Your Guide To The Blue Mountains

I’ve explored much of Australia’s East Coast, but nowhere has captured my heart like the Blue Mountains. This vast area of natural beauty has a serenity that never fails to impress me, no matter how many times I visit! 

After living in the Sydney area for the last 6 years, I’ve visited the Blue Mountains at least 10 times and I always want to go back. It’s my favorite destination for a day trip or weekend getaway from the city, and it’s absolutely stunning year-round. I truly believe the Blue Mountains have something for everyone, whether you want an adventure full of camping and hiking or a relaxing trip full of casual lookouts and cafes. 

Here is my ultimate guide to the Blue Mountains National Park, a must-see destination near Sydney!

Where are the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. It only takes roughly 2 hours to get from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, either by car or by train. The travel times may vary depending on where in Sydney you’re departing from, and where in the Blue Mountains you’re heading to. The entire Blue Mountains National Park is about 2,690 square kilometres, so it’s a huge area!

What's the best way to see the Blue Mountains?

If you’re hoping to visit the Blue Mountains, I would recommend either a guided tour or a self-drive adventure. Both offer great opportunities to explore these majestic mountains, and there are pros and cons to both. It just depends what type of experience you want!

Guided Tour From Sydney

• Pros: Local guide, organised itinerary, all transport included, group environment
• Cons: Less flexibility, only visit the touristy areas, usually only day trips available

Guided tours to the Blue Mountains are best for solo travellers, first-time travellers, or those who aren’t comfortable driving. With a guided day trip, everything is organised for you! You’ll be picked up at your accommodation in Sydney, transported to the Blue Mountains, and led to all the best places. 

Local guides will teach you about the area’s history, culture, flora, and fauna. You can meet other travellers in a social group environment. The itinerary is all planned out, so you don’t need to waste time deciding where to go and when. If you only have one day in the Blue Mountains, a tour will ensure you make the most of your time!

Self Drive

• Pros: More freedom, stay as long as you want, can visit non-touristy areas
• Cons: More work as you’ll have to hire a car, navigate, and plan your own itinerary

Driving yourself around the Blue Mountains is ideal for couples, families, and groups of friends who thrive on planning their own adventures. If you love getting off the beaten path and discovering hidden gems, you can easily do that in the Blue Mountains on your own without a tour. 

Travellers who don’t have a car will have to hire one in Sydney. But once you have a vehicle, you’re free to roam the mountains at your leisure. Most tours are only one day, so those who want to spend a few days in the Blue Mountains will need their own car or campervan. You can also venture beyond the usual tourist trail and experience a more secluded side of the Blue Mountains if you drive yourself. 

How many days do you need in the Blue Mountains?

A day trip to the Blue Mountains provides a great overview of the area, but I would recommend at least 2-3 days. You could easily spend a week in the Blue Mountains if you have time, as there is so much to see and do here. But for the average traveller, anywhere between 1 and 3 days is a solid amount of time. 

If you’re going to stay overnight, you can book accommodations in any of the major towns in the Blue Mountains. Katoomba and Blackheath are the biggest towns with the most options for hotels, and there is even a hostel in Katoomba for budget travellers. The Blue Mountains also has several campgrounds where you can camp if you have a tent or a campervan. 

What is the best time of year to go to the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains are absolutely stunning at any time of year, though the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn will have the best weather for outdoor adventures. This part of New South Wales has a temperate climate, so temperatures usually don’t get too hot or too cold. However, the Blue Mountains do get cooler than Sydney because they are at a higher elevation, so don’t expect the weather to be exactly the same as it is near the coast!

Summer

Summer is the most popular time to visit the Blue Mountains. The hot, sunny weather in Sydney urges travellers to escape the city and surround themselves with nature. 

If you’re visiting the Blue Mountains in summer, try to visit on a weekday so you can skip the weekend crowds. Popular places like the Three Sisters and Echo Point will be really crowded on weekends in summer, and parking spaces fill up quickly!

