The small towns of Kurrajong, Kurrajong Heights, Bilpin and Berambing lie on Bells Line Road, a far more spectacular but less built up route over the mountains. After the crossing was discovered in 1823 the road was built by convicts in 1841, and evidence of their stonework is still visible today. There are some excellent lookouts along the way, as well as picnic areas and walking tracks in the northern stretches of the Blue Mountains National Park.

The historic villages of Kurrajong and Kurrajong Heights lie at the bottom and top of the initial steep ascent of Bells Line Road, you can figure out which one is where. Kurrajong Heights offers some fantastic views over the plains and back to Sydney. 25 kilometres further up the road are the orchards of Bulpin. This pretty little town is famous for it's apples, and roadside stalls sell the areas local produce. Just out of town, the Waratah Native Gardens are perfect for a picnic or a short walk along the Gorge Track.

Eight kilometres off Bells Line Road along a twisting and photogenic track is the quaint hamlet of Mount Wilson. The fertile, volcanic soils surrounding the town have been well utilised, and a spectacular collection of native and northern hemisphere gardens have been created. The Cathedral of Ferns, a dense enclave of giant tree-ferns and gums, provides a brilliant setting for just one of the many barbecue and picnic grounds around Mount Wilson.