Departing Morton National Park, on our way back to Sydney, we passed through lovely Kangaroo Valley. This broad, green valley is a great jumping off point for touring the area, including Morton Park, but also offers enough beauty and history to make it worth visiting for itself. Aboriginal sites, rock formations, and miles of walking trails make it a great place to wander. The abundant flora and fauna are also attractions—though you have to be careful when driving from early dusk and after dark, as wallabies and wombats are often on the road once the sun sets.
Long a gathering place for local Aboriginal groups, Kangaroo Valley began to attract European settlers in the early 1800s. The village of Kangaroo Valley, with a population of just over 300, has worked to retain its charm, and many of the buildings are listed in the National Trust.
One of the more surprising sights in the valley, as one rolls amid rocks and greenery, is Hampden Bridge. It is more imposing than one might expect in this sparsely populated, rural setting. The bridge (on the right below) was built in 1897. It is the only suspension bridge to have survived from Australia’s colonial days. The 250-foot bridge spans the Kangaroo River. The bridge was named for Lord Hampden, who was the governor of New South Wales at the time of the bridge’s building.
Kangaroo Valley
Hampden Bridge
Waltzing Australia 
This is a beautiful part of the world I agree — and not far from where I live. When my husband retires this year I’m hoping to go on some short driving trips taking in places like this. I have spent a weekend there and it was lovely waking up in the valley – but mostly have driven through.
The post brings back happy memories – we used to visit that bridge when we were kids, driving through Kangaroo valley.