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The Blue Mountains pack more into one day than most regions do in a week: a UNESCO World Heritage national park, the steepest passenger railway in the world, 187-metre waterfalls and a network of cliff-edge walking tracks. Most things to do centre on Katoomba, with Leura and Blackheath adding gardens, lookouts and quieter trails. This list, part of our Blue Mountains travel guide, gives the location, opening hours and ticket prices for each stop so you can plan a real itinerary.
Things to Do in the Blue Mountains: Iconic Lookouts
Three Sisters and Echo Point
The Three Sisters are the region’s postcard image: three sandstone towers named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo that rise from the Jamison Valley. The free Echo Point lookout in Katoomba gives the classic view and has a visitor information centre, toilets and a paid car park (about A$5 an hour). Go before 9am for the clearest light and fewest crowds, and stay for the floodlit view after dark.
Scenic World
Scenic World (1 Violet Street, Katoomba, open daily 9am to 5pm) runs four rides over and into the Jamison Valley: the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world at a 52° incline, the Scenic Skyway gliding 270 metres above the ravine, the Scenic Cableway that descends 545 metres, and the 2.4km Scenic Walkway boardwalk through temperate rainforest. An Unlimited Discovery Pass costs A$64 for adults and A$38.40 for kids, with under-3s free, and gives unlimited rides all day.
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap, at the end of Govetts Leap Road in Blackheath, looks over the 180-metre Bridal Veil Falls and the Grose Valley. The lookout is free, has toilets and picnic tables, and is the trailhead for the short Barrow Lookout walk. Sunrise here is a favourite with photographers because the valley catches the light before the Katoomba side does.
Things to Do in the Blue Mountains: Waterfalls and Hikes
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls is a three-tiered waterfall with a total drop of about 187 metres, reached from the Wentworth Falls picnic area off Falls Road. The short Jamison Lookout track is an easy 15-minute return walk; the longer Wentworth Pass descends beside the falls and is a steep half-day route. The falls run hardest after rain, which is most likely between January and March; for the drier walking months, see our best time to visit guide.
Grand Canyon Track
The Grand Canyon Track in Blackheath is the region’s signature bushwalk: a 6.3km loop through fern-filled sandstone walls and rainforest that takes 3 to 4 hours. It starts at Evans Lookout Road and is graded medium, with hundreds of steps and some slippery rock, so wear proper boots and start before 9am to finish before the afternoon. Check the forecast in our weather by month guide before you go, as the track is slow when wet.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk
This 7km cliff-top track links Katoomba to Leura along the escarpment, passing Echo Point, the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Leura Cascades with views the whole way. It takes about 3 hours one way and is mostly flat and well signposted, making it the best single-day walk for first-time visitors. Return by train or bus, or book an Uber back to your car.
National Pass
The National Pass at Wentworth Falls is a steep, historic track cut into the cliff face in 1906, with ladders and stone staircases beside the falls. It takes 3 to 4 hours and is graded hard, with several hundred metres of climbing. It has been closed for rockfall repairs at times, so check the NSW National Parks alerts page before you set out.
Things to Do in the Blue Mountains: Caves and Gardens
Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves, about 30 km south-west of Katoomba, is an 11-cave limestone system with guided tours of chambers like the Lucas Cave and the Orient Cave. Tours run daily and cost from about A$45 for adults, and the caves are lit with coloured LED lighting. Because of a landslip on the direct road, access is currently via Oberon rather than the Five Mile road, so allow an extra 30 minutes of driving; the route details are in our travel tips guide.
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is a 28-hectare cool-climate garden at 1,000 metres, run by the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and free to enter. Its collections focus on plants from high-altitude climates, and the rhododendron and conifer displays peak in October. The on-site cafe and picnic lawns make it a good lunch stop between Bilpin and Blackheath.
Everglades Historic House and Gardens
Everglades (37 Everglades Avenue, Leura) is a 1930s Art Deco house surrounded by Paul Sorensen-designed terraced gardens. It is run by the National Trust, opens daily from 10am to 4pm, and adult entry costs about A$17. The garden’s wisteria and maples peak in spring and autumn, and the view from the top terrace over the Jamison Valley is one of the best in Leura.
Things to Do in the Blue Mountains: Culture and Villages
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre (30 Parke Street, Katoomba) combines a regional art gallery with a World Heritage exhibition and a viewing platform over the valley. It opens daily and adult entry is about A$6. The gallery shows Australian artists and hosts a changing exhibition program; for openings and festivals during your visit, check our events and festivals calendar.
Leura Village and the Mall
Leura Mall, the village’s main street, is a two-hour wander of boutiques, antique shops, galleries and cafes set in heritage shopfronts, with the Toy and Railway Museum at one end. It is the best place to eat lunch between walks, and the gardens behind the shops bloom in spring. For how it fits into the wider region, see the neighborhoods guide.
Norman Lindsay Gallery
The Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge, a National Trust property, was the home and studio of the Australian artist and writer Norman Lindsay and shows his paintings, etchings and sculptures. It opens daily and adult entry is about A$15. The grounds have bronze sculptures and a cafe, and it is an easy stop on the drive up from Sydney; for where to overnight nearby, see our where to stay guide.
