While visiting Sydney, Australia, your trip is never complete without a visit to the Blue Mountains. If you are a Sydneysider, chances are that you think the Blue Mountains are all about the Three Sisters and Scenic World but, we beg to differ and are here to tell you that this spectacular place has a lot to offer. Check out our top recommendations of things to do and see in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains home to some of Australia’s most magnificent natural attractions, sensational landscapes and picturesque waterfalls lies just west of the city & is easily accessible by train or car/tour. It is one of the most popular and iconic day trips from Sydney, but if you have the time, there are plenty of experiences to tick off in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Highlights
Three Sisters, Echo Point Lookout
Scenic World
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Street Art Walk
Jenolan Caves
Leura Town and Leura Cascades
Sublime Point Lookout
Wentworth Falls
Lincoln Rock
Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook
Faulconbridge
Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café, Blackheath
Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath
Pulpit Rock Lookout, Blackheath
Hanging Rock, Blackheath
Breenhold Gardens, Mount Wilson
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tours
Three Sisters, Echo Point Lookout
When you picture the Blue Mountains, Three Sisters rock formation set against a backdrop of picture-perfect views across the valley is the first thing that comes to mind.
The Aboriginal legend behind the landmark is that the unusual rock formation represents three beautiful sisters who were turned to stone by a witch doctor to protect them from three young men and died before he could reverse the spell, leaving the sisters trapped eternally.
At 3,000 feet above sea level, the sisters stand tall surrounded by the blue hues of the majestic mountains and the valley that expands miles on end. Depending on your fitness level, you can also hike to the Three Sisters from Echo Point taking the Three Sisters Track and walking down the Giant Stairway until you reach the famous rocks.
The lookout is one of the must-visit attractions in the Blue Mountains. Not visiting the Three Sisters when visiting the Blue Mountains would be like not seeing the Taj Mahal on a trip to India.
Scenic World
Just like Three Sisters, Scenic World is synonymous with the Blue Mountains, located just a stone’s throw away from Echo Point and the town centre.
Conquer your fear of heights and experience a 52° incline while riding the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway or glide between clifftops and see the sights from above and across the stunning World Heritage-listed area.
Immerse yourself exploring a rainforest along the Scenic Walkway and complete the adventure by riding past cliffs descending into the ancient Jamison Valley in the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.
These, along with one of New South Wales’ largest souvenir shops and a cafeteria, make up the Scenic World complex.
NOTE: Scenic World offers free undercover parking their multi-storey car park on-site including Tesla Connector charging points for electric vehicles.
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls is one of the most popular yet small but beautiful waterfalls near Echo Point. It is easily accessible from the main road and involves a short hike to get there. The walk starts at Scenic World.
The one-kilometre loop takes you through a temperate rainforest with fantastic lookouts. If hiking is not your thing, then begin at Katoomba Falls Kiosk which is less than 500m to view the falls. Katoomba Falls although a permanent waterfall, It is best to visit is after a decent rain.
Travel Tip: Ideal time to visit – late autumn, winter or early spring.
Katoomba Street Art Walk
While the main drawcard in Katoomba is, of course, the Three Sisters. If you are looking for an exciting and varied selection of attractions in town. The Katoomba Street Art Walk would be one to put on your list, which is a feast for the eyes of a different kind.
A laneway of this town is transformed from a gloomy alley, into a colourful passageway for tourists. Many of the Street Art Walk’s supporters are local community members and business owners. Consequently, the Street Art Walk is an authentic community-driven cultural treasure of the Blue Mountains.
The Street Art Walk is open 24 hours & is located in Beverly Place off Waratah Street, Katoomba.
Jenolan Caves
When you hear about the Blue Mountains, it is typical to envision cliffs and waterfalls but did you know there is an underground wonderland hidden within? We are not talking about the quintessential tourist cave that you ideally visit. The cave systems here span a staggering 40 km of multi-level passage. It is the oldest discovered open caves in the world and the complex one. It is still undergoing active exploration.
When you step inside these caves, you enter a different ecosystem alien to the outside world. The labyrinth of stalactite-lined limestone chasms is carved out by underground rivers. There are many guided tours to choose from. If you are staying in the Blue Mountains for a night, we recommend after-hour ghost tour for some thrilling goosebumps moments. With more than 22 major caves, the most famous ones are the easily accessible Imperial Cave, the beautiful Orient Cave, the temple of Baal and Lucas Cave.
