🇦🇺 Blue Mountains, Australia
Zig Zag Motel
📍 70 Chifley Road, Vale of Clwydd, 2790
Your stay — Zig Zag Motel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Blue Mountains.
The Property — Zig Zag Motel
The Zig Zag Motel is a roadside classic, perched on the Great Western Highway in the upper Blue Mountains. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense stop for travellers who value a clean room, a hot shower, and a short walk to the bushland trails of Leura and Katoomba. Its main selling point is the spectacular escarpment view from the balcony rooms, but expect mid-century motel architecture and basic amenities rather than boutique charm. It suits self-drive tourists, hikers, and budget-conscious couples who want the mountain panorama without the fuss.
Chronicles of Blue Mountains
Katoomba, the main town of the Blue Mountains, grew from a coal-mining settlement in the 1880s into a tourist resort by the early 20th century, when the railway reached the plateau. Its iconic sandstone escarpments and the famous Three Sisters rock formation were shaped by millions of years of erosion from the soft Narrabeen Group sandstones. Architecturally, the town retains a mix of Victorian guesthouses, Art Deco shopfronts, and 1970s motels, reflecting its boom-and-bust tourism cycles. Today, Katoomba is a laid-back hub for hikers, artists, and weekenders, with a strong café culture and a growing focus on Aboriginal heritage interpretation at sites like the Three Sisters lookout.
Best Time to Visit
Full Blue Mountains guide →Best months
March–May for crisp autumn air, clear skies, and fewer crowds; April offers stunning fall foliage in Leura.
Peak / festival surge
December–January (summer school holidays) plus the Katoomba Winter Magic Festival in June; hotel prices double and roads are congested. The festival’s street parade and live music draw day-trippers from Sydney.
Budget shoulder season
February (post-holiday lull) and August (end of winter) offer discounts of 20–30% and mild, dry weather for hiking.
Weather & packing
July is the depths of winter here, with overnight lows often below zero and daytime highs around 8°C; pack thermals, a down jacket, and solid waterproof boots for icy tracks.
Live City Briefing — Blue Mountains
- The Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Blackheath is ongoing, with night closures and reduced lanes; check the NSW Transport website for real-time delays.
- A new Indigenous-guided ‘Songline Walk’ launched in May 2026 at the Three Sisters precinct, offering visitor insights into Gundungurra creation stories.
- The Scenic World cable cars are undergoing maintenance on the Skyway until mid-July, so the Cableway and Railway remain the only scenic rides operating.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Zig Zag Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Upper floor rooms at the rear (south-west side) away from Chifley Road. The top floor (likely the highest of the 2-storey motel) reduces footfall noise from guests walking above. Request a 'mountain view' room if available — these face the escarpment rather than the highway.
Rooms to avoid
Any rooms directly facing Chifley Road, especially on the ground floor. The A32 is a main route through the Blue Mountains with early morning truck traffic. Ground-floor rooms near the car park or ice machine also suffer from slamming doors and guest chatter.
Best views
Request a 'rear-facing' or 'mountain view' room. The motel sits on the north-east side of Chifley Road, so front rooms look over the road and towards the opposite hillside. Rear rooms (south-west) overlook the bush and offer distant views of Mt York, with less artificial light at night.
Quietest floors
Upper floor (second floor) — less impact noise from footsteps overhead and further from street-level disturbances. Aim for rooms ending in an odd number, which usually means they're away from the central stairwell and lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Chifley Road is part of the Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains. Expect light traffic between 11pm and 5am, but from 6am onwards it builds quickly. Saturday and Sunday afternoons see tourism traffic returning from the mountains. The motel has no soundproofed rooms — standard double-glazing at best.
Insider tips
1) Park at the rear of the property if possible — the car park in front of the office can get tight on weekends, and the rear lot is quieter. 2) Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a top-floor rear room; the motel doesn't guarantee floor preferences with late arrivals.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Zig Zag Motel
Complimentary unlimited WiFi for all guests; single network, no password required per room.
No lift. Motel is single-storey with external corridors; all rooms ground level.
No physical newspapers. Free access to PressReader via a tablet at the front desk.
Standard check-in 14:00–20:00. Early bag drop from 10:00 if room available. Late check-out fee $30 until 12:00, requests by 09:00 day of departure.
Free of charge; leave with reception during office hours (08:00–20:00).
Step-free entry to reception and one accessible room (Room 1) with widened doors and grab rails. No hearing loops.
Free on-site parking directly outside each room; first come, first served, approx. 15 spaces. No EV charging. Nearest public car park is off the Great Western Highway in Katoomba ($5/day).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full room charge taken at booking; a $50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Hoskins Uniting Church (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: St Paul's Anglican Church (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lithgow Valley Plaza — 2.6 km · ~33 min walk
Blast Furnace Park — 371 m · ~5 min walk
Eskbank House — 792 m · ~10 min walk
Union Theatre — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ANZ — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Dougherty's Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Lithgow Station — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Withdraw from ATMs in town for the best rate; avoid currency exchange at airports or tourist bureaux which add high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work almost everywhere; Amex less common.
Tipping is not expected; rounding up for good service in restaurants is appreciated but rare; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Flat white from a local cafe, around $4.50–$5.
