Living in The Hills Shire means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to weekend escapes but few day trips are as rewarding, or as easy, as heading up to Bilpin in autumn. In under an hour from Castle Hill, Kellyville or Rouse Hill, the tree-lined Bells Line of Road delivers you into a world of crisp mountain air, golden foliage, farm-gate produce and some genuinely magical landscapes.
We love this region not just because it sits right on our doorstep, but because it reminds us why so many people choose to put down roots in The Hills. Community, nature, and a slower pace of life are never far away. Bilpin in autumn is all of that, distilled into a single day out.
Driving up Bells Line of Road
Part of the appeal of a Bilpin day trip is the journey itself. Head out towards the mountains along the historic Bells Line of Road, a route first traced in 1823 by 19-year-old explorer Archibald Bell, who crossed these ranges with the guidance of local Aboriginal people. Today it’s one of the most scenic drives in New South Wales, threading its way between Wollemi National Park to the north and Blue Mountains National Park to the south.
In autumn, the roadside display is particularly impressive. The deciduous trees along the upper stretches turn rich shades of amber, copper and gold, while the air cools noticeably as you gain altitude. Wind down the windows and enjoy it – this is not a trip to rush.
Apple picking, cider and roadside stalls
Bilpin is known as the Land of the Mountain Apple, and autumn is prime harvest time. The cool, high-altitude climate here produces exceptional fruit, and the roadside stalls between Bilpin and Berambing are an irresistible part of the experience. Roughly every few hundred metres you’ll spot hand-painted signs advertising fresh apples, jams, apple juice, apple cider vinegar and creamy local honey.
For a proper farm stop, pull in at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl on Bells Line of Road, where you can pick your own fruit, sample a hot-from-the-oven apple pie and grab a glass of fresh juice.
The Grumpy Baker is another favourite: their pies sell out early, so go first thing. For something stronger, Bilpin Cider and Hillbilly Cider both offer cellar door tastings (with non-alcoholic options available), food and stunning garden settings. Bilpin Cider Farm is much more than just tastings. Kids will love the farm with its animals ranging from alpacas and miniature donkeys to goats, sheep and chickens.
The Old Shed Distillery rounds out the local producers with handcrafted gin and a relaxed cellar door open most days.
During spring, summer and autumn, Bilpin Cider hosts live music on the first Sunday of each month. It’s worth timing your visit around this event if you can.
The Saturday Farmers Market
If you’re heading up on a Saturday, arrive early enough to drop in at the Bilpin Farmers Market, held at the Bilpin District Hall from 10 am to noon. It’s a genuinely local affair, offering fresh bread, vegetables, a cuppa and a chat. The market is a low-key and lovely way to start the morning before heading further along the road.
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
Just a few minutes further along Bells Line of Road from Bilpin, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is not to be missed. Part of the Royal Botanic Gardens network and situated within the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, this 28-hectare garden is perched at high altitude with cool-climate plants from across the globe. Plants are grouped by geography, from South American cloud forest species to South African proteas.
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit. The deciduous trees throughout the garden are at their peak colour, the crowds are smaller than in spring, and the air is delightfully cool. You can take one of the guided walks, including a Forest Bathing tour that is well worth experiencing. There is also a small café and a visitor centre on site. Entry is free, and it’s open seven days a week.
Just outside the gardens, the 500-metre Lady Nancy Fairfax Walk is an easy and rewarding stroll with lovely views back towards Bilpin and the Wollemi Wilderness.
Walking to Bulcamatta Falls — and the glow worms after dark
One of the genuine hidden gems along this stretch of Bells Line of Road is Burralow Creek, accessible via a 4WD fire trail off either Warks Hill Road from Kurrajong Heights or via Patterson Range Fire Trail from Bilpin. The drive in is part of the adventure: scenic, but an unsealed road best suited to a 4WD or capable AWD.
Once you arrive at the Burralow Creek camping area, the Bulcamatta Falls walk is an easy one-hour return trip along a convict-built track through shaded rainforest. The name Bulcamatta comes from an Aboriginal word meaning mountain and waterfalls. Along the way, keep an eye out for an old convict-era sandstone pit, a remarkable termite mound and the rare giant dragonfly that inhabits the swampy sections of the trail. The falls themselves sit in a narrow, fern-lined gorge of temperate rainforest that’s peaceful and beautiful in any season.
If you’re up for an after-dark adventure, this is where Burralow Creek earns its reputation. The rock walls and grotto around Bulcamatta Falls are home to one of the largest glow worm colonies in the Blue Mountains. People who’ve seen this phenomenon describe it as like standing inside a galaxy. Arrive at the falls just after sunset, let your eyes adjust, turn off your torches, and wait. Thousands of tiny blue-green lights will slowly appear on the cliff faces around you. It is extraordinary.
Note: Burralow Creek and the surrounding park may be subject to fire bans or seasonal closures. Always check the NSW National Parks website before you go and observe all park rules, including no fires during total fire ban periods.
A few more things near Bilpin
If you want to extend the day, there are plenty of options along and just off Bells Line of Road. Mount Wilson, a short detour just past Mount Tomah, is home to magnificent private gardens and a Cathedral of Ferns that is especially lovely in autumn. Walls Lookout near Pierces Pass offers one of the most spectacular views over the Grose Valley in the Blue Mountains. Back towards Kurrajong Heights, the Archibald Hotel at Kurrajong Heights has great views towards Sydney and a good restaurant.
Bilpin is in our backyard
As local real estate agents in The Hills Shire, we know this area inside out – not just the property market, but the lifestyle that makes it such a wonderful place to live. Bilpin is part of what makes The Hills unique: you can be in a world-class suburb with every modern convenience one minute, and an hour later you’re picking apples straight from the tree.
Whether you’re a long-time Hills resident looking for a fresh day out or you’re considering a move to the area and want to explore what’s nearby, we hope this gives you the nudge you need to head up the mountain this autumn.
The leaves won’t stay golden forever so go while they’re at their best.
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