees before.

The flowers at the Blue Moutains Botanic Garden

Don’t miss the Forest Lookout though, which offers a layered view; starting with rainforest, which is backed by mountains and then you can clearly see the Sydney skyline in the background!

The Residence Garden is the place to head for autumn colour, and whilst it’s small, the colours are sensational.

The gardens are free of charge and we’re told look fabulous at any time of year, but we think spring and autumn are the most beautiful.

5. Admire the hidden rock art site

The aptly named Emu Cave is home to over 100 emu engravings thought to be at least 2000 years old. The engravings are likely made by the Darug and Darkinung people, though the exact origins are unknown.

Many of them are remarkably well preserved despite the fact the cave looks to have been used as a shelter by Thomas Shearwood in the 1800's. Thomas left his own engraving on the rock wall which you'll see just before you reach the cave - 'The Cave Hotel By T Shearwood'.

The walk to reach Emu Cave is only 30m each way and easy. There are a couple of makeshift steps and then it's flat. You can walk an additional 30m along the track leading around the side of the cave to the top, where you will see many distinct axe grinding grooves.

As with all Indigenous sites, please respect them and leave the cave exactly as you found it. If you're read any of our other posts you'll know we always give away exact locations for everywhere we visit, however, due to the fact this is a lesser known rock art site, we don't feel comfortable putting the directions online. Please send us an email and we'll happily share the location with you.

6. Treat yourself to a woodfired pizza and a brew

I know we already have one cider tasting spot in this guide, but honestly it's worth visiting both! Hillbilly Cider has a rustic charm and laid back vibe that instantly makes you feel relaxed. As well as excellent cider (we tried the alcoholic and non alcoholic ciders and both were great) you can also treat yourself to a delicious woodfired pizza.

There's plenty of outdoor picnic benches as well as some covered seating looking out over the greenery.

The only thing that's a bit of a shame is that it doesn't open in the evening as it would make for such a great dinner spot (though you can get pizzas until 6pm on weekends). You can check out the opening hours and special events here.

7. Try all things apple at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl

The Bilpin Fruit Bowl is the most well known place to come and indulge in a bit of pick your own. There’s a variety of apples and peaches available to picked between the end of November and late May.

Unfortunately we didn’t visit in picking season so we couldn’t try it out, but we did pop in to the fruit bowl to try a few of their apple products.

As well as the fruits themselves, there’s apple juice, apple cider vinegar, toffee apples and of course apple pie. Our fave was the cloudy apple juice.

We’d recommend picking up a few bits and finding a spot to enjoy them elsewhere though, as the cafe area is pretty uninspiring.

8. Soak up the tranquility at the Cathedral of Ferns

As soon as I heard the name ‘Cathedral of Ferns’ I knew I had to go, I am a self confessed fern lover! This easy 15 minute walk didn’t disappoint. From just a few seconds in you are completely surrounded by hundreds of ferns and the forest is wonderfully shady and relaxing.

As well as ferns and tree ferns, there are huge trees and lots of hanging vines. There’s also a giant tree which was sadly struck by lightening, so perhaps not quite as giant as it used to be.

The walk is not especially easy to follow so we ended up going all the way up through the forest and out onto a wide path running alongside it.

We realised we’d gone wrong and headed back into the forest to finish it off. For this reason we’d recommend actually walking the trail in the opposite direction to the signpost (starting heading right not left) as it was strangely easier to follow in this direction.

To be honest though, just walking up through the forest and back is just as good. It’s a wonderful place to relax and listen to the sounds of nature.

The Cathedral of Ferns is near Mount Wilson, just over a half an hour drive from Bilpin.

9. Look out for giant dragonflies on the Burralow Creek walk

This is the same walk (1.3km each way) that takes you to the glow worm colony. It’s a lovely easy stroll and nice to see it in the day time too.

As well as walking through a pretty stretch of forest you’ll pass an old convict dug pit, a huge termite mound and an area of swamp which is the habitat of the endangered giant dragonfly.

The Burralow Creek Walk - Things to do in Bilpin

We didn’t get lucky, although we saw masses of small dragonflies! It’s well worth looking out for the giant ones though, which grow to be as big as your hand!

The walk also passes some pretty rocky overhangs before coming into a cool, damp rainforest gully where you’ll find a small waterfall.

The whole scene is really pretty with lots of ferns growing along the cliffs and hanging vines draping across the path.

All the details on the walk are in this post.

10. Pick up some produce at the Bilpin Farmers Market

The Bilpin Farmers Market is a small locals market which is held between 10am - 12pm every Saturday. The stalls are mainly selling fresh produce, including delicious sourdough loaves, vegetables, cakes, jams and honey.

If you want to pick up a few items for breakfast or greens to have with dinner, it’s a lovely place to come.

There are a couple of stalls selling other things such as wooden bowls and beautiful smelling aromatherapy oils, but it’s mainly about the food. There are only a handful of stalls so if you’re really keen I’d come towards opening time because things do sell out.

You can find the market at the Bilpin District Hall where there is plenty of parking.

11. Take in the jaw dropping view at Walls Lookout

Taking in the view from Walls Lookout is a must do. It’s very close to both Mount Banks and Rigby Hill and you could do all three in just a few hours if you’re keen.

The views of the Grose Valley are just awe inspiring and it was yet another spot we got all to ourselves!

