The Blue Mountains are less than two hours' drive from Sydney. Classified as a World Heritage UNESCO, since 2000, they have been the most accessible wilderness area. The Blue Mountains National Park is ideal for a day trip or, preferably, a longer break. Personally, I always prefer to stay more than a day rather than rush around like crazy and drive several hours.
The scenery of the Blue Mountains is breathtaking and the region is usually in the top 10 of the best places to visit in Australia. It's an extensive natural area where magnificent valleys, covered in rainforest, reveal incredible waterfalls. Breathtaking views stretch across the misty blue horizon.
The area has endless kilometres of trails for hikers and mountain bikers, and is also a popular place for lovers of adrenaline sports such as climbing and abseiling. There are also picturesque historic villages to see, but it was the abundance of nature that had me salivating for more when I visited the Blue Mountains.
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How to visit the Blue Mountains? It's a frequent question for those who are in Australia or are going to visit Sydney. When including the Blue Mountains in your travel itinerary in Australia, you'll need to know the best way to get there, the best time of year to do it, what there is to see in the region and some useful tips.
You'll find the answers to all this in this article. And also information on viewpoints to better appreciate the landscape that is one of the best in Australia.
Why are the mountains blue?
The Blue Mountains are home to 400 different species of animal, 40 of them rare or threatened, spread over 11,000 square kilometres.
The mountains are not really mountains, but a valley formed over 50 million years ago. Over the millennia, the erosion of the sandstone in this national park has transformed canyons and steep cliffs, creating places like the Three Sisters.
But in answer to the question: why are these mountains near Sydney called the Blue Mountains??
The mountains get their bluish appearance from eucalyptus oil which, when released into the atmosphere, emits a bluish colour. This is the simplest explanation, but it is believed that the colouring is caused by the Mie Theory, which occurs when light of shorter wavelengths is scattered by particles within the atmosphere, creating a blue-grey colour.
Regardless of the reason, the Blue Mountains National Park (or Blue Mountains National Park) is a must-see on a trip Down Under. It is, in fact, the most visited park in New South Wales.
What to see in the Blue Mountains
Well, part of the answer is obvious: mountains and valleys. There is, however, more to see in this nature park on the "outskirts" of Sydney - from the main city, Katoomba, to the panoramic view of Echo Point, to fantastic waterfalls (Wentworth Falls), there's plenty to explore. Of course, it will depend on how much time you have available.
These ideas assume that you won't be staying long in the region and want to capture the main images of the national park.
Wentworth Falls
There are countless waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, but of course I didn't have time to see them all. The one that I did see and is the easiest to access is called Wentworth Falls. There is a trail called Darwin's Walk which starts at Wentworth Falls station and ends at the falls.
It takes just under two hours to walk and is an easy hike. The best thing is to get to the base of the waterfalls, stay there and enjoy the scenery and watch the water fall.
Viewpoints
With sensational views over the deep valleys and undulating peaks formed over millions of years, the viewpoints in the Blue Mountains are spectacular. Some of them are easy to reach, while others require hiking along winding trails.
Princes Rock Lookout is one of the best viewpoints in the Blue Mountains. The most popular is Echo Point, overlooking the immense Jamison Valley and the famous Three Sisters (see below), while Wentworth Falls Lookout has a magnificent view over the falls. A less popular viewpoint is Eagle Hawk.
Echo Point is the most popular and easily accessible viewpoint, but there are dozens of other viewpoints. Blackheath was one of the points I really liked, as the view is expansive, as is Govetts Leap, overlooking the Grose Valley. At Blackheath, the light is best at sunrise.
See at the end for a useful app to locate all the viewpoints. There are various walks available and, in the website of the national park, you can find information about each one.
Important note: At the Heritage Centre in Blackheath, you'll find maps, information, local history and art exhibitions. It's also important (for your own safety) to leave your contact details there, in case you decide to go on a long hike and, through some misfortune, need help from the staff. rangers of the park.
