Kangaroo Valley is one of our favourite weekend getaways from Sydney. The scenery is gorgeous and the rolling green farmland backed by mountains makes even driving around the area a delight. The village has lots of atmospheric heritage buildings and there’s a delicious treat to be had at almost every outlet.
There’s also plenty of adventure in the surrounding countryside; from canoeing down the Kangaroo River and hiking to secret viewpoints, to watching sunset from the cliff tops. If you’re looking for something more sedate there are great picnic spots, a winery and even one of the best places in the whole country to see wombats in the wild.
In essence, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in Kangaroo Valley. Here are a few of our favourites.
The best things to do in Kangaroo Valley
These are the 16 best things to do in Kangaroo Valley:
1. Go wild wombat spotting
If you’ve never seen a wombat in the wild, then look no further. Kangaroo Valley is the first place we ever saw one and somewhere we’ve been seeing them ever since.
We got lucky with our first sighting (as it was along the road to the golf course), but there’s no luck required if you head to the Bendeela Campground. The staff running the campsite are lovely and they don’t mind if you’re not staying and are only there for the wombats!
There are wombat burrows everywhere, but the greatest concentration lies towards the end of the campground. You can park at the second toilet block and walk down the little hill and you’ll be surrounded by wombat holes.
They begin to emerge around an hour before sunset, and more and more come as darkness falls. On our most recent visit we saw 10 in quick succession!
As with all wild animals please don’t touch or feed them. They aren’t shy so you’ll be able to get lots of great photos and videos without having to get too close!
2. Catch a sunset at Red Rock Trig
Red Rock Trig is a little known cliff top viewpoint in Kangaroo Valley and it happens to be one of the most glorious sunset spots in the Southern Highlands.
With absolutely spectacular views over the valley, as well as Morton and Budderoo National Parks, it’s the kind of spot that’s hard to leave. It’s a great view at any time of day, but particularly special at sunset when the valley is bathed in golden light.
It’s a short and very easy, 1km return walk to reach the viewpoint. There are no railings which give it a wild feel, although maybe not for vertigo sufferers!
If you continue heading left for a few minutes beyond the first viewpoint you’ll come to a small secret cave. It’s a great hidey hole for kids, or makes a wonderful frame for photos.
The last 6km of the road to reach the car park are unsealed and there are quite a few potholes. The last 500m is down a very narrow dirt track, which makes passing very tricky!
At time of writing you don’t need any kind of high clearance but it might be a bumpy ride!
3. Marvel at the secret glow worm colony
Less than a 20 minute drive from Kangaroo Valley will bring you to one of the area's best hidden gems: the secret glow worm colony of Mannings Lookout!
The glow worms are located at the gorgeous Manning Valley Waterfall and surround the falls like strings of twinkling Christmas lights.
It's a magical sight and as it doesn't appear anywhere else online you're almost guaranteed to get it all to yourself. Care must be taken when walking in the dark and though the 2km return track is not difficult, there is a small hill to climb on the way back.
We'd recommend first walking the track by day so you know what to expect and of course to enjoy the waterfall and viewpoints in daylight too.
Exactly how to find the hidden path and what to expect from the glow worms are in this post.
4. Go wild swimming at Flat Rock
When we visited the Flat Rock area, we were originally intending to find the nearby secret waterfall, but that’s sadly now on private property and closed to the public.
Luckily Flat Rock swimming hole is very close to the waterfall trailhead and we ended up swimming there instead - and that’s not to say it’s a consolation prize.
Flat Rock is a fabulous swimming spot in its own right and it’s huge, making it perfect for a proper swim.
Getting into the water is easy and then you just have to walk over a flat rock shelf (it can be a little slippery) which is very shallow, before you reach the deep water.
The water is pristine and the surrounding forest is gorgeous. There are cascades to the right and it all feels beautifully secluded despite being close to the very quiet road - which you can’t see from the water.
To access the pools, drive down the Upper Kangaroo River Road for just over 14km and park your car at the layby on the right just before the concrete ford (you will have passed several fords before reaching the concrete one) and then walk the few minutes down to the water.
If that space is taken there is also room for a few more cars just before the gate, this will only add on a few minutes extra walking.
5. Go canoeing down the Kangaroo River
Canoeing down the Kangaroo River is one of the most fun things you can do in Kangaroo Valley. Not only is the scenery great, but there are a few little rapids to add to the excitement (easy rapids, not boat turning rapids!).
You jump into the kayaks/canoes at Hampden Bridge and paddle for 5km to the Bendeela picnic area, where you are then picked up and dropped back to town.
