11 best Things to Do in Kangaroo Valley (where to Eat, Sleep & See Wombats)
Kangaroo Valley is one of the most beautiful weekend getaways from Sydney and one of my favourite day trips full stop. I’ve lived in the Wollongong area for years, and every single time I visit Kangaroo Valley, I find something new: a hike I hadn’t noticed, a bakery I haven’t tried, or a place to just stop and unwind.
If you’re after a short trip that feels like stepping back in time, this Kangaroo Valley trip needs to go on your travel bucket list. In this guide, I’m sharing all the top things to do in Kangaroo Valley, plus a few of my favourite places to stay — including exactly where to go if you want the best chance of spotting a wombat.
Where is Kangaroo Valley?
Kangaroo Valley sits in the Shoalhaven region on the South Coast of New South Wales. It’s an easy two-hour drive down the M31 from Sydney or, if you’ve got a little more time up your sleeve, take the coastal route instead. You’ll pass stunning sights along the way including the Sea Cliff Bridge, Kiama, and Wollongong. This route takes closer to 2.5–3 hours, longer again once you inevitably stop for photos.
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours (M31) / 2.5–3 hours (coastal route)
Whether you’re planning a quick Kangaroo Valley day trip from Sydney or a slower weekend getaway, both routes are scenic and worth it!
Where to Stay in Kangaroo Valley
If you’re wondering where to stay in Kangaroo Valley, I have good news — this is one of those places where the accommodation is almost as memorable as the valley itself.
For years, my go-to was Dilly Dally Cottage, which sleeps four and comes with its own hot tub. Expect kangaroos hopping around outside your window most mornings.
On my most recent trip, though, I did it differently — I stayed at the infamous Bendeela Reserve in my 1984 vintage campervan, Dawson. It cost me all of $6, and you’re allowed to stay up to a week. The only catch is there are toilets but no shower facilities.
This is one of the most impressive campsites I’ve stayed at anywhere in Australia. You fall asleep under an open sky, right on the river, with rolling green hills as your backdrop. We woke up more than once to wombats rubbing up against the van in the night and then, come morning coffee in bed, kangaroos grazing all around us. If you’re chasing that classic Kangaroo Valley camping experience, this is it.
Top places to stay in Kangaroo Valley:
- $ Marthas Village
- $$ Wildes Hotel Kangaroo Valley
- $$ Dilly Dally Cottage
- $$$ Jumulu Lodge
- Best Camping option: Bendeela Reserve
Things to Do in Kangaroo Valley
There is an endless amount of things to do in Kangaroo Valley to fill a day or a weekend. These are some of my favourite activities that I’ve done on my recent trips.
Kayak the Kangaroo River
If you want to properly escape into nature, book a kayak with the Kangaroo Valley Adventure Company. They launch right by Hampden Bridge, and from there you’ll spend three hours drifting down the Kangaroo River without seeing another soul. They’ll even pick you up at Bendeela Reserve afterwards and run you back to your car.
Visit Hampden Bridge
No trip to Kangaroo Valley is complete without seeing Hampden Bridge, the valley’s most iconic landmark. You can drive over it or walk it, but my favourite way to experience it is from below — head down to the riverbank for what I think is the best view of the bridge in the whole valley.
Cross the Upper Kangaroo River Suspension Bridge
I stumbled on this one recently on the way to Yarrawa Estate, and I was surprised I’d never heard of it before. It’s a suspension bridge you can walk across, with the river winding away beneath you — a real hidden gem. It’s an sight that doesn’t make it onto most Kangaroo Valley travel guides.
Sip Wine at Yarrawa Estate
No visit is complete without an afternoon unwinding at Yarrawa Estate, one of the valley’s loveliest Kangaroo Valley wineries. Tastings run $20, and it’s about a 25-minute drive from the main township. It’s family-run, the family that run it are lovely. If you are a dog lover there are two very cute labradors that will happily follow you around the vineyard the entire time.
Explore Bundanoon Art Museum
About 30 minutes from Kangaroo Valley, Bundanoon Art Museum is worth the short detour for anyone who loves art set against nature. Check ahead, as they often have events on — but there’s a cafe and gift shop either way. I spent around an hour wandering the grounds, taking in the endless valley views, and admiring the architecture, which is genuinely something else.
Take in the View at Cambewarra Lookout
Cambewarra Lookout is one of the most popular viewpoints in Kangaroo Valley, and for good reason. There’s a cafe on-site, so you can grab a bite while you take in the views stretching out over the valley.
Browse the Local Shops
One of my favourite things to do in Kangaroo Valley is just wander the shops. Old bookstores, quirky little gift shops, lolly shops. I never leave without a locally made candle and granola cookies from the Kangaroo Valley General Store.
Have a Pint at One of the Valley’s Oldest Pubs
The Friendly Inn, right on the main street, is said to be one of the oldest pubs in the region. Built in 1891 as the Commercial Hotel, it was renamed the Friendly Inn in 1897 and you can feel the history the moment you walk in and get greeted by the locals.
Walk the Three Views Track
One of the best hikes in Kangaroo Valley is the Three Views Walking Track — a relatively easy, mostly flat trail with three separate lookout points. When I did it, I found you walk one main section, then branch off to each viewpoint before looping back to the same spot.
My favourite view point was the first one on the left — the views there were the most dramatic by far. Doing all three will take you 3–4 hours, and it’s rated a grade 3 hike.
Want to learn more 👉🏼 How To Hike the Three Views Walking Track
Spot Wombats at Bendeela Reserve
The best time to see wombats in Kangaroo Valley is dawn or dusk. When I stayed at Bendeela, I noticed most visitors turning up just before sunset, which lines up exactly with when the wombats come out.
There’s a short walk through the reserve, and I can pretty much guarantee you’ll spot one. A gentle reminder: this is their home, so admire from a distance. I saw a few visitors touching them and posing for photos, which really isn’t fair on the wombats.
Drive the Berry Mountain Scenic Route
If you’re passing through Berry on the way to or from Kangaroo Valley, take the scenic route over Berry Mountain. Fair warning: Dawson, my 42-year-old van, wasn’t thrilled about the steeper sections — but in anything modern, you won’t have any trouble at all.
Fitzroy Falls
Just a 15–20 minute drive from Kangaroo Valley, Fitzroy Falls is easily paired with your trip and worth the short detour. The falls drop a dramatic 81 metres into the Yarrunga Valley below, inside Morton National Park.
Final thoughts on Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley is one of those places that always leaves you feeling like you’ve slowed right down. One minute you’re sitting in the sun with a coffee, the next you’ve wandered into Halcyon Bookshop and lost twenty minutes to old paperbacks.
FAQs
Where’s the best place to see wombats in Kangaroo Valley?
If you spend a weekend here, I can almost guarantee you’ll spot wombats — the population is huge, and it’s not unusual to see them on the road at night, so drive carefully. Your best odds are at Bendeela Reserve at dawn or dusk. Just don’t touch them.
Is Kangaroo Valley worth visiting?
Yes — I promise you’ll leave feeling relaxed and already planning your next trip back. I go every year and still haven’t gotten bored of it.
How long do you need in Kangaroo Valley?
You can hit the highlights in a day, but I’d strongly recommend at least two nights so you can actually slow down and unwind, rather than rushing between stops.
What’s the best time of year to visit Kangaroo Valley?
I’ve mostly visited in winter and love the cool, crisp air — but Kangaroo Valley is a year-round destination.
More Kangaroo Valley Travel tips
- Best Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- Best Travel Card: Wise Travel Card
- Looking for the best flights? Skyscanner