Three Sisters
Three Sisters is the most famous point in the Blue Mountains National Park. These three weathered sandstone peaks were probably formed thousands of years ago and are situated between the cliffs of the Jamison Valley.
The Three Sisters, the iconic group of sandstone rocks in Echo Point, are just a short car journey or even a short walk from the railway station of Katoomba. There are two viewpoints at Echo Point to see the Three Sisters, the lower one is usually less crowded.
Hundreds of visitors disembark from Sydney every day. Regardless of the time of day, the Three Sisters are always resplendent, but the sunset here is very beautiful. I therefore recommend that you hire a car and stay overnight in Katoomba (see my recommendations at the end of the article).
If you like street art, take a trip to Beverley Place, in Katoomba, to take a look at this street with its many colourful murals. To get a better view of the Three Sisters, try going to the area called Honeymoon Bridge and photograph the rock formation from some unusual angles.
Scenic World - vertigo challenge
Visitors who prefer a less active way of enjoying the Blue Mountains National Park can head to some of the park's various platforms or, alternatively, climb aboard the carriages of the Katoomba Scenic Railway. Once on board, if you dare, look down.
Almost everyone who visits the Blue Mountains National Park experiences Scenic World. The Scenic World complex offers three different experiences:
The Scenic Railway
It uses the railway built to transport coal from the Katoomba mine from the bottom of the valley and has an almost vertical slope.
The Scenic Cableway
The cable car descends more than 500 metres to the bottom of the Jamison Valley. When you reach the base of the valley, you can walk a few kilometres through the rainforest.
The Scenic Skyway
A skyway travels almost 800 metres through the Jamison Valley, offering incredible views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. A word of warning: the floor is made of glass, which is great for seeing the landscape in a different way, but for those with vertigo it can mean seeing the ground slip out from under your feet...
Koala Sanctuary
On your way to the Blue Mountains, stop briefly at the Sydney Koala Park Sanctuary, in the West Pennant Hills area. I don't usually visit zoos or parks of this kind.
However, when I travelled to Australia it was impossible to leave without seeing a koala up close. So I chose to visit this sanctuary where the animals are well cared for and have natural space to move around.
In New South Wales, it is (fortunately) forbidden to hold a koala, but here you can at least get close to one of these adorable animals. I recommend visiting the sanctuary before 10am, as there are fewer people and this is when the animals are most active. The park is open daily between 9am and 4pm and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Extra information
Additional tip
There are some apps that are very useful for exploring the Blue Mountains. One of them is Ask Ros, which is a basic app developed by a local and has information on attractions, weather, ideas for itineraries and viewpoints.
The other was developed by the organisation responsible for New South Wales parks (NSW National Parks and Wildlife) and was the one I used. It has maps and trails that can be accessed even when there is no internet connection.
Visiting the Blue Mountains is an invitation to enjoy nature, but also to practise activities such as cycling or horse riding.
Prepare a light meal, as the mountains have numerous areas where you can picnic. Please don't forget to take out the rubbish at the end.
How many days in the Blue Mountains?
Many people choose to take a single day trip from Sydney. If you do this, it will be a very tiring day, but it's perfectly possible to go to the Blue Mountains in one day, take some photos, look at one or other viewpoint and return to Sydney.
I recommend at least two days in the Blue Mountains, because I think the region has so many activities and exceptional nature that it's almost a sin to only spend a few hours there. A long visit, an overnight stay, will reward you with fantastic views and unique memories.
When to visit the Blue Mountains?
The Blue Mountains region can be visited all year round. Spring runs from September to November, with temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees, moderate wind and humidity. It's a good time for hiking, as is autumn, between March and May.
The area hosts a number of festivals which can increase accommodation prices, but are also good times for a different experience. For example, the music festival (in March).
From December to February, in summer, the weather is perfect for taking a walk in the park, but too hot for hiking - except in the early hours of the morning. The average maximum temperature at this time of year is 30 degrees. This is the high season, so you'll have higher prices and more tourists.
