New South Wales · Australia

Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Sandstone plateau cut by forested valleys about a 2-hour train ride from Sydney, with the Three Sisters, the Scenic World trains and cableways, lookouts, waterfalls and the Jenolan caves.

New South Wales and Canberra (Sydney)

In the photo: Three Sisters, Blue Mountains

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Blue Mountains are a sandstone plateau west of Sydney, cut by deep valleys covered in eucalyptus forest. The name comes from the bluish mist that often hangs over the valleys, attributed to oil droplets from eucalyptus leaves. The region is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, and is the land of the Gundungurra and the Darug peoples.

Katoomba, the largest town on the plateau, sits on the edge of the Jamison Valley. From the Echo Point lookout you can see the Three Sisters, three rock pillars, and next to it Scenic World brings together a steep former mine train, cableways and a boardwalk through the forest on the valley floor.

Leura, Katoomba’s neighbor, has a main street of cafés and shops, gardens and trails to waterfalls and lookouts. Further north, Blackheath is the gateway to the Grose Valley, with the Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout viewpoints and trails that descend to the rainforest in the canyons.

The train line from Sydney Central station stops at all the towns on the plateau, making it possible to visit the region without a car. By road to the west are the Jenolan Caves, one of the oldest known cave systems.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains) is

Boundaries: Australian Bureau of Statistics / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

✈ Aeroporto de Sydney (SYD), in Sydney · 110 km to Katoomba

By train on the Blue Mountains line from Sydney Central station, about 2 hours to Katoomba. By car, roughly 110 km via the Great Western Highway. The nearest airport is Sydney.

Suggested arrival point: Katoomba

Nova Gales do Sul · Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains) Suggested arrival point

Katoomba

Largest town in the Blue Mountains, Katoomba sits on the edge of the Jamison Valley, about a 2-hour train ride from Sydney. From the Echo Point lookout you can see the Three Sisters and the valley covered in eucalyptus. A few minutes away, Scenic World has the incline railway of an old mine, cableways and a forest walkway. The town preserves early-20th-century houses and cinemas and is the base for the Jenolan caves.

Nova Gales do Sul · Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Leura

Neighboring town to Katoomba, one train stop away, Leura is known for its main street, Leura Mall, with cafés and shops, and for the gardens of its old houses. Trails descend to Leura Cascades and follow the Jamison Valley rim to Echo Point. South of town, the Sublime Point lookout opens onto the valley, and the Everglades gardens display 1930s landscape design.

Nova Gales do Sul · Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Blackheath

Town on the high plateau about 10 km north of Katoomba, Blackheath is the gateway to the Grose Valley. About 2.4 km from the center is the Govetts Leap lookout, overlooking Bridal Veil waterfall and the valley’s sandstone cliffs. The Grand Canyon trail descends from Evans Lookout to the rainforest of a narrow canyon. The town has cafés, bakeries and accommodations that are quieter than Katoomba’s.

The local experience

Things to do in Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Leura · New South Wales · Waterfall

Leura Cascades

A series of small drops of Leura Creek among ferns and temperate rainforest, with a picnic area and the start of valley rim walks.

Blackheath · New South Wales · Viewpoint

Govetts Leap Lookout

Lookout about 2.4 km from Blackheath overlooking the Grose Valley, with a view of Bridal Veil waterfall, which drops about 180 meters down the sandstone cliff.

Katoomba · New South Wales · Viewpoint

Three Sisters

Three sandstone towers above the Jamison Valley, at 906–922 metres elevation, seen from the Echo Point lookout in Katoomba; a stairway of 998 steps descends the slope.

Leura · New South Wales · Viewpoint

Sublime Point Lookout

Lookout south of Leura, on the tip of a promontory, with wide views over the Jamison Valley, Mount Solitary and sandstone escarpments.

See 4 more places in Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Katoomba · New South Wales · Stroll

Scenic World

Complex on the edge of the Jamison Valley in Katoomba, featuring the incline railway of an old mine — up to 52 degrees — two cableways and a 2.4 km walkway through the valley rainforest.

Blackheath · New South Wales · Trail

Grand Canyon Track

A roughly 6.3 km circuit near Blackheath that descends into a narrow, damp canyon with ferns, waterfalls and creek crossings, then climbs to Evans Lookout overlooking the Grose Valley.

Katoomba · New South Wales · Cave

Jenolan Caves

Limestone cave system about 340 million years old west of the Blue Mountains, with eleven lit caves open to visitors, the Grand Arch and Blue Lake.

Leura · New South Wales · Garden

Everglades House and Gardens

1930s house and gardens in Leura, with five hectares of terraces, lawns and woodlands created by landscaper Paul Sorensen, open to visitors by the National Trust.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

All year round. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) usually have mild days for walking. Summers are hot in the valleys and there may be restrictions due to fire risk; in winter (June to August) the plateau is cold and can receive light snow at times.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day as a day trip from Sydney lets you see the Three Sisters, Scenic World and Leura. Two to three days allow time for the Blackheath and Grose Valley trails and the Jenolan Caves.

Which city to stay in

Katoomba has most of the accommodations, close to the station and Echo Point. Leura offers guesthouses and old homes near the main street and gardens. Blackheath is quieter and close to the Grose Valley trails.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

Can you visit the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney?

Yes. The train departs Central station and takes about 2 hours to Katoomba. In one day you can see the Three Sisters, Scenic World and Leura.

Do you need a car in the Blue Mountains?

Not for Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath, which are connected by train and tourist buses. A car helps for more distant lookouts and for the Jenolan Caves. In Australia you drive on the left.

Why are they called the Blue Mountains?

Because of the bluish haze that often covers the valleys, attributed to oil droplets released by eucalyptus leaves.

How many days should I stay in the Blue Mountains?

One day for the essentials; two or three days to do trails in Blackheath and visit the Jenolan Caves.

Is it cold in the Blue Mountains?

The plateau is cooler than Sydney year-round. In winter (June to August) nights are cold and light snow can occur; bring warm clothing in any season.

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Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains)

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip