Blue Mountains Travelers Recommend

An area of stunning natural beauty, home to dense forests, sandstone cliffs, dramatic canyons, and waterfalls, the Blue Mountains region is a highlight of any trip to Australia. With just one day, you’ll want to see as much of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as possible, so here’s how to make the most of one day in the Blue Mountains.

Morning: Take in the Region’s Sights

Many travelers visit the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney. Most tour options include transport from the city, which saves you the stress of driving or booking train tickets separately. Regardless of whether you’re day-tripping or staying the night, take in the area’s most important landmarks this morning, such as the Three Sisters and Echo Point lookouts. Alternatively, if you arrive by train independently, a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour departing from Katoomba Railway Station lets you explore the area at your own pace.

Afternoon: Wildlife and Aerial Views

Head to Scenic World this afternoon, where you can enjoy unlimited access to all of its attractions with an all-day pass. You can ride the Scenic Railway along the Jamison Valley floor, hike the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) Scenic Walkway, or enjoy spectacular views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley aboard the Scenic Cableway or Scenic Skyway. Alternatively, spend your afternoon getting acquainted with some of Australia’s most iconic native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to Tasmanian devils, koalas, wallabies, and wombats. The park offers keeper talks, feeding demonstrations, and the opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos and emus under supervision.

Night: Delve Deeper and Dine

True wildlife fans can take a nighttime tour of nearby Wollemi National Park, within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area, to discover its nocturnal wildlife. On a guided walk by spotlight, you’ll learn more about the behavior of  wombats, sugar gliders, kangaroos, and owls, as well as the history, ecology, and geology that make the landscape unique. Otherwise, round out your day with a leisurely dinner in Katoomba, Blackheath, Leura, or Blax. The popularity of trips to the Blue Mountains among Sydneysiders has inspired a raft of excellent restaurants, many of which use locally sourced produce and take advantage of the bounty of nearby wineries.

Most travelers visit the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site on a day trip from Sydney, but this region, replete with stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich indigenous culture, deserves more of your time. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in the Blue Mountains.

Day 1: Check Out the Sights

**Morning:**Check off the most important landmarks, such as the Three Sisters and Echo Point lookouts, and get an introduction to the region on a private or group sightseeing tour. Alternatively, a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour, departing from Katoomba Railway Station, lets you explore at your own pace.

**Afternoon:**Embark on an easy hike from Leura Cascades to Bridal Veil Falls or opt for the more challenging Echo Point Trail, in which the Giant Stairway leads to the Three Sisters. 

**Night:**Stick around Katoomba for the evening, as the town is home to some excellent restaurants serving locally sourced produce. You’ll find a diverse cluster of eateries on and around the main drag, Katoomba Street, and higher-end restaurants inside the town’s hotels and resorts. 

Day 2: Dive Deeper Into the Natural Surroundings

**Morning:**Kick off your second day adventurously on an abseiling tour, taking in unparalleled views of the Blue Mountains as you rappel down a rock face. Tours are typically suitable even for those with little or no experience and include all abseiling equipment.

**Afternoon:**Spend this afternoon exploring the attractions of Scenic World. An all-day pass gives you unlimited access to the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway; the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) Scenic Walkway elevated boardwalk; the Scenic Cableway, an aerial cable car; and the glass-floored Scenic Skyway, which glides between cliff tops and over rain forest canopy.

**Night:**Conclude your visit to the Blue Mountains on an evening tour of Wollemi National Park to discover its nocturnal wildlife. With the aid of a spotlight and guide, you’ll have the chance to learn about and see wombats, sugar gliders, kangaroos, and owls.

Home to nature-rich forests, dramatic canyons, and waterfalls, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park lets you enjoy Australia’s natural beauty without having to travel far from Sydney. Three days give you ample time to explore corner of the region; here’s how. 

Day 1: Enjoy Mother Nature

A tour of the Blue Mountains’ natural wonders lets you skip the hassle of car hire while ensuring that you don’t miss any of the most important landmarks, which include the Three Sisters Viewpoint and Echo Point. For a more flexible approach, travel around the main attractions at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which typically depart from Katoomba Railway Station.

In the afternoon, embark on an easy hike from Leura Cascades to Bridal Veil Falls or opt for the more challenging Echo Point Trail, in which the Giant Stairway leads to the Three Sisters. Afterward, head back into Katoomba for dinner; on Katoomba Street, you’ll find restaurants that serve everything from high-end Australian and French cuisine to casual pub grub.

Day 2: Take to the Sky

Start your day in Leura, a town that’s nicknamed the Jewel of the Mountain’s Crown. Enjoy breakfast at one of Leura Mall’s cafés and then wander around the shops and galleries that line the streets. 

Devote the afternoon to Scenic World, which encompasses the Scenic Skyway, Scenic Cableway, Scenic Walkway, and Scenic Railway. Armed with an all-day pass, enjoy unlimited access to all of its attractions. Ride the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway; hike the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) Scenic Walkway, an elevated boardwalk that passes over rainforest; and enjoy views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley aboard the Scenic Cableway or Scenic Skyway.

Day 3: Get a Taste of Adventure

Conclude your visit to the Blue Mountains with some adventure. Explore the UNESCO-listed Jenolan Caves on a tour that takes you down 1,298 stairs into the 340 million-year-old labyrinth. Alternatively, opt for an abseiling tour—which offers unparalleled views of the area’s natural surroundings as you rappel down cliffs—or a canyoning adventure that lets you descend to Juggler Canyon, the Blue Mountains' equivalent to the Grand Canyon. If you can’t decide, look for tours that combine two or more activities into one trip.

Round out your day with a trip to Wollemi National Park, where you can discover its nocturnal wildlife on a tour. You’ll look for, and learn about, wombats, sugar gliders, kangaroos, owls, and more on a guided night walk. 

Most of the incredible views within the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Blue Mountains are only accessible on foot, making this national park one of Australia’s premier destinations for hikers, trekkers, and backpackers. Here are some of the best walking trails and bushwalks for outdoor enthusiasts in New South Wales.

Leura Cascades Circuit

The trip from Leura Cascades to Bridal Veil Falls is an easy walk ideal for families. It takes most hikers an hour or less, and despite its reputation as a low-impact walk, the trail still provides a beautiful outdoor experience. Hikers can sit under the overhang and watch the falls rush down, while the more adventurous can climb to the top of the Leura cliff for even better views.

Three Sisters Walk

The Three Sisters represent one of the most iconic sights in Blue Mountains National Park, and this half-mile (1-kilometer) walk near Echo Point offers changing views of the peaks, including a close view of the first sister. This easy walk is an excellent option for families.

Jellybean Pool

It takes approximately an hour to complete the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) hike to Jellybean Pool, a swimming hole popular with families. Though it doesn’t afford the hilltop views of some more difficult treks, its nearby picnic tables, easily accessible toilets, and rare birds make this freshwater swimming hole worth the trip.

National Pass

One of the most famous bushwalks in all of Australia, National Pass begins at the Wentworth Falls picnic area before making a 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) circuit past many panoramic lookout points with views of the waterfalls and Jamison Valley.

Cliff Top Walking Track

This 2-mile (3-kilometer) trail in Blackheath runs between Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout, two of the most impressive lookout points in the Blue Mountains. With stellar views of Grose Valley, the walk connects with popular Grand Canyon Walk.

Six-Foot Track

It takes three days to traverse the 27-mile (44-kilometer) Six-Foot Track leading from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves. Along the way, hikers are treated to views of rivers, waterfalls, and the spectacular Bowtells Swing Bridge over the Coxs River.