The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are the most popular tourist destination in the Australian region, with more than 4 million estimated visitors annually.
Marvel at the beauty of the renowned rock formation, Three Sisters from Echo Point Lookout.
Ride the steepest passenger railway at Scenic World or explore the depths of Jenolan Caves, the most extensively discovered cave system.
The Greater Blue Mountains Area is located within the region of the World Heritage Site.
Hours: 24 hours, Monday to Sunday
Last Entry: 7 pm
Time Needed: 1 to 2 days
Ticket Cost: $184 per person
Best Time: Afternoon to Sunset
Location: The Blue Mountains is located in New South Wales, Australia. It is situated to the west of Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales.
Address: New South Wales, Australia. Get directions.
Where to buy Blue Mountains tickets?
There are various approaches to consider when purchasing Blue Mountains tickets, offering numerous options.
We have compiled comprehensive information to guide you through buying Blue Mountains tickets online.
Why buy online Blue Mountains tickets?
The Blue Mountains are a crowd-favorite tourist destination in New South Wales (NSW), with over four million visitors each year.
If you want to save time and avoid waiting in lines, buying Blue Mountains tickets online is the best option for you.
Buying your Blue Mountain tickets or tours online gives you quick and easy access to information about the trip while saving time and money.
Moreover, it saves you the disappointment of last-minute tour fill-ups.
Another advantage of buying Blue Mountain online tickets is choosing your preferred day of the visit months in advance.
Blue Mountain advance tickets are convenient, sparing you from enduring lengthy queues on the spot.
How do online Blue Mountains tickets work?
After finalizing your tour and completing payment, you receive your ticket via email, which you show at the destination.
There is no requirement to carry a physical copy of the ticket.
You also get to cancel the tickets purchased online up to 24 hours before the scheduled time.
Blue Mountains Ticket Prices
The most popular full-day tour from Sydney consists of all the major attractions in Katoomba and more and costs A$ 180 (US$ 124) for anyone over 13 years.
Children under 13 years get a discount of A$ 30 (US$ 19) at a reduced price of A$ 150 (US$ 103).
Types of Blue Mountain tickets
The Blue Mountains’ sandstone plateau, covering vast forests with rough cliffs, offers several viewpoints, grand valleys, thick forests, historic caves, abundant native wildlife, etc.
With such varied destinations come loads of Blue Mountains tickets and tour options.
If you like to get local insights with expert guides, you can choose from the all inclusive tour, the ferry tour and the 1-hour sightseeing tour.
You can also go on unforgettable Blue Mountains adventures with the full-day trip, nature and wildlife tour and the glow worm adventure by night trip.
Blue Mountains, Scenic World All Inclusive Tour
Blue Mountain all inclusive tour tickets are available for those exploring this beautiful Australian destination.
This tour includes access to well-known sites and experiences like bushwalking, biking, canyoneering, and stargazing adventures.
The tour includes views of the Three Sisters from Echo Point lookout and three rides at Scenic World.
This economical tour includes an entry ticket to the Featherdale Wildlife Park and a ferry cruise along the Parramatta River.
Adult ticket (13 years and above): A$ 285 (US$ 184)
Child ticket (3 to 12 years): A$ 220 (US$ 142)
Infant ticket (upto 2 years): A$ 105 (US$ 68)
Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip
You can also choose a guided tour that covers the Three Sisters, Echo Point, and Scenic World rides in Katoomba.
This tour is also a great option, which includes a visit to Leura Featherdale Zoo and a cruise back to Circular Quay.
Adult ticket (13 years and above): A$ 190 (US$ 123)
Child ticket (3 to 12 years): A$ 160 (US$ 103)
Infant ticket (upto 2 years): Free Entry
Blue Mountains, Scenic World, Zoo, & Ferry Tour
Join a small group tour to the Blue Mountains from Sydney in a minivan for a full-day trip with a maximum of 21 people.
Experience Scenic World, where you can ride the world’s steepest railway with a 52-64 degree incline.
Enjoy the Skyway with a see-through glass bottom, take a Cableway ride, and explore a rainforest walk.
Adult ticket (13 years and above): A$ 250 (US$ 161)
Child ticket (upto 12 years): A$ 225 (US$ 145)
Blue Mountains Afternoon and Sunset Tour
On this Blue Mountains tour, you will discover native plants, animals, and the local indigenous culture.
Begin a scenic bushwalk with a Jamison Valley view, then visit a fantastic viewpoint overlooking Australia’s remarkable Wentworth Falls.
Adult ticket (13 years and above): A$ 165 (US$ 107)
Child ticket (6 to 12 years): A$ 125 (US$ 81)
Infant ticket (upto 5 years): Not permitted
Lyrebird Hop-On Hop-Off and Scenic World Pass
If you want to explore the area on your terms, explore the Blue Mountains with this combined pass covering five attractions.