But the warm summer temperatures provide the best weather for swimming in waterfalls, camping under the stars, and having picnics in the shade. 

Spring / Autumn

Spring and autumn have temperatures that are usually warm but not hot, with refreshingly cool evenings and mornings. This provides amazing weather for hiking in the Blue Mountains.

You can also find lots of colourful wildflowers and leaves along the trails in the Blue Mountains in spring or autumn. Also, because sunrises are slightly later than in summer, it’s easier to get up early and drive to a panoramic lookout for sunrise. This is a magical experience to have in the Blue Mountains!

Winter

I actually love winter in the Blue Mountains! The temperatures can be chilly during the day, and they can even get down to freezing at night. The Blue Mountains is one of the few places around Sydney where you might occasionally see snow. But this adds a whole new layer of coziness to the Blue Mountains in my opinion. 

Winter in the Blue Mountains sees fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and refreshing hiking weather. Just pack some warm clothes, treat yourself to hearty food and hot coffees, and embrace that crisp winter mountain air!

Best Things To Do In The Blue Mountains

Now that we’ve covered all the basic info about visiting the Blue Mountains, here are some recommendations for things to do. This summary of the best Blue Mountains activities only scratches the surface, but there are my favorite hikes, waterfalls, lookouts, and towns that I recommend to other travellers in Sydney. 

Best Blue Mountains Hikes

Hiking is one of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains. The area is full of trails ranging from difficult treks to easy strolls. Here are my favorite Blue Mountains hikes! Most of them range from easy to moderate/hard, and all have beautiful views along the way. 

Prince Henry Cliff Walk

• Distance: 14km return
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

If you’re looking for an epic day hike that showcases some of the best lookouts and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, do the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. This winding, cliffside track connects Katoomba and Leura, passing famous spots like Echo Point, Three Sisters, Katoomba Cascades, and more. Spend the entire day walking the whole trail if you’re feeling ambitious, or just do small sections of the walk. 

Hanging Rock Trail

• Distance: 10km return
• Duration: 2.5-3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

This is one of the most amazing hikes I’ve ever done in my life! The Hanging Rock Trail (also called the Burramoko Ridge Trail) is a long, flat track that doesn’t have any views until the very end. But once you emerge from the forest onto the dramatic cliff edges, the views are out of this world. You can see the famous Hanging Rock, a giant slab of rock that is quite literally hanging off the mountains. Note that there are no safety measures or barriers at Hanging Rock, so only get near the cliff edge at your own risk. 

Grand Canyon Track

• Distance: 6.3km loop
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

While Hanging Rock is an average walk with an incredible ending, the Grand Canyon Track is the opposite. There are no crazy viewpoints on this walk, but the entire trail is a stunning adventure into the Blue Mountains rainforest. The Grand Canyon Track takes you down into the valley where you’re surrounded by tranquil streams, peaceful waterfalls, lush ferns, and abundant greenery. 

South Lawson Waterfall Circuit

• Distance: 2.5km loop
• Duration: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy

This is the perfect Blue Mountains hike for a rainy day. South Lawson Waterfall Circuit is a short and easy loop walk through the flourishing rainforest. You pass 4 beautiful waterfalls on the way, plus more smaller, unnamed waterfalls. The falls will be amazing in rainy weather, just be prepared for a slightly muddy track. Head to Cataract Falls after dark to see one of the Blue Mountains famous glow worm colonies!

Best Blue Mountains Waterfalls

The Blue Mountains is also known for its majestic waterfalls. There are so many amazing cascades in the area, but these are some of the most impressive. Most of the waterfalls in the Blue Mountains require a hike, especially if you want to reach the base of the falls. Those who don’t like long hikes can just do part of the trail and admire the views from above, you don’t have to hike all the way down into the valley (the trek back up can be steep)!

