Plan Your Escape: What to Do in the Blue Mountains
Planning a day trip or weekend away and not sure what to do in the Blue Mountains? You’re in the right spot. Just a short drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is packed with stunning scenery, walking trails, cosy villages, and more than a few hidden gems. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, keen to explore lookouts, or just want to relax with a coffee and mountain views, there’s plenty to discover. Here’s a guide to the best things to see and do—plus a few tips to help you make the most of it.
Top Attractions and Activities to Do in the Blue Mountains
If you’re wondering what to do in the Blue Mountains, NSW, you’re in for a treat. This World Heritage-listed region offers a delightful blend of natural wonders, thrilling adventures, and serene hideaways. Here are 10 top attractions and experiences to check out:
1. Echo Point & the Three Sisters
Location: Cliff Dr, Katoomba (signposted from the Great Western Hwy)
Time needed: 30–60 min for photos; longer if you add a short walk
Kick off at Echo Point Lookout in Katoomba for the postcard view of the Three Sisters rising above Jamison Valley’s blue-hazed cliffs. Interpretive boards share the Gundungurra and Darug creation stories, and well-marked tracks—like the short Three Sisters Walk or the longer Prince Henry Cliff Walk—fan out from the viewing deck, so you can step straight onto the trail after your photos.
Arrive at sunrise or stay for golden hour; the sandstone peaks glow orange and the day-trip crowds thin right out.
2. Ride (and walk) Scenic World
Location: Corner Violet St & Cliff Dr, Katoomba (free on-site parking)
Time needed: 2–3 hrs (allow half-day in school holidays)
Just up the road, Scenic World strings four adventures together in one spot:
Scenic Railway: a 52-degree incline that still holds bragging rights as the world’s steepest passenger railway.
Scenic Skyway: glide 270m above Katoomba Falls in a 72-person glass-floored cabin for 360° valley views.
Scenic Cableway: ease down to the rainforest floor.
Scenic Walkway: a 2.4km boardwalk that lets you wander among ancient tree ferns without muddy boots.
Buy a day pass so you can loop the rides as often as you like—mornings are quieter, afternoons see more tour buses.
3. Wentworth Falls Track
Trailhead: Wentworth Falls picnic area, Sir Hensman Park Rd
Distance/Grade: 1.4km return, Grade 3 (moderate)
Time needed: 45 min–1 hr
If waterfalls are high on your Blue Mountains hit list, this classic 1.4km return walk delivers big impact for modest effort. Starting from the Wentworth Falls picnic area, you’ll descend stone steps to multiple lookouts before the final spray-soaked platform beside the 187m drop. Allow 45 minutes to an hour and pack a picnic for the clifftop tables.
4. Grand Canyon Track (Blackheath)
Trailhead: Grand Canyon car park, Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath
Distance/Grade: 6.3km loop, Grade 3 (moderate–hard)
Time needed: 3–4 hrs
For a proper bushwalk without needing multi-day gear, tackle this 6km loop through sandstone canyons, fern-lined creeks and tunnel-like overhangs. Most walkers finish in two to three hours; go counter-clockwise from Neates Glen, so the toughest stair climb delivers you to the panoramic Evans Lookout.
For parents wondering what to do in the Blue Mountains with kids, this is also a great choice. Bring along a red-light head torch—little ones will love spotting glow-worms glimmering in the damp rock walls.
5. Govetts Leap Lookout & Grose Valley Vistas
Location: End of Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath (2.5km from the highway)
Time needed: 20 min–all day (stay longer if you hit the trails)
Blackheath’s signature lookout dishes up one of the widest panoramas in the park: red-cliff escarpments, the 180m Bridal Veil (Govetts Leap) Falls and the vast, forested Grose Valley wilderness.
The viewpoint is wheelchair-friendly, and longer walks like Pulpit Rock or the new Grand Cliff Top Walk start right here if you’re keen to stretch your legs. Pack binoculars! Wedgetail eagles often ride the thermals above the valley.
6. Jenolan Caves (Lucas Cave & friends)
•Location: 4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan (via Oberon)
•Time needed: 1–2 hrs per show cave; allow a full day including the drive
Carved from 430-million-year-old limestone, Jenolan is one of the world’s oldest cave systems. When tours resume, Lucas Cave wows with cathedral-scale chambers and crystalline shawls, while River Cave threads beside an underground lake.
7. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Location: Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah NSW 2758
Time needed: 1½–3 hrs (longer if you linger over lunch or a guided walk)
Sitting 1,000 m above sea level, this is Australia’s only botanic garden inside a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Wander cool-climate plantings, a brand-new forest boardwalk and sweeping valley lookouts—all free entry and open daily 9 am–5 pm.
Kids love the bog garden and giant Wollemi pines, while plant-nerds can hunt rare proteas on the Rock Garden terraces.
8. Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track
Trailhead: Carpark at the end of Glow Worm Tunnel Rd, Newnes Plateau
Distance/Grade: 6km return, Grade 3 (easy-moderate)
Time needed: 2–3 hrs
Once a railway for oil-shale mines, the 387m tunnel is now lit by thousands of bioluminescent larvae. The stroll in passes pagoda rock formations and tree-fern gullies before darkness swallows you—switch off torches (or use a head torch with a red-light mode), wait a minute, and the “stars” appear.
9. Hanging Rock & Baltzer Lookout (Burramoko Ridge Trail)
Trailhead: Ridgewell Rd gate, Blackheath
Distance/Grade: 10km return, Grade 4 (medium)
Time needed: 3–4 hrs on foot (2 hrs by mountain-bike)
A fire trail rolls along Burramoko Ridge to an unfenced clifftop where a blade of sandstone—Hanging Rock—juts over Grose Valley. The void beneath your boots is 200m deep, and the waratah-lined ridge flowers crimson in spring.
10. High Tea & Teapot Museum at Bygone Beautys
Location: 20–22 Grose St, Leura (two-minute stroll from Leura Station, just off Leura Mall)
Time needed: 1–2 hrs for museum + high tea; linger longer if you love antique browsing
Swap hiking boots for fine china at Bygone Beautys, home to the world’s largest private collection of teawares—more than 11,000 teapots spanning five centuries. After a quick wander through the Treasured Teapot Museum, settle in for a silver-service high tea complete with tiered stands, linen napkins and old-fashioned charm.
The venue opens daily 10 am–5:30 pm, so you can fit it between morning walks to the Leura Cascades or use it as a rainy-day fallback.
Tips for a Memorable Blue Mountains Adventure
Now that you’ve got a good sense of what is there to do in the Blue Mountains, it’s time to make your visit smooth, safe, and unforgettable. Here are a few helpful tips to help you prepare like a pro and enjoy every moment of your mountain getaway.
Time your visit
The Mountains are a year-round destination, but spring and autumn are hard to beat—cooler temps, fewer crowds, and stunning colours in the bush or garden. Summer can get surprisingly hot, and winter brings frosty mornings (and the occasional dusting of snow).
If you can swing a mid-week trip, you’ll avoid the busiest days at popular spots like Echo Point and Scenic World.
Book ahead during busy periods
Katoomba and Leura are super popular during school holidays, long weekends and events like Ultra-Trail Australia. Accommodation, tours and even dinner spots can book out fast, so it’s worth locking in your plans early if you’re travelling in peak season.
Plan your transport ahead
If you’re driving, be aware that popular lookouts and trailheads can fill up quickly on weekends and public holidays. Arrive early or consider visiting lesser-known spots to avoid the crowds.
If you’re coming by train (e.g. from Sydney to Katoomba), use the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus or local buses to get around between towns and attractions.
Go early for the best light (and fewer people)
Sunrise at lookouts like Govetts Leap or Wentworth Falls is next-level—and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Early starts not only beat the crowds but often bring cooler air, better light for photos, and more active wildlife.
Dress for the weather (and the terrain)
The weather in the mountains can change quickly—sunshine in the morning, mist or showers by mid-afternoon. Always bring layers, including a windproof rain jacket. If you’re heading out on bushwalks, wear sturdy shoes with good grip and pack a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Check track closures before heading out
The weather (or planned burns) can shut down walking tracks with little notice. Always check the NSW National Parks website or app for alerts before you leave—especially after heavy rain. It’s frustrating to arrive at a trailhead only to find the route closed, and ignoring signs could land you a fine or worse.
