Macquarie Pass & Kangaroo Valley — Sydney Southern HighlandsLoop.
Distance
215 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,500 m
Macquarie Pass & Kangaroo Valley — Sydney Southern Highlands Loop.
A classic Sydney day ride south through the Illawarra Escarpment, across the Southern Highlands dairy country and back via the South Coast. Macquarie Pass climbs 600m through 8km of single-lane hairpins so tight that buses sometimes reverse on the bends. The Robertson plateau rewards with cool-climate pasture and the famous Pie Shop. The descent into Kangaroo Valley crosses the heritage 1898 Hampden Bridge before returning to the coast via Berry and Nowra. Best ridden mid-week — weekend traffic chokes the pass.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance215 km
Days1
Total climb1,500 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
Albion ParkStart · Start on the Illawarra coast 110km south of Sydney. Fuel up and begin the Macquarie Pass climb on the Illawarra Highway (A48). The hairpins start within 2km.
RobertsonRestaurant · Top of Macquarie Pass at 700m elevation. Cool-climate dairy country and rolling green pastures. The Robertson Pie Shop is essential — order the steak and mushroom before the next leg.
Kangaroo ValleyScenic Point · Heritage village in a dramatic sandstone gorge. Cross the 1898 Hampden Bridge — Australia's oldest suspension bridge still carrying vehicles. Cattle farms, vineyards and craft makers below.
BerryRestaurant · Charming heritage village famous for the Berry Donut Van (operating since 1966) and Berry Brewing Co craft beer. Coffee or second-lunch stop.
NowraScenic Point · Shoalhaven River views. Optional 40min detour east to Jervis Bay — Hyams Beach holds the Guinness record for the world's whitest sand.
Albion ParkEnd · Return to Albion Park via the Princes Highway (A1) along the Illawarra coast. Sunset over the Pacific from the escarpment lookouts.
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