Leura Town and Leura Cascades
Leura often referred to as “Jewel in the Mountains Crown” is a picturesque & popular Blue Mountains town. The highlight of this town is each year, a selection of Leura’s private gardens are open to the general public for a week. The festival celebrates cool climate gardens and gardening.
Leura has a way of enticing locals and visitors with its bustling restaurants, cafés and shops on its high street. Explore one of the world’s largest private collection of tea wares at Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum. If toys excite you, visit the exhaustive collection of 20th-century train sets and toys in the entire Southern Hemisphere at Leuralla.
Drop by at Sublime Point lookout. Easily accessible from Sublime Point Road car park for sensational & infinite scenic views of the Jamison Valley below.
Leura Cascades is an ideal spot for a picnic and also for chasing waterfalls. Leura Cascade’s highlight is the beautiful waterfall surrounded by prominent views and relaxing sounds of birdlife.
Sublime Point Lookout
With sensational & infinite scenic views at Sublime Point lookout, you will feel like you are on the edge of the world. It offers a spectacular 180-degree view of the Jamison Valley below, Kings Tablelands to the east, Mount Solitary in the middle and to the far west in the distance. You can appreciate a different perspective of the Three Sisters.
While the Sublime Point Lookout doesn’t attract the crowds of many other Blue Mountains lookouts, it still has much to offer.
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls is an impressive waterfall cascading nearly 200 metres to the valley floor. It reminds us of Russian nesting dolls as Wentworth Falls is also the name of the town with its most famous attraction being the beautiful waterfall.
You may have high expectation seeing all those jaw-dropping photos, but as with any waterfall, the amount of rain affects its grandeur. Do check out the latest images online if you decide to stop over when you are travelling in one of the dry months. It is however spectacularly photogenic after rain.
The walk starts at Wentworth Falls picnic area where there is ample car park. Take an easy walk to the top of the waterfall, which is an approximately 6-minute walk. If you are taking public transport then its 2.5 km from the train station. The best views of the water plunging down the cliff are from Princes Rock and Fletcher’s lookouts.
Lincoln Rock
Lincoln Rock, in short, is a huge flat rock with an insane view and a dramatic 300m drop with no fence. It is one of the most incredible lookouts in the Blue Mountains offering you unparallel views of Jamison Valley. If you stay long enough, you can see the valley change colours as the sun and clouds move overhead.
It also provides a unique photo opportunity, sitting on the edge of a cliff, which makes it appear as though you’re sitting on the very edge, but there is a safe ledge just below that would stop you from falling very far (we highly recommend not to try this). It is a part of Kings Tableland, The oldest Aboriginal site only a few minutes away.
Entry to Lincoln Rock is free and is easily accessible with no strenuous walk involved. You can literally park a couple of metres away from the viewpoint.
Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook
Lennox Bridge on Mitchells Pass is a heritage-listed road bridge and early engineering masterpiece. Also known as “The Horseshoe Bridge”, it is the oldest surviving stone arched bridge on the Australian mainland. The horseshoe shape design gives optimal strength to the structure. David Lennox carried out the construction of the bridge using unskilled convict labour, which took one year to complete.
Lots of photo opportunities and zero crowds are what make this bridge well worth a visit. Work your way along the stairs to the bottom and walk under the bridge to the north side. Capture the best frame and composition of the rainforest-like landscape in the front and through the bridge’s arch.
Faulconbridge
This town may seem like any other quiet mountain villages that you see on your way to the prominent tourist attractions of the Blue Mountains, but has its reasons to demand traveller’s attention.
It hosts the home of one of Australia’s most loved and controversial artists, Norman Lindsay, which is now the Norman Lindsay Gallery. It is now open to the public and offers an intriguing exhibition of his drawings and paintings along with impressive statues in the garden. While you are here, you can also check out the Prime Minister’s Corridor of Oaks with trees for every Australian Prime Minister. A pleasant and unusual celebration.
Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café, Blackheath
We are guilty ourselves to have missed visiting the beautiful village of Blackheath every time we visit the Blue Mountains. If you love dramatically beautiful locations and all things antique, this is the place to be. The Blue Mountains are full of antique stores, but the Victory Theatre Antique Centre is the best we have seen. It also claims to be the largest antique centre west of Sydney.
