Capertee Valley

Just north of the Blue Mountains, Capertee Valley is a magnificent, lesser-visited wilderness that claims the title of the second-largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon). This vast, eroded landscape of sandstone cliffs, pagoda rock formations, and eucalypt forests feels like a secret escape even on a sunny weekend. The valley is a haven for birdwatchers, hikers, and anyone craving solitude among dramatic geology.

Highlights & What to See

• Pantone's Crown Viewing Platform – A short walk leads to this lookout with jaw-dropping panoramas across the valley's layered cliffs and the distant Wollemi Wilderness.
• Birdwatching at Capertee Valley – The valley is one of Australia's best birding sites, with regent honeyeaters, glossy black-cockatoos, and superb lyrebirds. Bring binoculars.
• Glen Davis – Explore the historic ghost town and former shale-oil mining settlement, with ruins and a quirky museum that tells the valley's industrial past.
• Pagoda Rock Formations – Hike through the eerie, honeycomb-shaped sandstone pagodas in the Gardens of Stone National Park, a surreal landscape unique to this region.
• Dunns Swamp (Ganguddy) – A serene waterhole perfect for kayaking, canoeing, or simply picnicking by the water, surrounded by rugged cliffs and wildlife.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors find that a full day is enough to drive the scenic loop, do a couple of short walks, and soak in the viewpoints. For serious hikers or birders, an overnight stay (camping or in basic accommodation at Glen Davis) allows you to explore deeper trails and catch the dawn chorus. Half-day visits are possible from Lithgow or Mudgee, but you'll be rushed.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Wollemi National Park – Wild, roadless wilderness with ancient Wollemi pines; accessible only by guided tour or multi-day hike.
• Gardens of Stone National Park – Adjacent to Capertee Valley, with even more dramatic pagoda formations and excellent walking tracks.
• Lithgow – A historic industrial town with the Zig Zag Railway, Blast Furnace Park, and a handy base for supplies.
• Mudgee – A charming wine region an hour north, perfect for a post-wilderness treat of cellar doors and gourmet dining.
• Blue Mountains National Park – The classic Blue Mountains attractions (Three Sisters, Echo Point) are a 1.5-hour drive south, easily combined for a longer itinerary.

Please check official sources for current details.