Things to do in the Blue Mountains
One of Australia’s most well-known wilderness places is the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
It is one of Sydney’s most popular day trips, spanning over a million hectares, including Blue Mountains National Park.
It is located around 60 km from Sydney, in New South Wales.
The Blue Mountains in Australia have breathtaking alpine scenery, outstanding biodiversity, and a strong Aboriginal heritage.
The Blue Mountains are named so because of the blue haze from their many eucalyptus trees.
It is a refuge for nature enthusiasts, with its rugged rock formations, pure eucalyptus forests, numerous wildlife, waterfalls, ravines, and more than 140 km of hiking paths and historical routes.
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Due to their stunning topography, you can do excellent activities like rock climbing, canyoning, caving, canoeing, abseiling, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping.
From Echo Point Lookout, view the Three Sisters.
The most alluring tourist destination of The Blue Mountains is the Three Sisters rock formation, close to Katoomba.
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These majestic sandstone pillars rise more than 900 m above the Jamison Valley, shrouded in mist that features in countless famous shots of the Blue Mountains.
They were embellished by floodlights at night that contrasted eerily nicely with the night sky.
The peaks are three sisters allegedly enchanted by a tribal elder who turned them into stone to shield them from three brothers from another tribe, according to an Aboriginal tale.
Echo Point offers one of the best views of the Three Sisters. It also marks the starting point for several walking tracks descending into the valley.
The Giant Stairway, a trail of more than 800 steps, leads to the base of these stunning peaks.
One of the most romantic things to do in the Blue Mountains is to visit Echo Point during sunset and watch as the warm hues of the setting sun paint a breathtaking canvas over the Three Sisters rock formation.
Scenic World Blue Mountains
Some of the most popular activities in Blue Mountains National Park are provided by Scenic World. It’s an excellent way to take in stunning topography.
There are four options to choose from here: Take a spin on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, and descend into an ancient rainforest through a tunnel cut into a cliff.
Take the glass-floored Scenic Skyway to ascend through the forest canopy or the Scenic Cableway to dive into the Jamison Valley.
One of the best things to do in Blue Mountain in the winter is to take a captivating stroll along the Scenic Walkway at the valley floor.
The 2.4-km walkway on a raised boardwalk through the Jurassic rainforest with lively birdlife creates for a truly enchanting experience.
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Your journey will begin at Scenic World Top Station on a cliff edge looking over the Jamison Valley.
Here, you can buy your tickets, eat a meal, shop for gifts, and catch sight of the spectacular view that will be yours as you descend into the valley.
Hike to Wentworth Falls
Hiking is one of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains in winter.
One of the Blue Mountains’ most marvelous waterfalls, Wentworth Falls, gushes over three layers of rock ridges.
Jamison Watercourse cascades down a creek into the Valley of the Waters after plunging 297 m over the upper and lower falls at the rim of the cliff.
You can observe the falls from several lookouts along the area’s many hiking paths which range from casual strolls to strenuous cliff-ledge trails.
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The falls are also reachable via the National Pass walking route.
But because they are a seasonal attraction, it is recommended to verify the weather in the area first.
You can stop by the Conservation Hut, a resource center, restaurant, and starting point for several well-known walking trails, in the adjacent town of Wentworth Falls.
Don’t miss out on exploring other breathtaking opportunities for hiking Blue Mountains Australia, including Govetts Leap Falls, Valley of the Waters, Prince Henry Clifftop Walk and Sassafras Gully Loop.
Voyage the Blue Mountains discovery trail
Do you prefer to explore while driving in comfort? Discover the Blue Mountains Trail.
This 36 km driving route, part of the 1,200 km Greater Blue Slopes Drive, leaves from Katoomba and travels to Wentworth Falls through valleys and mountains covered with eucalyptus bushes.
You’ll also pass by several of the park’s most famous sights, such as Echo Point and the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Scenic World, Sublime Point, and the lovely Wentworth Falls Lake.
| Additionally, you can fit in a few quick strolls. Book the “private scenic tour with optional stops” for a personalized guided experience in nature. |
Visit Katoomba.
Katoomba is the central town in the Blue Mountains and a significant tourist destination.