We loved it, especially as you are going with the river not against it, meaning the paddling is easy. It takes about two hours at a leisurely pace or you could hire the boats for longer and make a whole day of it.
You could alternatively opt to paddle from the Bendeela picnic area which is completely flat water and has a great chance of spotting wildlife.
We did this a few years ago which is why we are sparing you the (terrible) photos from inside the boat! We did want to do it again, but it gets heavily booked up on weekends, so definitely book in advance! Several companies hire canoes and kayaks out, we went with Kangaroo Valley Safaris.
6. Have a picnic at Cambewarra Mountain Lookout
There are so many lovely picnic spots around Kangaroo Valley, and Cambewarra Mountain Lookout is definitely one of the best. The views extend all the way to Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven City and even Pigeon House Mountain.
As well as great views you are likely to be serenaded with the chattering of dozens of King Parrots and probably a Kookaburra or two as well.
The walk from the car park to the lookout is just one minute so you don’t need to carry your picnic far. The lawn is sloped, which we don’t mind, but if you prefer you can use one of the picnic tables instead.
There is also a cafe onsite and toilets. The road to get here is very narrow and windy so it’s best to take it slow.
7. Wander the atmospheric main street
It technically doesn’t take very long to walk the length of Kangaroo Valley’s main street, but you could spend a whole afternoon if you stop for all the treats along the way.
Most of the buildings date back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and retain lots of original charm. Nowadays many have been converted into shops selling everything from homemade fudge and ice cream, to vintage clothes, antiques and old fashioned sweets.
Sadly both pie shops were closed indefinitely on our most recent visit, but if you’ve been craving one of the ‘world famous’ pies, head to the bakehouse, albeit for a less famous version!
8. Find the secret waterfall at Belmore Falls
Belmore Falls is another of the Southern Highlands spectacular waterfalls and an absolute beauty. The two tiered waterfall plunges into the valley and both the lower and upper cascades would be worth a visit in their own right.
The only sad thing is that you can only view it from a distance as the trail to the bottom of the falls has been closed. It’s still well worth going to see though, especially if you also go to find our secret waterfall swimming spot.
The waterfall is small but gorgeous and the waterhole beneath it is wild swimming heaven. It’s down an unmarked trail so you’d never know it was there if you weren’t looking!
Here’s exactly how to find it.
9. Check out the jaw dropping view from Drawing Room Rocks
Just a 25 minute drive from Kangaroo Valley you’ll find one of the best walks in NSW. It’s just a short trail at 3km return, but it leads to an incredible view and some very cool rock formations which look a bit like tables and chairs.
It’s yet another great picnic spot, or come at sunrise or sunset for some beautiful soft light. We’re more night owls than early birds so we always come for sunset and it’s just gorgeous.
It’s mainly uphill on the way and there is limited signage but the path is obvious enough. The viewpoint is unfenced with a huge drop off, which is probably why there’s a warning sign at the start of the track, but it’s not a difficult walk. If you aren’t used to bushwalking just give yourself plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.
We’ve got a whole guide on the Drawing Room Rocks Track with exactly what to expect on the trail.
10. Indulge in wine tasting at Yarrawa Estate
Yarrawa Estate is gorgeous, it’s located on a hill with sweeping views from the garden. And the best news is that the wine tastings are conducted in the garden, so you get to enjoy your wine with a stunning backdrop.
Tastings are $15 per person and there are an array to choose from. Unfortunately we didn’t realise tastings were only available on weekends so actually couldn’t try any, although the owner kindly showed us around.
We’re sure it has to be good though because our friend who works in the wine industry was the person who recommended it to us!
If you’d like a cheese platter with your wine then it’s best to book ahead, and we’d probably advise booking a tasting too as it can get busy.
11. Brush up on local history at the Pioneer Museum
If you’ve ever wondered what living in the valley would be like for the early European settlers this is the place to come. It’s an open air museum where you can wander between the old dairy, forge, school, early settlers cottage and more.
Whilst the buildings are replicas, they are built predominantly using timber from the 1800’s and look very convincing. Many of the artefacts inside the buildings are original.
You can also see a couple of giant rocks containing masses of fossils, which are somewhere in the region of 250-300 million years old. Many of the fossils are clear as day!
As well as the museum you can cross the swing bridge into the private bushland and follow the walking track, It’s very well signposted and only takes about 15-20 minutes.
If you work up an appetite you can use the BBQs in the museum grounds before you go.
At time of writing entry to the museum and bushwalk is $10 for adults.
