Drive to Kandos, but stay over

Kandos is a pleasant 3½ hours drive from Sydney via the Blue Mountains, on Wiradjuri Country. Not impossible for a day trip, but once you get here you’ll want to stay. We strongly recommend at least one night for the full Cementa experience. Over the 4 days and nights of the festival we present works from more than 40 artists – many including performance – and evening events are some of the most popular festival highlights. If you find that accommodation is booked out in Kandos and Rylstone, we recommend looking at Mudgee which is only 40 minutes away and offers its own attractions like wineries and fine dining (more tips below).

Kandos is 4 hours drive from Canberra, 3 hours from Newcastle, 40 minutes from Mudgee, 1 hour from Bathurst and 2 hours from Dubbo. Cementa is headquartered at 71 Angus Avenue, Kandos.

Train + Coach

Catch the train from Sydney to Lithgow (1 hour away from Kandos).

Coach services to Kandos link at Lithgow via NSW Trip Planner, hire a car below or **NEW** join our courtesy bus between Lithgow - Kandos on Friday AM/PM & Saturday PM. Full C24 bus timetable HERE. 

Book complimentary Cementa services here (click 'Skip to Add ons' if already registered) and Thursday - Sunday public services (including Saturday AM Lithgow-Kandos) via NSW Trainlink.

Car hire / car share

So many car hire/ car share options from Sydney, Lithgow, Mudgee or Katoomba. 

Fly

Fly Pelican flys Sydney to Mudgee (a 40 min drive from Kandos) which has multiple car hire options.

Accommodation

Visit discoverrylstonekandos.com.au, airbnb.com.au & booking.com for accomodation in Kandos and nearby Rylstone (10 mins drive). WARNING: Book now!  Beds in Kandos and Rylstone book out very quickly during Cementa Festival. 

Accommodation options around the greater region include a range of hotels, motels, pubs, BnBs and glamping in Lithgow, Capertee and Mudgee. 

AVAILABLE (cancellation) as at 17 Sept are rooms at Kandos Hotel/ Motel (phone 02 6379 4030).

STILL AVAILABLE as at 13 Sept are two farmstays: Camphill Cottage (14 min away) & Frank's Breakaway (21 min away).

For camping, Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) in nearby Wollemi National Park is a beautiful camping, swimming, kayaking and walking spot 30 minutes from Kandos. Over 70 unpowered site are available, with toilets & fire pits. Bookings here.

For camping closer to Kandos, check out 

- Rylstone Caravan Park, 10 minutes from Kandos. The park is currently undergoing a renovation and will have 16 powered sites, 6 unpowered sites and 5 cabins ready by September 2024 - book early

- Rylstone Showground has been opened for overflow camping. Toielts available, no showers. Contact 6378 2850.

- Ilford Valley Cherry Farm (10 min drive) which has cabins and camping

- Cudgegong Waters Park (Windemere Dam), 20 minutes drive from both Kandos and Mudgee; allows pets

- Olinda Community Hall (20 min drive) between Kandos and Ganguddy

Slightly further out, check out, booking.com or Agoda for Mudgee hotel options, Royal Hotel Capertee & Turon Gates Mountain Retreat.

Friends

Mudgee Region Tourism & Seven Valleys have further information on where to sleep, eat and drink in the Mudgee region and Seven Valleys (Lithgow - Capertee) region. 

Visit our drink sponsors Mountain Culture Beer Co's Katoomba Brewpub in Katoomba and De Beaurepaire Wines in Rylstone.