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery, about $7–$10.
Pub main such as a burger or pasta, $20–$25.
Takeaway fish and chips or Chinese from suburban shops; no dedicated street-food strip in the Vale of Clwydd area.
Woolworths and Coles are the main budget supermarket chains in the Blue Mountains region.
Kmart or Big W in nearby towns like Katoomba or Lithgow for affordable basics; no high-street fashion in Vale of Clwydd itself.
Bus day pass (Opal card) about $8; from Sydney airport take the train to Katoomba (then bus or taxi) — the train is far cheaper than a shuttle.
1. Buy groceries at Coles or Woolworths and cook at your accommodation. 2. Use an Opal card for public transport — daily cap limits spending. 3. Eat lunch at pubs rather than dinner for cheaper specials.
Good to know — Blue Mountains
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
Blue MountainsWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Blue Mountains, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Zig Zag Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ANZ — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Dougherty's Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sydney International Airport Station → Katoomba Station (Bellbirds is 1.5 km walk or short taxi)
💡 Tap on with an Opal card at the airport station (adds a $14.30 gate fee). Change at Central Station for the Blue Mountains line – sit on the left side leaving Sydney for valley views. Takes about 2 hours from airport to Katoomba.
Sydney Airport (SYD) → Bellbirds Bed and Breakfast, Katoomba
💡 Use a fixed-rate airport transfer service like Maxi Taxis or Katoomba Taxis to avoid meter surprises. Book ahead for a sedan; the drive via M4 is fastest outside peak 7-9am and 4-7pm.
Katoomba Station → Bellbirds Bed and Breakfast (Stop: Katoomba St near Bathurst Rd)
💡 Route 685 runs the loop. Get off at Katoomba Street near Bathurst Road – it's a 5-minute uphill walk to Bellbirds. Plan your exit before 5pm on weekends; after that a taxi from the station is $15.
Central Station, Sydney → Katoomba Station
💡 Standard off-peak fare is $8.40. Avoid the 6-hour ride – that's a car breakdown route. For the best sunset view, take the 3:30pm train from Central, arrive at Katoomba by 5:30pm, then walk 20 mins up to Echo Point before dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Zig Zag Motel?
Upper floor rooms at the rear (south-west side) away from Chifley Road. The top floor (likely the highest of the 2-storey motel) reduces footfall noise from guests walking above. Request a 'mountain view' room if available — these face the escarpment rather than the highway.
Which rooms should I avoid at Zig Zag Motel?
Any rooms directly facing Chifley Road, especially on the ground floor. The A32 is a main route through the Blue Mountains with early morning truck traffic. Ground-floor rooms near the car park or ice machine also suffer from slamming doors and guest chatter.
Is Zig Zag Motel noisy?
Chifley Road is part of the Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains. Expect light traffic between 11pm and 5am, but from 6am onwards it builds quickly. Saturday and Sunday afternoons see tourism traffic returning from the mountains. The motel has no soundproofed rooms — standard double-glazing at best.
Which rooms have the best views at Zig Zag Motel?
Request a 'rear-facing' or 'mountain view' room. The motel sits on the north-east side of Chifley Road, so front rooms look over the road and towards the opposite hillside. Rear rooms (south-west) overlook the bush and offer distant views of Mt York, with less artificial light at night.
What are insider tips for staying at Zig Zag Motel?
1) Park at the rear of the property if possible — the car park in front of the office can get tight on weekends, and the rear lot is quieter. 2) Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a top-floor rear room; the motel doesn't guarantee floor preferences with late arrivals.
What time is check-in at Zig Zag Motel?
Check-in at Zig Zag Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Zig Zag Motel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary unlimited WiFi for all guests; single network, no password required per room.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Zig Zag Motel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Zig Zag Motel?
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery, about $7–$10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Zig Zag Motel?
Bus day pass (Opal card) about $8; from Sydney airport take the train to Katoomba (then bus or taxi) — the train is far cheaper than a shuttle.
When is the best time to visit Blue Mountains?
March–May for crisp autumn air, clear skies, and fewer crowds; April offers stunning fall foliage in Leura.
Top Attractions in Blue Mountains
💡 Go before 9am or after 4pm to avoid the coach crowds. The first sunlight hitting the sandstone is dramatic. Bring a jacket even in summer—it gets chilly on the escarpment.
💡 Walk down the Giant Stairway, then turn left at the bottom and follow the Federal Pass back to the Scenic Railway station. That way you skip the hardest climb back up. Total loop is about 1.5 hours. It's closed after heavy rain—check the NPWS website first.
💡 The rooftop cafe, Cargo Bar, has panoramic windows overlooking the valley. You can sit there without paying gallery entry. Friday nights they sometimes have free live music.
💡 The 'National Pass' section is steep and can be slippery after rain. Stick to the 'Overcliff/Undercliff' loop for a less punishing walk with equally good views. Start at the Conservation Hut car park to skip the busier main entrance.
💡 This is the least crowded of the major lookouts on weekends. Visit late afternoon for golden light on the cliffs. From the lookout you can descend the 'Govetts Leap Descent' track, but allow 2 hours to walk back up.