Katoomba Falls

Jutting out of the cliff edges, Katoomba Falls is a gorgeous waterfall with multiple tiers. The walking trail takes you to multiple viewing points where you can get photos. This waterfall is more impressive in periods of heavy rainfall!

Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls is a huge cascade that tumbles down the rugged cliffs of the Blue Mountains. You can hike a short but steep trail all the way to the bottom and hang out on the large rocks right at the base of the falls. 

Empress Falls

This majestic waterfall is large, but slightly tucked away in the rainforest. It's a popular spot for abseiling and canyoning, which you can do with a local guide. There is also a small jump rock where you can launch yourself into the pool at the base of Empress Falls (with caution, of course). 

Best Blue Mountains Lookouts

For some of the best views in the Blue Mountains, visit these lookouts! All of these stunning viewpoints are accessible with a car, which is a great alternative for those who don’t want to hike. 

These lookouts are also very easy to get to. You can just put the name of the lookout in Google Maps and it will take you straight there. Each lookout also has plenty of parking, and it’s only a short walk from the car park to the lookout. 

Three Sisters / Echo Point

Definitely the most famous lookout in the Blue Mountains, Echo Point Lookout gives you prime views of the Three Sisters. These iconic rock formations are often described in ancient Aboriginal stories about three sisters who lived in the Jamison Valley. Though the Three Sisters are extremely famous, they are not overrated. Definitely make the trip here to admire the views, but try to go early or late to escape the massive crowds. 

Govetts Leap Lookout

I think Govetts Leaps is a hidden gem in the Blue Mountains. It’s not nearly as touristy as Echo Point, but it’s absolutely stunning. Govetts Leap is just a 5-minute drive from downtown Blackheath and has a spacious viewing platform where you can see the sunrise over the rippling mountains. There are also some incredible hikes that start here!

Evans Lookout

Evans Lookout is really close to Govetts Leap Lookout and has similar views. If you’re short on time you could just pick one, but I would recommend doing the Clifftop Walking Track. This is another amazing hike that is relatively easy and it connects Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout. So you can enjoy a lovely hike and see both lookouts!

Mount Blackheath Lookout

This is the ultimate sunset spot in the Blue Mountains! Mount Blackheath Lookout showcases a different type of view, as you look out west past the mountains and into the surrounding rural valleys. The western facing viewpoint means you can watch the sun drop down over the landscape. 

Sublime Point Lookout

This is usually my first stop when I take friends to the Blue Mountains. Sublime Point Lookout is located near Leura, has plenty of parking, and has a short but scenic stroll that leads to the lookout. You get panoramic views of the Jamison Valley, and the scenery never disappoints. 

Best Blue Mountains Towns

If you’re hoping to absorb a bit of art, architecture, culture, and hospitality during your visit to the Blue Mountains, these are the main tourist towns. For those who want to stay overnight in a hostel or hotel, or if you just want a quick bite to eat, check out these Blue Mountains towns. Each town has its own train station, making it easy for those who are visiting via public transport.

Katoomba

Katoomba is the main tourist town in the Blue Mountains. It’s centrally located within a 15-minute drive of the most popular hikes, waterfalls, and lookouts. You can also find the biggest variety of amenities here including hotels, hostels, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It can get very crowded on weekends!

Blackheath

Whenever I visit the Blue Mountains, I personally love staying in Blackheath. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Katoomba but it has half the crowds. Situated on the western edge of the Grose Valley, there are some truly breathtaking views and uncrowded hikes around Blackheath. The adorable town center also has a few shops, restaurants, and cafes, plus some colorful street art. 

Leura

Located right near Katoomba, Leura is another smaller and quieter alternative to Katoomba. But it’s still quite touristy and has lots of amenities like museums, tea rooms, and vintage shops. Leura also has several picnic areas and gardens where you can relax surrounded by greenery.

Find more amazing things to do in Sydney, or combine your trip to the Blue Mountains with an epic East Coast Australia itinerary! Contact our staff if you have any questions.