The Blue Mountains: Tips for the Best Things to Do and See

Only an hour and a half’s drive from Sydney, you’ll find the Blue Mountains, a national park about twice the size of Gelderland province. In these lush mountains, you’ll discover eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, and canyons full of ferns. Cockatoos and colorful parrots fly around, and with a bit of luck, you might spot koalas, kangaroos, or the rare lyrebirds. The best way to explore the Blue Mountains is by taking one or more hikes. But even if you’re not up for hiking, there’s plenty to see from the various viewpoints. Below, we share our tips for the most beautiful places and activities in the Blue Mountains.

How Many Days Do You Need for the Blue Mountains?

If you’re a fan of nature, hiking, and wildlife, we recommend staying for at least two to three full days in the Blue Mountains. This gives you time to do various hikes, which is the best way to experience the natural beauty of the area. The towns of Katoomba and Blackheath are centrally located and are both great bases for exploring the Blue Mountains. If you want to see a lot, a rental car is handy, but if you don’t have one, you can also reach most places by bus.

Tip: If you don’t have a rental car, you can take the train from Sydney to Katoomba, which is the base for the Blue Mountains.

Short on Time? Try This Day Trip from Sydney

If you’re short on time, you can still get a good impression of the Blue Mountains with a day trip from Sydney. There are several tour providers for day trips. Most of them only visit a few viewpoints and often a zoo that has nothing to do with the Blue Mountains. If you really want to experience the Blue Mountains, the best way is by taking a scenic hike. We recommend this Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney, which not only visits the most beautiful viewpoint in the Blue Mountains but also includes a hike to the base of a waterfall.

The Most Beautiful Hikes in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains has a well-maintained network of walking trails. There are short walks of a few kilometers (miles) as well as longer hikes that will keep you busy for an entire day. We’ve searched for various types of hikes and found the following routes to be the most beautiful.

Grand Canyon Walking Track (6.3 kilometers / 3.9 miles)

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Blue Mountains is the Grand Canyon Walking Track. This 3 to 4-hour hike starts at Evans Lookout, where you get a glimpse of the vastness of the National Park. You then descend via many stairs into the canyon, entering a completely different world. Water drips from the rock walls into small streams, and the high humidity allows various types of mosses and ferns to dominate the landscape. The hike is characterized by numerous tree ferns that create a canopy overhead. These majestic ferns are easily recognizable by their impressive size and umbrella-like leaves. This is one of the more popular hikes in the Blue Mountains, so make sure to start early. That way, it’s still quiet, the birds are singing loudly, and you have the best chance of spotting animals like the lyrebird and swamp wallaby. You’ll cross narrow stairs, stepping stones, and bridges over babbling streams, discovering one of the most beautiful parts of the Blue Mountains. Eventually, you’ll climb out of the canyon on the other side. The trail is a loop, so you’ll end up back at the parking lot.

Check out the information map for the Grand Canyon Walking Track.

National Pass (4.5 kilometers / 2.8 miles)

Another famous hike in the Blue Mountains is the National Pass. This spectacular hike takes about 3 to 4 hours but can be a bit more intense due to the steep stairs and elevation changes. The trail begins at the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, where you walk towards the Wentworth Falls waterfall before descending into the valley via the photogenic Grand Stairway. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley and, in the end, reach the base of the waterfall. If the descent feels too difficult, you can stop at the Grand Stairway and return the same way. The trail winds along steep cliffs and through shady subtropical forests. Wear sturdy shoes, as the stairs can be slippery, especially in the rain.

Check out the information map for the National Pass.

Prince Henry Cliff Walk (7 kilometers / 4.3 miles)

If you love viewpoints and panoramic views while hiking, then this walk is perfect! You can start either in Katoomba or in Leura. You’ll walk from one village to the other along the impressive cliff. Along the way, you’ll pass numerous viewpoints with phenomenal views such as Echo Point, Lady Darley Lookout, and Gordon Falls Lookout. Another highlight is the impressive Leura Cascades waterfall. This is a point-to-point walk, meaning you’ll either need to walk back the same way or take a bus or taxi back to your starting point.

Check out the information map for the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit (4.5 kilometers / 2.8 miles)

If you’ve already completed the hikes above and still have some time, this is a great walk to consider. The trail starts at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area. First, check out the Leura Upper Creek, and then begin the walk along a beautiful path beside the river, leading to a stunning viewpoint. The trail takes you through peaceful streams and waterfalls, lush forests filled with tree ferns, and other subtropical plants. The path passes through the Fern Bower, an oasis of green nature, and occasionally offers views of the Bridal Veil Falls and Jamison Valley.

Check out the information map for the Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit.

Secret Tip: Along the way, you’ll pass the hidden Leura Infinity Pool, tucked between two rocks. To reach it, you’ll need to deviate slightly from the trail. Just past the waterfall, you’ll encounter a metal bridge (about at this location). Don’t take the path up; instead, take the path to the left of the bridge and head downhill. Then follow the low path along the river for a short distance. Cross the river only after descending a 2-meter drop using a rope. On the right, you’ll find the Leura Infinity Pool. Swimming is discouraged.

The Best Viewpoints in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains has many viewpoints, and we found these to be great places to start or end your day. Often, they are along the trail to a hike, and you can easily check them out. The viewpoints listed below are definitely worth a visit, but keep in mind that some may look quite similar to each other.