The Victory Theatre Antique Centre has 50 dealers spread across two floors with wares ranging from jewellery, books, vintage clothing, furniture, paintings, dolls, ornaments, art, fine china and more. Even with such a great variety of stocks, there is something new every time you visit. Included in the centre is Blackheath Jewellery, do make sure that you check out their beautiful work.
The centre is also home to popular victory Café. It is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 8 AM – 4 PM.
Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath
Govetts Leap is one of the most spectacular lookouts in the Blue Mountains offering mind-boggling panoramic views of the Grose Valley. Second only to Echo Point in tourist popularity but is in no way less incredible. The lookout is also famous as a perfect spot to watch the sunrise in the Blue Mountains.
Located at the end of Govetts Leap Road in Blackheath, you can drive right up to the lookout and soak it all in. Stop by and witness the vastness of the mountains, they certainly seem to go forever. Take a deep breath of the fresh mountain air and listen to the sounds of nature.
Travel Tip: Remember to take your binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching.
Pulpit Rock Lookout, Blackheath
Pulpit Rock is one of those lookouts that had us at a loss for words. The expansive panoramic views of the vast gorges and magnificent Grose Valley is absolutely breathtaking. Three levels of this lookout offer great photo opportunities to capture perfect Instagram worthy shots.
All three levels are fenced for safety, but you may find this a little challenging if you are afraid of heights. If you make it until the final step, you are rewarded with some spectacular views. This lookout is perfect to avoid the crowds as it is not as busy as the other viewpoints.
The lookout is just 5 minutes or roughly 400m from the nearest car park. There is no designated car park, you can park where the lookout entrance begins.
Hanging Rock, Blackheath
The Blue Mountains are filled with trails and lookouts galore, but this unusual rock in the middle of the valley must easily be the most Instagram-able rock in the Blue Mountains. Hanging Rock is about seven kilometres from Blackheath and is a breathtaking view that overlooks the Grose Valley wilderness.
Getting there requires a bit of off-road driving and hiking. The walk to rock is one of the most well-known treks and is accessed via the Burramoko Ride trail. The trail itself is mostly flat with no major inclines, but do remember to keep to your left at all times. A lot of people do this trek on a mountain bike as well.
If you are planning to make your way over to the edge of the Hanging Rock, we would not recommend it as there is over 2 feet gap in the cliff to jump over. One misstep can send you plummeting by 20 meters. Instagram ‘likes’ do not define your life guys, enjoy the stunning scenery and avoid unnecessary adventures.
Breenhold Gardens, Mount Wilson
A heritage-listed property spread across 45 hectares of gardens, parklands and native bushland is one of the most extensive privately owned garden properties in Australia. Breenhold Garden is one of those Instagram worthy places in the Blue Mountains. To be honest, the beautiful posts by influencers brought us here.
Best time to visit would be during Autumn as it transforms into a wonderland of red, orange and greens amidst diverse walled gardens. The many lookouts within the property offer spectacular views across the Blue Mountains. The rich volcanic basalt soil typical of Mount Wilson benefits Breenhold to be the magnificent garden of grand proportions it is.
Did you know: Mount Wilson is a regular film set for many Hollywood movies including The Great Gatsby, many of the driving scenes in the flick were shot in Breenhold and on the roads around Mt Wilson.
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is a spectacular cool climate and the only botanic garden in the world located in a World Heritage Area. It is just under 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney & features a world-class collection of plants from the cooler parts of the southern hemisphere and around the world.
The garden features more than 6,000 species spread across 28 hectares of land. For those who want to learn more about horticulture and have a more profound experience, Tours and speciality walks are available.
Sitting 1,000 metres above sea level, the Garden at Mount Tomah overlooks the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area & the panoramic views are quite spectacular from this elevation.
Open 7 days a week & although parking and entry are free, without doubt, this garden is world-class by any standards and a visit will be well rewarded.
Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tours
Dive into a fascinating world of bio-luminescent light show that resembles twinkling stars in a night sky. Probably the best way to end your trip to the Blue Mountains. Explore the vast labyrinth of canyons and caves hidden below the soaring cliffs.
These dark and moist environments play perfect host to thousands of bioluminescent Glow Worms. If you make this trip in December, you will be in for a surprise by these enchanting guests – fireflies. When viewed together, you can truly appreciate the magic and experience the spectacle of mother nature.
Very good post. Highly informative for travellers who want to visit the Blue Mountains and indulge in adventure activities. Keep up the good work.