Google map for Western Sydney (Routes 4 to 7)
The main idea is to use the Cook's River Cycleway to Homebush (see Route 4), then one of two cycling routes from Homebush to Parramatta (see Routes 5 and 6), followed by the broad shoulder of the M4 motorway to Penrith (see Route 7).
Route 4: Sydney International Airport to Bicentennial Park (Homebush). Approximately 19.2km
This route connects with the southern end of Route 1 (Sydney International Airport) and follows the Cook's River Cycleway (also known as the Bay to Bay Cycleway) to Homebush. The route is mostly off-road and follows the river through parkland. (I used to commute along the cycleway twice a week and found it pleasant cycling.) The entire route is signposted. If you are heading to Homebush then follow the signs to Homebush Bay. If heading to the Airport then follow the signs to Botany Bay until you reach Tempe (Princess Highway), after which you should follow the signs to the City. Homebush is home to Bicentennial Park and Sydney Olympic Park. Both parks have many cycleways (see the Bicentennial park maps). For other information about the route, see the notes on my Google map. To print a map, cut and paste the relevant section of the RTA's Parramatta cycle map. (The RTA Sydney cycle map will also be helpful to see where Route 4 joins Route 1.)
Route 5: Bicentennial Park (Homebush) to Parramatta (M4). Approximately 8.3km
Route 5 is the shortest cycling route from Bicentennial Park the M4 Motorway (Parramatta exit). Much of the route lies underneath the M4 overpass. Please note that I have not cycled this route - I have constructed it on the basis of the RTA's Parramatta cycle map.
Route 6: Bicentennial Park (Homebush) to Parramatta (M4). Approximately 11.8km
Route 6 is a longer cycling route between Bicentennial Park the M4 Motorway (Parramatta exit) and would undoubtedly be more scenic than Route 5. The route utilises the mangrove boardwalk at Bicentennial Park and cycleways along the Parramatta River. To print a map, cut and paste the relevant section of the RTA's Parramatta cycle map.
Route 7: Parramatta (M4) to Penrith (Nepean Bridge). Approximately 37.6km
Simply cycle along the M4 motorway. The route is boring but safe provided that cyclists cross the motorway exit and entry ramps carefully. About halfway along the route, a service centre (petrol station and McDonalds Restaurant) is located on each side of the motorway. From the Mulgoa Road exit (Penrith), either continue along the motorway toward the Blue Mountains or take the longer scenic touring route along the eastern bank of the Nepean River, as shown on the Google map. The western end of Route 7 connects with the eastern end of Route 8.
Google map for Blue Mountains (Routes 8 to 13)
(Please note that the some of the streets that appear on Google's map of the Blue Mountains are quite misleading. For example, some bushwalking trails and rough 4WD trails are shown as streets.)
The cycle from Penrith to Katoomba gains 1000m in altitude over 50km. The climb is reasonably consistent and follows the Blue Mountains Main Range, as do the highway and railway line. The routes chosen avoid, where possible, the Great Western Highway in favour of local streets through the townships of the Blue Mountains. In general, these streets take light to moderate traffic. One can also cycle along the shoulder of the highway - see the notes at the end of this section for further details.
Six routes are described. In brief, you could choose which combination of routes to cycle based on the following criteria:
Even if you take Route 9 or 10, you will still cycle along part of Route 8 (see the Google map).
Route 8: Penrith Station to Blaxland (via Lapstone Station). Approximately 12.2km
The notes in the Google map are self-explanatory; however, a few points should be emphasised. (1) To avoid cycling with the traffic on the narrow Nepean Bridge, take the footpath on the southern side of the bridge. If heading east, aim to join the footpath on the right-hand side of the highway at least 50m before the bridge. (2) The route between Lapstone Street and Lapstone Station follows an unsealed fire trail. Cyclists who wish to avoid this should follow Route 9 or 10 here. If heading from Lapstone Station to Lapstone St (in Leonay), cross the railway line at the station and follow the fire trail that heads down to the river (rather than the one that runs level with the contours). Viewing the Google map in satellite mode here will help.
Route 9: Emu Plains to Glenbrook (via highway). Approximately 5.5km
This route is designed for cyclists who are cycling from east to west and do not wish to negotiate the fire trail in Route 8. Route 9 follows the Great Western Highway from Emu Plains to Glenbrook where it rejoins Route 8. The shoulder along the highway here is wide at first and narrows a little prior to reaching Glenbrook. This narrower section can be avoided by turning left into Governors Drive and rejoining Route 8 earlier.
Route 10: Blaxland to Emu Plains (via Mitchell's Pass). Approximately 5.1km
The preferred route for all cyclists heading from west to east. This route follows the historic Mitchell's Pass, crossing Lennox Bridge (the oldest existing bridge on mainland Australia). Ideally, cyclists heading east to west would also take this route; however part of Mitchell's Pass is one-way so this option is ruled out.
Route 11: Blaxland to Katoomba. Approximately 41.9km
This route uses minor roads and wherever possible avoids the highway. The entire route is sealed. See the Google map for additional notes.
Route 12: Wentworth Falls detour. Approximately 6.5km
A route that visits the spectacular Wentworth Falls and Valley of the Waters.
Route 13: Katoomba and Leura (scenic route). Approximately 12.9km
A route that takes in some of the major tourist attractions in the area and cycles by magnificent views of the Jamison Valley.
Cycling the Great Western Highway
Rather than following some combination of routes above, one could simply cycle along the Great Western Highway. This road is much better for cycling than it used to be and presumably will continue to improve as the highway is upgraded. While not as pleasant as the routes suggested above, taking the highway has advantages in speed and simplicity. In December 2008 there was a good shoulder (though not always wide) most of the way with the following notable exceptions:
To continue cycling west of Katoomba (toward Lithgow), cyclists must take the Great Western Highway as far as Mount Victoria. If you have time, visit Govetts Leap (4km down Govetts Leap Road) in Blackheath for outstanding views of the Grose Valley. From Mount Victoria, I recommend avoiding the Great Western Highway, which descends steeply down Victoria Pass. Instead, head north along Darling Causeway, turning left onto either Hartley Vale Road (for a delightful cycle down the mountain) or Bells Line of Road (which takes more traffic, including coal and forestry trucks). Further details about cycling beyond Mount Victoria can be found in the Cycling the Central Tablelands of NSW section of this website.
© 2009 Robert Taggart. Last updated 20 December 2009.