Hanging Rock

Many viewpoints can be reached by car, and they can get crowded, but at this lesser-known viewpoint, you’re likely to find few, if any, other visitors. That’s because it’s a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) hike from the start point. If you have a mountain bike, you can also bike this route. It’s a rather flat and uneventful road, but the view at the end is worth it. A massive orange rock hangs hundreds of meters above the mountains. If you’re brave enough, you can jump over the crevice and walk all the way to the tip of the Hanging Rock.

Echo Point Lookout (Three Sisters)

Echo Point is the most famous viewpoint in the Blue Mountains, and for good reason. From here, you get a view of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. You’ll quickly understand why it’s named this once you see the photo below. It’s worth walking down from Echo Point to the Three Sisters themselves for a closer look at the rocks. You’ll also encounter this viewpoint while hiking the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. For great photos, it’s worth coming here for sunrise.

Govetts Leap Lookout

Govetts Leap is also a popular viewpoint in the Blue Mountains. From here, you look out over Grose Valley and the Govetts Leap Falls, which dramatically cascade down the cliffs. Be sure to take the trail into the valley for a few minutes, as the cliffs rise impressively above you, giving you a better view of the waterfall. The location of this viewpoint is also great for sunrise.

Lincoln’s Rock

If you want to finish your hiking day off with a beautiful sunset, Lincoln’s Rock is the best place in the Blue Mountains for that. Be cautious when going here with kids, as the cliff edge is enormous and there are no fences.

Tips for Other Activities in the Blue Mountains

Besides hiking and visiting viewpoints, there are other great activities to do in the Blue Mountains.

Must-Do: Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

If you want to discover the Blue Mountains in an adventurous way, then the canyoning tour is a must-do. You start by abseiling small cliffs of about 5 meters and take a beautiful route through the jungle. After lunch, a hike leads you to the canyon, where you wade through a narrow gorge and make jumps into the pools. The ultimate highlight is abseiling down the 30-meter-high Empress Falls waterfall. You don’t need any experience for this tour, but you should be fit and have a good dose of courage.

Scenic Cableway & The Scenic Railway

If canyoning feels like too much but you still want to test your fear of heights, a visit to Scenic World might be more your thing. This park is all about experiencing the views of the Blue Mountains in a relaxed manner. You can take the steep Scenic Railway all the way up the mountain and then travel from one mountain to the other via the thrilling Scenic Cableway. Along the way, you’ll see a gigantic waterfall (see the photo below), and from here, you’ll likely get the best view of the Blue Mountains.

Blue Mountains Cliff Drive

This driving route is an alternative to the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Instead of walking along the cliffs, you drive the road above and stop at various viewpoints like Narrow Neck Lookout, Cahills Lookout, and Eagle Hawk Lookout. We prefer the walk, but if you’re short on time, this is a great way to get a feel for the area. Start the route at Narrow Neck Lookout and follow Cliff Drive toward Tallawalla Lookout. Be sure to watch for signs, as there are several viewpoints along the way.

Our Favourite Restaurants in the Blue Mountains

• Cedar Take Away – This is our favorite spot in Katoomba! In this tiny takeaway restaurant, you can order the best Middle Eastern dishes. Think kebab, falafel, and halloumi with tasty sauces and vegetables. The friendly owner is always up for a chat.
• Station Bar – Enjoy a beer and delicious pizzas baked in a stone oven at this bar. There’s often live music in the evening.
• 8Things – The menu at this restaurant features 8 different street food dishes from 8 different countries. Whether you’re in the mood for Indian, Indonesian, Mexican, Korean, or American, they’ve got it all covered.
• Basil Nut Cafe and Restaurant – This Thai restaurant is one of Katoomba’s most popular spots. The menu is extensive, offering meat, fish, and vegetarian options.
• Pomegranate – For a hearty breakfast or lunch, Pomegranate is the place to be.
• Bang Bowls – Get your daily dose of vitamins at Bang Bowls, where they serve both smoothie bowls and savory bowls.

Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains?

The most popular base for exploring the Blue Mountains is the town of Katoomba. From here, you can easily visit the sights by car or bus. Katoomba has a small town center with some restaurants, bars, and a large supermarket. Another good base for the Blue Mountains is Blackheath, a town 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) further. It’s a bit smaller but also very central for various sights and hikes. If you’re traveling without a rental car, we recommend staying in Katoomba as it has more amenities. Below are our recommendations for great places to stay in the Blue Mountains. The first two are in Katoomba, and the third is in Blackheath.

The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains

In the center of Katoomba, you’ll find the cozy YHA Blue Mountains Katoomba. Not only is the location great, but the communal spaces, large kitchen, and spacious garden make this a great place to stay. You can play a game of foosball, pool, or chess in the garden. Plus, the delicious breakfast in the morning is a big plus. Another great accommodation in Katoomba is the small No14 Lovel St. This cute house is painted bright yellow and is equally cozy inside. It has a homely vibe, and it’s easy to meet other travelers. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the center. If you have a bigger budget and want something more luxurious, we recommend staying at the beautiful Kyah. This is perhaps the most stylish hotel in the Blue Mountains! Recently renovated, every detail has been carefully considered. Plus, there are luxury extras like a hot tub and sauna, free e-bikes to borrow, and tennis and basketball courts.

YHA Blue Mountains Katoomba More Info

No14 Lovel St More Info

Kyah More Info