In 1804, colonial explorer and biologist George Caley walked from the Hawkesbury River to Mount Banks, NSW. The Botanists Way is based on the route's association with Caley, as well as other botanical explorers of the area, and takes in traditional Aboriginal pathways, Aboriginal knowledge and use of plants, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and the diverse bushland of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The Botanists Way touring route links the Hawkesbury Valley and Lithgow along the Bells Line of Road and Chifley Road, connecting many of the botanical attractions and themes in the area and crossing the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with spectacular wilderness on both sides of the road.

Megalong Valley

The Botanists Way touring route links the Hawkesbury Valley and Lithgow along the Bells Line of Road and Chifley Road. The Botanists Way connects many of the botanical attractions and themes in the area and crosses the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with spectacular wilderness on both sides of the road.The Botanists Way is also part of the larger Grand Circular Tourist Drive through the Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Oberon and Blue Mountains areas.

The 90 km drive along The Botanists Way between the Hawkesbury and Lithgow takes less than an hour and a half, but a whole day or even several days can be spent exploring all the sights and experiences along the way.