Let someone know your plans
If you’re heading out on a longer walk or anything off the beaten track, it’s smart to leave your trip details with a friend—or fill out the free trip intention form through NSW National Parks.
They also recommend carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) for remote walks, especially where mobile coverage is patchy.
Pack food—or know where to stop
While Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath have plenty of cafés and bakeries, some trailheads and more remote areas offer little in the way of food options. It’s worth packing lunch or snacks, especially if you’re hiking or heading further afield (like Jenolan or Mount Tomah).
Don’t get caught with a flat battery
Maps, photos, and emergency calls all rely on a charged phone, and trailheads in the Blue Mountains rarely come with power points. A lightweight battery bank is fine for topping up a handset, but if you ’re car camping or out on a long day hike with a drone, camera, or other gear to charge, having a compact power station on hand gives you peace of mind when you’re off-grid.
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 makes that easy. It squeezes a 245Wh LiFePO4 battery into a 3.5 kg shell—easy to stash next to the esky or slide into a daypack. A pure-sine AC outlet delivers 300W continuous (600W bursts via X-Boost), so you can top up a laptop, drone batteries or even run a tiny induction plate back at camp.
Plug it into mains and X-Stream charging takes you from empty to full in about an hour; a 110W solar panel does the job in roughly 2.6 hours of good sun, handy if you’re overnighting off-grid.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station
Stay overnight and camp smart
Overnighting among the gums is one of the best ways to slow down and really feel the Mountains, but a good plan makes it smoother (and safer). Book designated sites like Dunphy’s or Ingar well ahead—rangers do check—and arrive with everything you need packed out and back again, including rubbish.
Nights can drop below freezing even in shoulder seasons, so a four-season sleeping bag and a beanie earn their spot in your pack. Fire bans are common from spring through autumn; bring a gas stove for cooking and swap woodfires for LED lanterns.
A compact solar generator tops the kit off nicely: set the panel in the morning sun, and you’ll have quiet, emission-free power for lights, phone charging and that all-important coffee grinder without worrying about spare batteries or campground outlets.
Respect the land you’re walking on
The Blue Mountains sit on Gundungurra and Dharug Country, and many places hold deep cultural and spiritual significance. Stick to marked paths, don’t touch or remove anything, and leave the landscape as you found it. Following Leave No Trace principles helps preserve this special place for everyone.
Conclusion
From jaw-dropping lookouts and hidden waterfalls to heritage trails and cosy village cafés, the Blue Mountains never fail to impress. Now that you know what to do in the Blue Mountains, you’re all set to plan a trip that suits your pace—whether that’s action-packed or blissfully relaxed. With a bit of planning and a sense of adventure, your Blue Mountains getaway is bound to be one for the books. Don’t forget your walking shoes and camera—you’ll want both.
FAQs
What can you do in the Blue Mountains?
You can explore scenic bushwalks, such as the Grand Canyon Track and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Iconic landmarks like the Three Sisters at Echo Point provide breathtaking views. Adventure seekers might enjoy abseiling, canyoning, or riding the world’s steepest railway at Scenic World. For a more relaxed experience, you can stroll through charming villages like Leura and Katoomba.
Is Blue Mountains worth a day trip?
Absolutely! Located just a 50 min drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains make for an excellent day trip. In a single day, you can witness the majestic Three Sisters, enjoy panoramic views from various lookouts, and even embark on short hikes to waterfalls like Wentworth Falls. While a longer stay allows for deeper exploration, a day trip provides a memorable glimpse into the region’s natural beauty and charm.
How long should you spend in the Blue Mountains?
The ideal duration depends on your interests. A day trip is sufficient to see major highlights, but spending two to three days allows for a more relaxed pace, enabling you to explore multiple walking trails, visit various lookouts, and experience local towns in depth.
What is the best part of the Blue Mountains?
It depends on your interests. The Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point is arguably the most iconic, offering stunning views over the Jamison Valley. Scenic World provides thrilling experiences like the Scenic Railway and Skyway, giving unique perspectives of the landscape. For those seeking tranquillity, the village of Leura charms visitors with its gardens, boutiques, and cafés.