Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is a beautiful region in New South Wales filled with waterfalls, lush forests, and iconic attractions.

The Blue Mountains is a beautiful landscape and is the perfect day trip from Sydney. The region stretches over 11,000 square kilometres, offering expansive forests to explore, serene waterfalls, and spectacular lookouts. Visit one of Australia’s top destinations on a day trip or a short getaway.

How to get to the Blue Mountains

Some of the best ways to get to the Blue Mountains are by car, tour, or train. The Blue Mountains is about an hour’s drive from Sydney by car. It is a 2-hour journey from Central Station to Katoomba Station by train on the Blue Mountains Line. There are earlier stops you can disembark at, such as Leura, Bullaburra, and Wentworth Falls.

Things to do

• Three Sisters

One of the highlights of the Blue Mountains is the iconic rock formation known as the Three Sisters. This landmark was formed over thousands of years and sits above the Jamison Valley. For the best view of the formation, make your way to Echo Point.

• Scenic World

Scenic World is a popular attraction to visit, best known for being home to the world’s steepest railway! There are 3 rides included with your ticket which are Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway, and Scenic Cableway. You will also have access to the Scenic Walkway, a short walk through the Jamison Valley.

• Jamison Valley

Jamison Valley provides breathtaking views across the Blue Mountains. The valley is part of the Coxs River canyon system, which stretches out to the Central Tablelands and Macarthur regions.

• Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Visit the vibrant Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, filled with unique and beautiful plants native to the region. This Botanic Garden is the only one in the world located within a UNESCO World Heritage Area, making it even more special.

The Botanic Garden is home to several themed gardens, lawns, cascades, and pavilions. Take your time wandering through the Garden, spotting rare species of plants, seasonal colours, and the cool climate trees.

• Chase waterfalls

The Blue Mountains have multiple waterfalls to visit, and you can spend a day chasing them all. Katoomba Falls, Wentworth Falls, and Leura Cascades are some of the most popular waterfalls. The best time to see the waterfalls is after rainfall when the falls are much fuller.

• Jenolan Caves

The Jenolan Caves are the world’s most ancient open caves, with stunning limestone formations. There are about 11 show caves open for travellers. However, it is recommended to check online to confirm if the caves are open as they can close due to extreme rainfall and flooding.

• Blue Lake

Close to the Jenolan Caves is a remarkable lake that is bright blue. Blue Lake is a picturesque water hole with smooth blue water, surrounded by lush, green valleys.

The lake was created in 1908 to help supply electricity, but the River Styx and the Jenolan River now feed it. The stunning blue colour comes from dissolved limestone from the Jenolan Caves. Then when sunlight hits the water, it gives it a striking blue shade.

Staying in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains has many small towns with various accommodation options. Spread across the region, you will find options to suit all budgets. You can expect lodges, hotels, guest houses, and cosy cottages.