It’s an unfenced lookout so it feels completely wild, especially if the wind is howling like it was on our visit!

We headed there for sunset but it would be terrific at any time of day.

The trail to the viewpoint is just 1.3km each way and does have a little bit of uphill walking to do, but the majority is flat. Again the signpost says it takes an hour but it’s more like 15 minutes each way so don’t be deterred!

12. Hunt for wild koalas

I just want to caveat this one by saying that despite the signs all over the area about koalas, they are not easy to see. That didn’t stop us trying though, and whilst we didn’t get lucky this time we did have fun looking.

One of the best places we heard to look is the Gorge Walking Track, just over a 10 minute drive from town (the last part is down a dirt road).

It’s an easy trail with just a small amount of uphill involved, which takes you through a patch of forest (which is still fairly burnt at time of writing) to a shady gorge. We found koala droppings here but sadly no actual koalas! Nevertheless, it was a nice little walk and only 900m long (each way).

The other place we tried was Bellbird Reserve which a local recommended to us as somewhere that had, had recent sightings. You start at the Rotary Lookout, 10 minutes from town, and head down the pathway past the old toilet and along the grass into the reserve.

We did the full loop which is 700m long, keeping a close eye on all the gum trees for signs of life, but sadly it wasn’t to be. It’s a pretty little reserve though so it wasn’t a hardship to go looking.

It is fairly unlikely you will manage to find koalas but people do see them from time to time and if you’re like us you’ll probably want to give it a go anyway!

13. Climb one of the mountains quietest peaks at Mount Banks

If you’re looking for a slightly longer walk, we’d recommend heading 25 minutes out of Bilpin to Mount Banks. You can be standing on the summit in around 30 minutes and though there is no view from the top, the views all the way along the trail are fabulous.

We couldn’t believe that we were the only ones on the whole track and enjoyed sitting in the forest at the trig whilst being serenaded by a couple of resident lyrebirds.

The summit track is just 1.3km long and you can return the same way or make a circuit which is 5.2km long. It’s not a difficult walk, and though it is predominantly uphill it’s rarely that steep.

It’s well worth heading up for the truly gorgeous views along the way.

We have all the details on both routes up to Mount Banks in this post.

14. Delight in autumn and spring colour at Wildwood Garden

Lose yourself for an hour or two wandering the picturesque pathways of Wildwood Garden. Birdlife is abundant throughout the garden and provides the most peaceful backdrop to your stroll.

In fall the trees turn an array of red, gold and orange and the salvias are in bloom which gives a spring feel to the otherwise autumnal garden. Peak colour is generally from ANZAC day to early May, but give them a call ahead of time to check as weather conditions can change this slightly.

Best things to do in Bilpin - Wildwood Garden

Spring is also a wonderful time to visit when the weeping cherry trees, camellias and azaleas are in full bloom.

As well as all the delights of spring and autumn you'll also find a variety of native trees including glorious tree ferns which give the garden a wild feel.

Look out for the quirky gnome collection, which is quite unlike any we've ever seen!

The garden is only open in spring and autumn, from Friday to Monday, check the website ahead of time to make sure it’s open on your dates.

15. Adventure to one of the Blue Mountains best wild swimming spots

This is a hard walk and won't be suitable for everyone. We're currently exploring more swimming spots in the area and will add some easier ones in soon. However if you are comfortable with a steep slippery off track walk, then this spot is for you.

There are some places that you just instantly fall in love with and Wheeny Creek was one of them for us; an uninspiring name for an utterly captivating location. You access the wonders of the creek via an extremely steep walk (5km return) through wild rainforest. It’s by no means easy, but the reward is out of this world.

After emerging from the rainforest. you’ll come to two sensational waterfalls, both with large swimming holes. One has a towering sandstone wall directly behind it, which makes it one of the most dramatic in the Blue Mountains. The other felt like wandering into the Garden of Eden.

All of the details are in this guide, and please note the safety warning at the start of the post.

Bonus for December visitors - Watch fireflies dance through the night sky

If this was a nightly occurrence it would be right at the top of this article with the glow worms because it's a truly magical experience. However, as it only occurs for a few weeks a year in summer, you do have to get lucky with your timings to witness this spectacle.

Just outside Bilpin, at the Cathedral of Ferns, you can stand and watch as flashes of gold illuminate the night sky for around 1-1.5 hours each evening. They fly through the forest and oftentimes just over your head (sometimes even landing on you) in an incredible mating display.

All the details on when this occurs and where exactly to head to is in this post.

Where to eat in Bilpin

You’ll find the reviews for almost every place to eat in Bilpin really mixed online. And to be honest we agree, most places we tried were a mixed bag.

We went for coffee and cake at the Grumpy Baker (which always seems to have a big line!) where the coffee was average, the cup cake was not good at all, but the caramel slice was the best we’ve ever eaten. So good we went back the next day to buy more!

I reckon it’s ideal to have an Airbnb to self cater and then give a couple of places a go and see what you think. Hopefully you get lucky!

Getting to Bilpin

Bilpin is just 90km and roughly a one and a half hour drive from Sydney. It’s 60km and just under an hour from Katoomba.

Whilst you can technically reach Bilpin by public transport, once you get there you won’t be able to get around so you do need your own car to visit.

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