12. Watch huge mobs of wild roos at the golf course
Would it be a trip to Kangaroo Valley if you didn’t see some of its namesake?! Yet despite the name, many people visit expecting them to be easy to find and leave disappointed.
But if you know where to look it’s almost a guarantee you’ll see them. If you’re planning to go to see the wombats at Bendeela it’s very likely you’ll see several mobs of kangaroos too, but our favourite place has to be the Kangaroo Valley Golf Course.
They love all that juicy green grass and you tend to see huge numbers of them. Although you definitely can see them in the day, they are most active in the early morning and towards sunset, so your chances of spotting them are greatly improved.
You can visit unobtrusively by driving along the very quiet no through road (it’s a sharp left before the entrance and circles around the golf course), which gives you lofty views over the golf course and means you aren’t in anybody’s way.
13. Admire the magnificent Fitzroy Falls
Fitzroy Falls needs no introduction being the most famous waterfall in the area. It’s a huge multi-tiered waterfall that thunders into a very beautiful valley which always reminds us of the Blue Mountains.
It flows year round but is at its most spectacular after heavy rain. If you catch it on a misty day it’s incredibly atmospheric.
It takes less than five minutes to walk to the main viewpoint, but it’s worth doing the whole 3.5km West Rim Track which showcases the falls from a variety of angles. It’s a fairly easy walk but does have a few staircases, even if you don’t do the whole thing it’s worth following it to see at least a couple of the viewpoints.
There is also an East Rim Track which has some lovely views but focuses more on the valley than the falls.
We have a detailed guide to each walking trail, plus which lookouts are worth the walk here.
14. Stock up on locally produced goodies at the Farmers Market
If you’re visiting Kangaroo Valley on the second Sunday of the month then head to the Farmers Market. There’s a variety of locally produced goods; from fruit and veg, to bread, honey, chutneys, jam, olive oil and cakes.
It’s a great way to support the local community and get lots of tasty sustainably produced treats. There was a stall selling bacon and egg rolls, but otherwise it’s more of a buy and take away type affair.
You can find the market behind the The Friendly Inn Hotel between 9am and 1pm.
15. Check out the valleys best cafe
We love the friendly vibe and light and bright decor inside the General Store Cafe. It’s one of those places that is just nice to spend time in, with lots of comfy seating. There’s a variety of baked goods on offer and the focus is on much of the menu being made inhouse, including brewing their own kombucha!
I tried the jamu jamu juice, which was delicious, so much so I now want to start making it at home! It’s freshly squeezed oranges, freshly squeezed turmeric, cracked black pepper and honey. We also tried the sourdough which was great too.
There’s outdoor dining for warm days and you can even bring your dog along too.
At time of writing they are open Friday to Monday, and exact times vary by day. You can find them on the main street, you can’t miss that cute old fashioned signpost!
16. Enjoy some of the area’s best views on the Three Views Walk
The Three Views Walk is an easy trail that takes you to a series of fantastic lookouts. The walking track itself is mainly on fire trail and not overly exciting, but the views definitely make up for it. It’s also almost entirely flat which makes it very leisurely.
If you don’t want to walk the whole trail, which is 9.5km, you can pick just one or two of the lookouts. There’s also a hidden fourth viewpoint if you’re looking for a bit of an adventure but it’s off trail and a bit scratchy. You’ll almost certainly get the fab view all to yourself as a reward.
We detail all the lookouts including how to find the secret one in this post.
17. Explore the nearby village of Berry
If you have some extra time it’s worth making the 25 minute drive over to the lovely little town of Berry. It’s a great place to potter around, with plenty of shops and cafes. We always visit The Berry Tea Shop which is the closest we’ve come to English tea and cakes in Australia!
All the cakes and types of tea we’ve tried (and there are many) have been delicious and the environment inside the shop is also charming.
We’ve got a whole guide dedicated to Berry if you’re looking for other things to do in the area.
Where to stay in Kangaroo Valley
The Laurels
The Laurels B&B mixes old world charm with modern touches, making for a stylish but comfortable place to stay. The rooms all have garden views so you’ll really feel like you’ve escaped to the Southern Highlands. The Deluxe Double Room has an incredible standalone bathtub - perfect for a relaxing evening.
Check out the latest prices & reviews on:
Azaltie
Azaltie is one of the most unique accommodation choices in Kangaroo Valley. This tiny home doesn’t compromise on style and is packed with amenities. It is situated in a beautiful spot, and even has its own patio and fire pit.
Getting to Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley is located 155km and just over a two hour drive from Sydney. It’s 190km and just over a two hour drive from Canberra.
It’s a pain to get to by public transport and you really do need a car to make the most of all the attractions in the area.
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