Oberon (tourism website, Wikipedia entry) is the highest township in the Blue Mountains region. It has a population of about 2500 and a thriving logging industry. Its shopping centre can supply all basic needs, and includes cafés, two supermarkets, a camping shop (Ph: 02 6336 1438) but no bicycle shop. The town also has two caravan parks (see here and here) and a tourist information centre (open 7 days a week).

Tarana to Oberon    25.1km - 438m climb - 125m descent - sealed - map
A peaceful sealed route from Tarana to Oberon using the Lowes Mount Road. The route closely follows the old Tarana - Oberon railway line (photo), which though currently in disuse, may become a tourist railway. The last 6km of railway runs parallel to a recently constructed bitumen rail trail. To reach the rail trail from Tarana, cycle up the Lowes Mount Road. At the top of the main climb, turn left onto Mt Hazelgrove Rd (unsealed). The rail trail begins where the old railway line intersects this road and ends in Oberon.

Oberon to Hampton    29.4km - 514m climb - 538m descent - sealed - map
This generally undulating road is interrupted in the middle by a descent to the Duckmaloi River and a climb out the other side. At the intersection with Jenolan Caves Road, some 25km from Oberon, lies Millionth Acre Picnic Area, a rest area among the pine trees with picnic tables, bins, toilets and water.

Oberon to Jenolan Caves (via Edith)    29km - 439m climb - 731m descent - sealed - map
As one of the highest in the central tablelands, this road undulates on the plateau at around 1100m above sea level, climbs to 1360m and then plunges into the Jenolan River gorge 550m below. The road is now fully sealed. About 23.5km from Oberon is the turn-off to Kanangra Walls, which would make an excellent side trip if you have a spare day. About half a kilometre before this intersection, a firetrail heads south from the Oberon-Jenolan Road into Kanangra-Boyd National Park, where one may be able to find a clearing for a tent. Also in the vicinity of this intersection are several B&B and cabin lodges, providing accommodation for visitors to Jenolan Caves. The descent to Jenolan Caves is very steep with sharp bends, but the scenery is truly spectacular.

Kanangra Walls (Side Trip)    27.4km one way - 306m climb - 515m descent - unsealed - map
An undulating cycle along a well-graded dirt road leads to the spectacular Kanangra Walls (photos) within the Kanangra-Boyd National Park. The car park at the end of the road has picnic shelters, tank water, walking information and pit toilets. One could easily spend a day here, exploring Kanangra Tops and Maxwell Tops by foot. Be warned, however, that apart from a couple of very short walks beginning at the car park, tracks at the edge of this wilderness area are not signposted or suitable for inexperienced bushwalkers. Walkers venturing further afield should be armed with appropriate topographic maps. Some multi-day bushwalks in the area are outlined here. For a day walk, I would recommend either the track to Crafts Wall (which is the first section of the Kanangra to Katoomba Track) or the track to Cottage Rock. These walks can easily be extended if time permits.

Camping is not permitted at Kanangra Walls. Instead, use Boyd River Campground (wood barbecues, pit toilets, creek water), which lies within the national park about 7km from the end of Kanangra Road. Camping here is free, though one must pay an entry fee of $7 per vehicle per day to enter the park. This obviously does not apply to cyclists. Ideally, one would camp here for two nights, allowing a full day to explore Kanangra Walls and the surrounding area by foot.