By rail
Katoomba station, ~2 h from Sydney Central
Australia & New Zealand · Australia
Blue Mountains, Australia
Eucalyptus haze, cliffs and waterfalls
Getting there
By air
Sydney (SYD), ~2 h by road or train
Best time to visit
September to November and March to May — mild hiking weather
Don't miss
The Three Sisters
Wentworth Falls
Govetts Leap lookout
The Jenolan Caves
Things to do
The Three Sisters
Bushwalks
The Scenic Railway
The Jenolan Caves
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Layers, hiking boots
A quieter corner
The Grand Canyon Track near Blackheath
Questions travellers ask
How do I get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney?
Take the train from Sydney Central to Katoomba station, about 2 h, or drive — it's about 2 h by road.
When is the best hiking weather in the Blue Mountains?
September to November and March to May bring mild hiking weather. Pack layers and hiking boots.
What are the top sights in the Blue Mountains?
The Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls, Govetts Leap lookout and the Jenolan Caves. Ride the Scenic Railway and fit in a bushwalk or two.
Is there a lesser-known walk in the Blue Mountains?
The Grand Canyon Track near Blackheath. Refuel afterwards at Blackheath's bakeries or Leura's cafés.
About Blue Mountains
- Mountains
- Forest
Where it is
The Blue Mountains are a rugged sandstone plateau in New South Wales, Australia, rising west of Sydney and cut by deep, eucalyptus-filled valleys and cliffs, with towns such as Katoomba and Leura along the ridge.
History
The Darug and Gundungurra peoples are among the Traditional Owners of the Blue Mountains, which hold rock art and sacred sites. The sheer cliffs held back British colonists until Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth made the first recorded European crossing in 1813, opening the way to the inland plains. The Greater Blue Mountains Area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
People
Mountain towns such as Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath are home to English-speaking Australians, among them many artists and people working in tourism, and the Darug and Gundungurra peoples share their culture through guided walks and storytelling. Local festivals include Winter Magic in Katoomba and the Yulefest tradition of midwinter Christmas dinners.
Known for
- The Three Sisters at Echo Point
- Wentworth Falls and Govetts Leap
- The Scenic Railway at Katoomba
- The Jenolan Caves
- Bushwalks such as the Grand Canyon Track
Did you know?
The blue haze that gives the mountains their name is thought to come from fine droplets of oil released by the eucalyptus trees, which scatter blue light.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.