Bylong Valley Way

Bylong Valley Way is a picturesque New South Wales country road that travels through the beautiful Bylong Valley, connecting the Golden Highway near Sandy Hollow to the Castlereagh Highway near Ilford.

This serene route in conjunction with the Bathurst-Ilford road provides a relaxed and pleasant alternative to travel between the Hunter Region and Central Tablelands without going through Sydney.

The Main Roads Act of 1924 paved the way for the declaration of Main Roads partially funded by the State government through the Main Roads Board. The two primary roads were declared; Main Road No. 208 from Sandy Hollow to Mudgee via Bylong, and Main Road No. 215 from Ilford to Rylstone via Bylong.

Bylong Valley Way offers access to the Wollemi National Park and Goulburn River National Park at various points between the Golden Highway and Bylong. The road travels over Coxs Gap, which is surrounded by the two national parks. Visitors can even camp at the Wollemi National Park located on the west side of Coxs Gap. Besides, the Phipps Cutting picnic area between Baerami and Widden Creek is perfect for hiking in the Wollemi National Park.

Since the completion of the road's sealing, several tourist routes include Bylong Valley Way to their itinerary. The Tablelands Way tourist route between Canberra and Muswellbrook uses the road as part of the route between Mudgee and Muswellbrook. While Upper Hunter Tourist Drive number 4 encompasses the self-drive tour loop originating in Sandy Hollow. Visitors can also use Phipps Cutting picnic area as a rest area on this route.

The Sandy Hollow–Gulgong railway line and part of the Merriwa railway line run parallel