Snow and freezing temperatures hit NSW's Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Orange and Bathurst, as winter nears its end

Snow falls to locals and tourists' delight on parts of the Blue Mountains

Parts of New South Wales have received a dumping of snow, just days before winter is officially over.

The heaviest falls have been reported in the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, as well as higher ground at Orange and Bathurst.

“This is the most we’ve had this season,” Orange-district farmer Graeme Eastwood said.

“There's about an inch of cover everywhere and the dog looks happy enough keeping out of it.

“When I came home last night about six o'clock there wasn't really any settled but by about eight o'clock there was about an inch.”

The freezing conditions have created dangerous driving conditions for motorists, with black ice forming on some roads.

Every man and his dog was out to see the snow falling.  (ABC News )

Helicopter footage shows parts of the Blue Mountains covered in snow.

The Great Western Highway has reopened between Katoomba and Mount Victoria, and Bells Line of Road is open between Bell and Lithgow, but drivers are still being warned to be cautious.

The State Emergency Service (SES) said it had responded to about 14 calls for help in the past day, mainly due to the wet weather and storms.

"The main concern for road users is that black ice this morning specifically around the Blue Mountains area, so between Katoomba and Mount Victoria," SES acting superintendent Joshua Clarke said.

Blackheath has transformed into a winter wonderland. (Supplied: David Tobin)

A very frosty letterbox in Blackheath. (Supplied: David Tobin)

Not put off by the icy temperatures, Stan Chen rode his bike from Blackheath to Katoomba.

"When else can you get to ride through the bush with the snow falling on top of you, and being so crazy, I've got the place to myself," he said.

"My hands are freezing … but it won't be for long," he laughed.

At Leura there was enough of a fall for snowballs for brothers Roman, Kruze and Hunter. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)

Stan Chen rode his bike from Blackheath to Katoomba. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)

Black ice is a thin coating of transparent ice on roads, which is often invisible to motorists. 

The ice hinders both the grip of car tyres and the effectiveness of brakes. 

"Allow that extra distance between yourself and the car in front of you," Mr Clarke said. 

"Slow down. And if you think you’ve slowed down enough, it doesn't hurt to take it down a bit further."

Heavy snow fell at Yetholme between Bathurst and Lithgow on the central tablelands. (ABC News: Mollie Gorman)

Blackheath station was covered by thick snow overnight.  (ABC News)

The Barrington Tops in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region also received snow. (Supplied: Rob B)

Transport for New South Wales said it had sent out crews on Tuesday night to lay salt to try to prevent black ice.

The Barrington Tops in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region also received snow overnight.

Up to 30 centimetres was reported at Mount Polblue in the national park and 10 centimetres at Dingo Gate.

"The Northern Tablelands also received a light dusting," Helen Kirkup from the Bureau of Meteorology said.

"But we're not expecting any more snow for quite some time. That system has taken what little snowfall there was and moved it out to sea." 

The Barrington Tops received 30 centimetres of snow at Mount Polblue.    (Supplied: Rob B)