Katoomba and the smaller surrounding towns of Wentworth and Leura rapidly transformed from a coal-mining town into a popular vacation destination in the latter half of the 19th century.
Katoomba is a fantastic starting point for a trip to the Blue Mountains because of all the things to do there.
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Scenic World, The Three Sisters, Echo Point, The Giant Stairway, and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk are just a few of the tourist attractions that you may find in the Blue Mountains.
It is conveniently located in the Blue Mountains National Park, and the town is teeming with shops, galleries, antique shops, cafés, used bookstores, and top-notch dining establishments.
Visit the Blue Mountains Visitor Information Center for additional details on what to see and do in Katoomba.
A map of the Blue Mountains’ attractions is also available here.
One of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains when it’s raining is to visit the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre if you have time to visit other Katoomba attractions.
One of Australia’s premier regional art galleries, the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery, is in the center.
The World Heritage Exhibition is also present, featuring exhibits on this distinctive ecosystem that is classified as a World Heritage site.
The lookouts also provide stunning vistas of the surrounding environment. You’re in luck if waterfalls are your thing.
The Katoomba Falls, which bear the town’s name, is a worthwhile sight, particularly when flowing vigorously.
Follow the two-kilometer Katoomba Falls Round Walk, a circular trail that begins at Scenic World, to see them.
You can take stunning pictures of the multi-tiered cascades pouring over protruding sandstone lips along the way.
Do you want to leave the car at home? Train travel to Katoomba from Sydney is also simple. More information can be found on the How to Reach page.
Discover Jenolan Caves
Another one of top things to do in the Blue Mountains is visit the limestone caves protected within the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
Some of the oldest caverns in the world can be found in Jenolan Caves, which are situated on the western side of the Blue Mountains.
You can explore any of the ten caves, which feature breathtaking limestone formations, underground rivers, and fossilized relics.
You can also take in musical performances in the Lucas Cave’s Cathedral Chamber, which is said to have the greatest acoustics of any performance place on earth.
The experiences range from thrilling cave exploration to eerie nighttime excursions and leisurely boardwalk strolls.
Make sure you reserve early. Younger parents may prefer to choose the self-guided tour because the tours can be very long.
| Book the Jenolan Caves full-day tour from Sydney to enjoy an excursion into the past. |
Try abseiling down the Blue Mountains cliff
Do you need a surge of adrenaline? Your heart will surely race as you rappel down sheer granite cliffs over deep valleys.
And it so happens that one of the main activities for adventurers in Blue Mountains National Park is rappelling.
Rappelling, often known as abseiling, is a sport that involves using a fixed rope to descend a rock face.
An organized trip is one of the best ways to try the sport for the first time.
| You can attempt this sport while being guided by an experienced guide on the Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park. |
You will rappel down a set of cliffs with a 30-meter drop. You also have the option of canyoning included in the same tour.
Explore the Glow Worm Tunnel
Are you looking for unique activities in the Blue Mountains? Imagine discovering thousands of sparkling blue worms tucked deep under a former rail tunnel.
| Book your Glow Worm adventure on a night tour to experience this unique phenomenon in the Blue Mountains. |
It is an adventure just getting here. It is located in Wollemi National Park, some 40 km from Lithgow, and is accessible from the Newnes Plateau.
It includes taking a 45-minute drive down an unpaved road broken up by stunning rock formations, then using a flashlight to guide you through the pitch-black tunnel.
As soon as you’ve gone far inside, switch out your light, keep as still as you can, and wait.
You’ll soon find yourself encircled by a stunning display of blue lights flashing in the doomy darkness.
Do you ever wonder why the worms glow blue? The color is the consequence of a chemical reaction occurring in the larvae’s bodies, and it also serves as a useful lure for attracting prey.
Tip: This Blue Mountains excursion is best taken when the weather has been dry because of the gravel road.
Heavy rainfall makes the route difficult, rutted, and frequently impassable with a 2WD vehicle.
A 4WD vehicle is advised at all times. Book a 4WD adventure tour with a local guide for a hassle-free excursion.
Featured Image: Nationalgeographic.com