Richmond to Wildwood Garden: A Bloom-Filled Bells Line Road Trip from Sydney

Why this drive belongs on your NSW bucket-list

In under an hour, you can swap city skylines for sweeping valley views, cool-climate orchards and a 10-hectare woodland garden that erupts in spring blossom and autumn reds. It’s the perfect sampler of Greater Sydney’s north-west-history, scenery and fresh produce bundled into a carefree loop, fully mapped for you on Go Drivin.

Wildwood Garden
image by Wildwood Garden

Quick trip snapshot

Start

Finish

 Distance 

Pure drive time

Ideal season

Richmond town centre

Wildwood Garden, Bilpin

~50 km

~1h:10 min

Spring bloom (Aug-Nov) or Autumn colour (Mar-Jun)

(Add 2–6 hrs for stops, photos and garden time.)

1. Historic Richmond – coffee & convict tales

Start your journey in Richmond, a heritage town nestled beside the Hawkesbury River. Immerse yourself in the colonial charm of Richmond Park, perhaps finding shade under its 1880s pavilion. Fuel up with a coffee on Windsor Street, then wander the Georgian streetscapes, perhaps with a flat white in hand, before stepping into the Hawkesbury Regional Museum to trace the Macquarie-era town plan. Pick up the free Heritage Highlights booklet for a self-guided walk from the Visitor Information Centre @ 1/328 Hawkesbury Valley Way, Richmond NSW 2753. Alternatively download a PDF from here.

Historic Richmond
Historic Richmond by Discover the Hawkesbury
Don’t miss

  • Georgian shopfronts around East Market Street
  • Weekend produce stalls at Richmond Good Food Market (Sat mornings)
  • Sky-gazing if RAAF aircraft are training overhead
  • RG McCartneys – pies and coffee from a local favourite
  • Hawkesbury Regional Gallery – small but impressive local art

2. The climb to Bellbird Hill Lookout

Drive out through North Richmond, follow Kurrajong Road and climb into the lower Blue Mountains via the Bells Line of Road - a scenic alternative to the more crowded Great Western Highway.

Richmond Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
Richmond Bridge by Discover the Hawkesbury
Pull into Bellbird Hill Lookout to watch the Hawkesbury flood-plain unfurl all the way to Sydney Harbour Bridge on a clear day. Clean facilities and caravan-friendly parking make it a stellar picnic or drone spot. 

Bell Bird Hill Lookout
Bell Bird Hill Lookout by DNSW

3. Stroll the village charms of Kurrajong

Just a few minutes past Bellbird Hill, Kurrajong is worth the short detour. This peaceful mountain village is a gentle mix of history, art, and small-town charm. Known for its cafés, galleries and antique stores - this is a great mid-morning stop. Perfect for a wander and stretch to browse local shops, enjoy a relaxed brunch, or pick up some handmade honey and gifts before heading into orchard country.

Lochiel House, Kurrajong Heights
 Lochiel House, Kurrajong Heights by DNSW
Top local stops:

  • The Village Kitchen Kurrajong – rustic café with valley views and a killer brunch
  • Kurrajong General Store – old-time charm and good coffee
  • The Honey Shed – local raw honey and beeswax goodies
  • Kurrajong Village Market – second Sunday of the month
Kurrajong village
Kurrajong village by DNSW

Time your visit with the monthly Kurrajong Village Market (2nd Sunday) for local crafts, produce and friendly country vibes.

4. Orchard country & cider in Bilpin

The Pine Crest Orchard
The Pine Crest Orchard by Maksym Kozlenko

Next comes Bilpin—“Land of the Mountain Apple.” The air gets cooler, the trees taller, and the road winds gently toward Bilpin. This mountain hamlet is apple country-and proud of it. Whether it’s fruit-picking, fresh juice, or hand-crafted cider, there’s plenty to taste. Between September and May many orchards offer pick-your-own fruit; year-round. Drop into Hillbilly Cider Co. or Bilpin Cider Co. for fresh-crushed tastings, apple-pie, and a selfie with the Bilpin Cider resident alpacas. 

Bilpin Cider Alpacas
Bilpin Cider Alpacas by DNSW
Other tasty detours:

  • roadside honey stalls
  • Hillbilly Cider – woodfired pizza and a friendly garden bar (Fri-Sun)
  • Pie in the Sky Roadhouse (Bilpin) – handmade pies with a flaky, buttery crust
Pie In The Sky Bilpin
Pie In The Sky Bilpin by Liam Foster DPIE

Depending on the time of year, you may find cherry blossoms in spring, apples in autumn, or cool misty mornings that feel a world away from Sydney.

5. Nature’s Grand Finale: Wildwood Garden in living colour

Turn left into Powells Road and end your day in full colour when you step into Wildwood Garden - a 10-hectare landscaped haven in Bilpin. It’s a private garden bursting with flowering trees, camellias, mature Japanese maples, waterfalls, water features, sculpture walks, and a lakeside lawn perfect for a BYO hamper. 

Check opening times here.

Wildwood Garden
Wildwood Garden by DNSW.

  • Autumn (Mar-Jun): blazing maples and the annual Salvia Show (12-20 Apr 2025) Wildwood Garden
  • Spring (Aug-Nov): cherries, camellias, wisteria and massed bulbs.

The boutique nursery lets you take a slice of the garden home, while the gift shop stocks quirky garden décor.

6. Practical road-trip tips

  • Timing: Leave Sydney by 8 am to beat traffic and arrive at Wildwood before lunchtime.
  • Fuel & food: Last major servo before the climb is in North Richmond.
  • Weather: Pack layers - Bilpin can be 5 °C cooler than Richmond year-round.
  • Navigation: Download the Go Drivin route in advance for offline turn-by-turn guidance (mobile reception can dip in the foothills).

Ready to roll?

Fire up the engine, cue your favourite playlist and explore this Drive - and dozens more - on Go Drivin.
This is just one of many regional road trips hand-curated by Go Drivin - designed to help you discover the stories, stops, and sights that make NSW so special, so all you need to do is, well… go drivin’.

👉 Start the Drive here

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