You will experience a full-day hop-on-hop-off pass, along with unlimited access to Scenic World’s Skyway, Railway, Walkway, and Cableway.
Adult ticket (18 years and above): A$ 99 (US$ 64)
Youth ticket (16 to 17 years): A$ 55 (US$ 36)
Child ticket (upto 15 years): A$ 33 (US$ 21)
The guided Wentworth Falls group tour with the Three Sisters at Echo Point and Featherdale Park provides a fun-filled day for a reasonable price, beginning at A$ 245 (US$ 168).
A guided adventure to the glow worm tunnel or a tour of the Jenolan Caves is another terrific option if you want to venture out into the dark depths of the Blue Mountains.
You can even try canyoneering in the Blue Mountains with an experienced instructor and technical equipment.
Or you can access unique parts of the national park with a 4WD adventure tour, which includes pickup from anywhere in the Blue Mountains and beautiful views of the Capertree Valley area.
Ticket Discounts
Several Blue Mountain discount tickets are available for visitors to make the experience even more affordable.
Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Explorer Bus
One of the most popular ways to score a discount is by opting for the Blue Mountains Explorer Pass.
This pass offers unlimited access to the Blue Mountains National Park and discounts on activities such as the Scenic World Skyway, Cableway, and Railway.
Adult ticket (18 years and more): A$ 49 (US$ 32)
Family ticket (2 adults + upto 5 child ticket): A$ 98 (US$ 63)
Note: Kids under 18 ride free with a paying adult
Passes can be collected at Katoomba railway station.
Go City Explorer Pass
The Sydney City Pass, which includes access to 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions and activities in and around Sydney, also offers a discount on child and infant tickets.
Children between the ages of 4 and 15 receive an A$ 27 (US$ 19) discount on adult Blue Mountains tickets.
Infants under the age of 3 years do not require a ticket and can get free entry by availing of this city pass.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 Choice | A$ 73 (US$ 47) |
| 3 Choice | A$ 109 (US$ 70) |
| 4 Choice | A$ 139 (US$ 90) |
| 5 Choice | A$ 164 (US$ 106) |
| 7 Choice | A$ 192 (US$ 123) |
Facts about the Blue Mountains
The 470 million-year-old Blue Mountains have an intriguing past, incredible geology, and a vibrant plant and animal population.
Let’s learn some interesting facts about the Blue Mountains.
The 470 million-year-old Blue Mountains have an intriguing past, incredible geology, and a vibrant plant and animal population.
Let’s learn some interesting facts about the Blue Mountains.
- Covering more than 250 kilometers, the Blue Mountains offer Australia’s largest network of walking tracks.
- The Blue Mountains, welcoming between 3.5 and 4 million people annually, are New South Wales (NSW) one of the busiest tourist destinations.
Domestic day visitors spend around $250 million annually in the region.
- The Blue Mountains region contains the world’s most extensively discovered cave system, Jenolan Caves. It is estimated to be at least 340 million years old.
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Greater Blue Mountains Area, which makes up 70% of the total Blue Mountains, is the only heritage location where trees predominate. (Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Water, NSW)
- Within the Greater Blue Mountains region, there are more than 400 distinct animal species and more than 100 species of eucalyptus.
- The Greater Blue Mountains Area houses around 150 plant species found nowhere else.
- Aboriginal people have lived in the Blue Mountains for at least 22,000 years. The Gundungurra and Darug tribes were the first to inhabit the region.
Today, Katoomba serves as the headquarters of the Gundungurra Tribal Council Aboriginal Corporation.
- The Blue Mountains are home to the steepest passenger train in the world.
It is located at Scenic World in Katoomba.
The railway, built on old mining tram tracks, descends 415 meters over rocky cliffs at a maximum gradient of 52 degrees.
- Governor Phillip first named the Blue Mountains—Carmarthen Hills and Landsdowne Hills—in 1788.
- The name ‘Blue Mountains’ comes from the blue haze that appears over the mountains when viewed from a distance.
The blue tint is caused by Rayleigh scattering, an optical phenomenon in which the interactions of dust, water vapor, and short-wave light produce a blue-grayish color to distant objects.
- In 1917, Jenolan completed the first hydroelectric power project in the Greater Blue Mountains to produce electricity in Australia.
Throughout history, strange incidents and mysterious practices have been associated with the Blue Mountains region.
Legends abound in this area, ranging from sightings of UFOs, ghosts, and a black panther in the Lithgow area to the bipedal creatures known as yowies.
You may even join a mystery or ghost tour to learn more about the various myths surrounding this region.
- The inhabitants of Katoomba, the leading tourist destination, and the local government have won multiple legal fights to prevent fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC from operating in the Blue Mountains.
