Valley lookout
Capertee National Park
Overview
Relax with a picnic lunch at Valley lookout and enjoy dramatic views inside the world’s second largest canyon. It’s easily combined with a 4WD or camping getaway in Capertee National Park, near Rylstone.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Opening times
Access to Capertee National Park is via a locked gate. For the gate access code please contact the Mudgee office on weekdays, or Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on weekends, during office hours, before you set out.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, sturdy shoes
- Please note
This park is in a remote area, so make sure you’re well prepared.
There’s no need to scramble over boulders or hike up cliffs to enjoy views of the Capertee Valley – the world’s second largest canyon. You can drive right up to Valley lookout, located inside the canyon within Capertee National Park, between Lithgow and Mudgee.
Pack a picnic lunch and relax on the grassy area at the lookout, which looks south across the Capertee River Valley to Blacks Corner and Genowlan Point. Looming above from the rolling farmland and forested hills are the red sandstone cliffs and pagodas that make this area such a geological marvel.
Keep your binoculars handy for birdwatching as there’s no better place in the world to spot critically endangered regent honeyeaters. Painted honeyeaters, Lewin’s honeyeaters and masked wood swallows are among the other birds seen here.
The lookout is a 5km drive or mountain bike ride from historic Capertee Homestead and Woolshed ruins. Stay overnight at the homestead or at charming Capertee Cottage. For something a little more rustic, pitch your tent by the tranquil river at Capertee campground.
It’s a great base for a few days of 4WD touring, bushwalking, mountain biking and birdwatching in Capertee and nearby Wollemi, Turon, and Gardens of Stone national parks.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/valley-lookout/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Capertee National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and Country NSW regions
Capertee National Park has a locked entry gate. If you're visiting during the day, get the gate code by calling Mudgee Office (weekdays) or Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (weekends).
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Valley lookout.
Getting there and parking
Valley lookout is in Capertee National Park, near Capertee. To get there:
From Lithgow or Mudgee:
- Take the Castlereagh Highway to Capertee
- Turn off towards Glen Davis onto Glen Davis Road and drive 29km
- Turn left onto Glen Alice Road, towards Rylstone, and continue around 21.5km
- Turn left onto Port Macquarie Road and follow 6km to the locked gate at the park boundary (you’ll need to get the access code before arriving)
- From the locked gate continue around 5km to the Capertee River causeway
- Follow the road around to the right to cross the river and reach a visitor information bay
- From the visitor information bay, follow the road north for 5km to reach the lookout.
Road access and conditions
- Access to Capertee National Park is via a locked gate. For the gate access code please contact the Mudgee office on weekdays, or Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on weekends, during office hours, before you set out.
- If you’re staying at Capertee campground, cottage or homestead you’ll receive the gate access code with your email booking confirmation.
- Check the weather before you set out as the road to Capertee National Park may be flooded after heavy rain.
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- Most roads suitable for 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at the lookout.
Facilities
Toilets and picnic tables are available at Capertee campground, around a 5km drive from the lookout.
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Camping is not permitted at the lookout. You can camp nearby at Capertee campground. Bookings required.
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Generators
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Valley lookout is in Capertee National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Looking for things to do in Capertee?
There are great things to do when in Capertee. Enjoy fantastic bird watching any time of the year - the protected woodlands attract the threatened gang-gang and glossy black cockatoos, and Capertee Valley is one of only three known nesting areas for the endangered regent honeyeater. You'll find a range of options if you're looking for a place to stay, including Capertee Homestead, Cottage or campground. Bookings essential. You can also hike into remote Policemans Point campground.
- Capertee Woolshed ruins Capertee Woolshed ruins, in Capertee National Park, offer a view of the historic heritage of the area, with walking, paddling and birdwatching opportunities nearby.
- Valley lookout Relax with a picnic lunch at Valley lookout and enjoy dramatic views inside the world’s second largest canyon. It’s easily combined with a 4WD or camping getaway in Capertee National Park, near Rylstone.
Plant life abounds
The park is home to rare grey grevillea shrubs, which bloom with pink and red flowers in spring. This hardy, dense shrub is found nowhere else but Capertee Valley. Fertile river flats and surrounding slopes host an ecological community of majestic yellow box, blakelys red gum and white box, providing a vital habitat for wildlife and native birds.
- Capertee Woolshed ruins Capertee Woolshed ruins, in Capertee National Park, offer a view of the historic heritage of the area, with walking, paddling and birdwatching opportunities nearby.
- Valley lookout Relax with a picnic lunch at Valley lookout and enjoy dramatic views inside the world’s second largest canyon. It’s easily combined with a 4WD or camping getaway in Capertee National Park, near Rylstone.
Wiradjuri country
Capertee National Park is within the traditional lands of Wiradjuri People. The surrounding countryside contains evidence of Aboriginal occupation in the form of rock art, scarred trees and artefacts. Traditional food plants and old travel routes are also present within the park.