The winter months - from June to August - bring many days of rain and sometimes snow. There are hardly any holidaymakers, so prices drop enormously.
In short, the best time of year to visit the Blue Mountains is spring and autumn, due to the climate and affordable prices, and summer if you want to take part in outdoor activities without any problems.
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The best way to visit the Blue Mountains
There are basically three ways to get to the mountains: hire a car, take public transport or go on a tour.
Hire a car
If you have your own car, it's much easier. Choose to hire a car with Discovercars. This site allows you to compare prices and, in many cases, you can cancel the rental free of charge up to 48 hours before departure.
I travelled to the Blue Mountains this way because it's the most comfortable and flexible way. Without my own transport it was impossible to move around as I wished, to stop along the way or to stay for the sunset.
To enjoy a getaway to the Blue Mountains by car, travel from Sydney via the M4. The Great Western Highway, between Sydney and Bathurst, climbs distances, taking you through Springwood, Woodford, Wentworth Falls and Leura. An alternative route is via Windsor and the Bells Line of Road.
If you want to make the round trip on the same day (which I don't recommend), it's important to leave Sydney as early as possible (perhaps around 7am) and head towards Penrith (this road includes tolls).
Even if they insist on the rental company, reject the e-tag (a kind of green card) and choose to pay online. You have three days to make the payment.
Basically, it works like the so-called "SCUT" in Portugal, for those who don't have Via Verde. You pass the toll and then pay. On this site you can check the cost of the journeys.
7 advantages of hiring a car to visit the Blue Mountains
- You can come and go as you please
- You can change the route at any time
- You can visit other places along the way
- You can watch the spectacular sunset at the Three Sisters
- It's significantly cheaper than a tour
- You can take longer walks than those offered on the tours
- You'll appreciate nature more
Train
Trains leave Sydney Central Station every hour and take around two hours to reach Katoomba - the park's main town - with stops at Parramatta, Penrith and Springwood.
You will need a card Opal to travel on the train and, if you travel at the weekend, you can benefit from lower prices. For around 8 Australian dollars you can travel unlimited on transport during the weekend. It's also cheaper to travel outside the main timetable (before 7am or after 9am on weekdays).
For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the upper floor. On this site you can check the prices of the trips.
For those travelling by train, there are public buses from Katoomba (route 686) to Echo Point (the Three Sisters viewpoint). Another way to visit the sights is to travel on the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, which leaves from Katoomba station and stops at all the main attractions, such as Scenic World a Leura.
Advantages of travelling by train to the Blue Mountains
- It's the cheapest option (but the least flexible)
- You can travel without traffic problems
- Transport is guaranteed on a daily basis
Check the timetable on this site.
Honestly, if you're short of time, this is the option I suggest you discard, even though it's the cheapest.
As part of a tour
Taking a tour to see the Blue Mountains has three advantages.
- It's more relaxing
- The itinerary is carefully selected
- It's safer if you want to walk and don't have confidence
Save time (and money)
If you want to immerse yourself even more in the local culture, optimise your route and even save money, take part in experiences and guided tours in the Blue Mountains. Book the best tours and activities in advance. Skip the queues and get your entrances to monumentsYou'll have more time to enjoy your trip.
Hotel in the Blue Mountains
If you want to spend the night in the mountains, there are several options: Blueberry Hills On Comleroy (recommended option) and the No14 Lovel St hostel (cheapest option), with the main accommodation in Katoomba, Blackheath and Leura. There are shops and restaurants in all three towns, and buses also stop there.
On this map you can see the location of the hotels in relation to the national park.
- Illalangi Boutique Cottage (9.1)
- Carrington Hotel (8.6)
- Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains (8.1)
- Mountain Heritage Blue Mountains Hotel (8.3)
If you choose to stay overnight in Sydney, I recommend the Cremorne Point Manor, is one of the most popular in the city.
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I've been to 60 countries, so if you have a trip in mind with a group of friends, family or work colleagues, contact me and I'll be happy to plan, organise and lead the trip you want. The itinerary can be customised, as can the budget and activities.
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