The sole fast food restaurant in Katoomba is Subway.
Take a tour of the Blue Mountains and learn more about the region’s history and current natural setting.
Attractions near Blue Mountains Australia
Katoomba
Katoomba, nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, is a charming mountain town renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty.
It’s a gateway to iconic attractions like the Three Sisters rock formation, with stunning views at Echo Point.
Visitors can explore lush rainforests, embark on thrilling adventures, and savor the town’s artsy vibe.
Katoomba is a haven for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a tranquil escape from city life amidst awe-inspiring landscapes.
Taronga Zoo
Sydney Zoo or Taronga Zoo, situated in Western Sydney, is a modern and conservation-focused wildlife sanctuary.
It houses a diverse collection of animals from around the world, including native Australian species and exotic creatures.
Sydney Zoo provides a chance to connect with nature, learn about wildlife conservation, and appreciate the importance of preserving Earth’s biodiversity through exhibits and educational programs.
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Featherdale Wildlife Park, nestled in Sydney’s western suburbs, is a beloved destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
It is home to a remarkable variety of Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.
Visitors can get up close and personal with these iconic creatures, feed kangaroos, and even cuddle koalas.
The park’s commitment to conservation and education makes it a fantastic place for families and nature lovers to experience the unique wildlife of Australia in a safe and interactive environment.
FAQs
Where is Blue Mountain Australia?
The Blue Mountains are a region in New South Wales, Australia, west of Sydney.
It is located within the region of the natural reserve, centered on the Grose River valley, called Blue Mountains National Park.
You can reach the 1436 square kilometer-large Blue Mountains by train or car about an hour from Sydney.
Why is it called Blue Mountain Australia?
The name ‘Blue Mountain’ comes from the blue haze that appears over the mountains when viewed from a distance.
You see stunning waterfalls, rivers, canals, and lush rainforests in the Blue Mountains region, home to various local wild animal species.
The oil fog, reflected by the light from a distance, makes the mountains appear enveloped in a blue haze.
Did aboriginals live in the Blue Mountains?
The two main indigenous tribes that inhabited the mountains as a shelter, hunting area, and ceremonial ground were the Darug and Gundungurra.
Other tribes, including Dharawal, Darkinjung, Wanaruah, and Wiradjuri, have ties to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
How do you get around the Blue Mountains?
The Blue Mountains region is easily reachable from Sydney by car or train.
Once there, most of the sites in the area have walking paths that link to the area’s main attractions. You can, however, reach certain sections by vehicle.
The best way to explore the Blue Mountains without a car is on the Blue Mountains Explorer bus.
Why is Blue Mountain famous?
The Blue Mountains are famous for their towering sandstone hills covered with native flora.
Charming mountain communities, old Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls, historic forests, and walking trails are all tucked away in the countryside.
Native wildlife and trees, including the superb lyrebird, red-necked wallabies, eucalyptus trees, and Sydney red gum trees, are easy to spot in the quiet towns here.
Are the Blue Mountains worth visiting?
Yes, it is worth visiting. The area has a long history and a rich cultural legacy, with six known Aboriginal settlements and a World Heritage status.
You discover more than 1,500 plant species, and one-third of Australia’s bird species is ten times older than the Grand Canyon
How long does it take to drive from Sydney to the Blue Mountains?
The Great Western Highway, M4, connects Sydney to the Blue Mountains, located around 100 kilometers (61 miles) west.
When the roads are not congested, a trip from Sydney to Katoomba takes around 90 minutes.
A train ride to Katoomba takes about 115 minutes from Sydney Central Station.
What is the best time to visit the Blue Mountains?
Any time of the year is an excellent opportunity to travel to the countryside and appreciate the Blue Mountains. However, the best time to visit the Blue Mountains is summer.
From December to February, the area’s milder environment is ideal, with vibrant blooms, running waterfalls, and lush trees to avoid the heat of the cities below.
Can you do the Blue Mountains in a day?
Most people visit Katoomba, a town in the Blue Mountains region, on a day-long guided tour from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
With the Three Sisters from Echo Point Lookout, the nearby tourist complex, Scenic World, and walking trails beside cliffs and historic forests, Katoomba is the best one-day getaway.
How many days do you need in the Blue Mountains?
It would help if you had several days to explore the area thoroughly.
Nearby towns, including Lithgow and Oberon, offer attractions like Jenolan Caves, the Zig Zag Railway, and glow-worm tunnels.
Follow an itinerary for the Blue Mountains for a hassle-free and efficient weekend trip.
What city is near the Blue Mountains in Australia?
The Blue Mountains are only a few hours’ drives from the metropolis of Sydney.
Katoomba and Leura, the two major towns in the Blue Mountains, are 30 minutes farther west of Sydney.
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