As the Blue Mountains are just 60km away from Sydney, it’s a popular destination with locals and visitors alike. The natural beauty of the Blue Mountains National Park is guaranteed to captivate any visitor, both young and old alike.
Explore a maze of walking tracks with eucalyptus trees towering over you. Head into a network of underground caves and visit magnificent rock formations. Then head back to Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep after a long day of exploring.
Step into a world filled with amazing sights and sounds. A world of rugged wilderness and beauty. The Blue Mountains come with endless walking, hiking, climbing, caving, camping, mountain biking and canoeing opportunities.
Keep reading to discover the top 10 things to do in Blue Mountains National Park and surrounding areas.
1. Blue Mountains Heritage Centre
The Blue Mountain Heritage Centre is located near Blackheath and offers visitors expert advice on walking tracks and hiking trails as well as information on plants, animals and activities in the area.
Looking for amazing sights and awesome things to do in Blue Mountains? The Heritage Center is the perfect starting point to your Blue Mountains experience. Explore the local Aboriginal culture and prepare yourself for the wilderness by learning everything you need to know about the Blue Mountains.
Enjoy a unique virtual reality experience that will take through the spectacular Claustral canyon. Browse the centre’s shop for souvenirs, clothing, maps, books, gifts and art. Heritage Centre is a great stop on a family day trip as many great walking tracks start and end here.
End of Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath NSW 2785
2. Three Sisters
The Three Sisters is Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. This unusual rock formation is only 2.5 km from the Great Western Highway, attracting, as a result, millions of visitors every year.
The character of this formation changes throughout the day and the seasons. As the sunlight hits it from different angles, it’s painted in magnificent red, yellow and amber hues, transforming it into a towering bronze work of art. The rocks sit at nearly one kilometre above sea level; a mesmerising sight to behold!
According to an Aboriginal legend, three sisters names Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo fell in love with three brothers from a neighbouring tribe. Marriage between the two tribes was forbidden, so the brothers decided to take the maidens by force. A wise man turned the sisters to stone to protect them from the war, but died in battle and was never able to break the spell.
The walk is easily accessible and begins at the Echo Point Visitor Centre. You’ll immediately be surrounded by beautiful eucalyptus trees, bird calls and fresh air. From there, you can choose from one of several walking tracks that descend into the valley. Follow The Giant Stairway 800-step trail to reach the base of the peaks and enjoy the breathtaking views up close.
23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780
3. Scenic World
You can’t visit the Blue Mountains and not get to experience Scenic World. Scenic World is located in the corner of Violet Street and Cliff Drive and is on the most popular Blue Mountains attractions.
The Scenic Rjeailway was reopened in 2013 and is the steepest passenger railway in the world. You can choose your own adventure by picking from a selection of available rides. The train departs every ten minutes and can carry up to 84 passengers as it descends hundreds of meters through tunnels and into the ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley Floor.
If you’d rather gaze from above, you could glide between the cliff tops with Scenic Skyway. Soaring at a height of 270 metres, cabins with glass floors provide visitors with breathtaking views of the valley below. Explore the Blue Mountains in a 720-metre journey to remember!
Violet St &, Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780
4. Govetts Leap Lookout
Take in amazing Blue Mountains views from Govetts Leap lookout. Discover tall waterfalls, sandstone escarpments, sheer cliff walls and deep canyons and other Blue Mountains attractions. Located in the Blackheath area, Govetts Leap is easily accessible by car.
This is one of Australia’s most famous lookouts with millions of people visiting every year. If the sweeping views down the valley are not enough to mesmerise you, then the 180m waterfall at the base of the valley will.
Go birdwatching and you might catch a glimpse of the vibrant king parrot or the yellow-tailed black cockatoo. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try descending deeper into the valley to enjoy more challenging walks and hikes.
Cliff Top Track, Blue Mountains National Park NSW 2787
5. Wentworth Falls
The 700m walk that leads to Wentworth Falls is short but steep. Follow the path past Jamison and Wentworth lookouts and descend 200 steps to the edge of Fletchers lookout.
The lookout grounds are accessible and convenient, with a huge car park, toilets, picnic tables and a visitor information centre. There are plenty of walks to choose from, including longer walks to Evans Lookout and Pulpit Rock. One recommended short walk option that’s worth your time is the walk to Bridal Veil Falls and back.
Hikes in this area range in difficulty and you can view the falls from many different outlooks. You can also reach the falls by following the National Pass walking trail. Access to this particular trail is not guaranteed and depends on the weather and season so make sure you check on local conditions beforehand.
Falls Rd, Wentworth Falls NSW 2780
6. Katoomba
Katoomba is a major tourist hub and the largest town in the Blue Mountains. Katoomba and other smaller neighbouring towns became known when the Katoomba Coal mine was opened in 1879. These once-unknown tiny towns soon developed to popular holiday resorts as railways were built to transfer coal to Sydney.
There are plenty of galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants in Katoomba. North of the Great Western Highway you’ll find the head office of the Blue Mountains City Council, the Renaissance Centre and The Edge Cinema. Visitors at The Edge can enjoy a short 40-minute documentary that takes them into the unexplored wilderness of the Blue Mountains.
Further north on the Great Western Highway, you’ll find the Showground as well as Melrose and Harold Hodgson park. If you drive along Minni Ha-Ha Road, you’ll eventually reach Minni Ha-Ha Reserve from where you can walk to the beautiful Minni Ha-Ha Falls within Yosemite Park.
Katoomba, NSW 2780
7. Leura
Leura is another one of those wonderful Blue Mountains attractions, located just three kilometres east of Katoomba. The pretty town of Leura is known for its spas and gardens. The main streets are lined with cherry trees and charming 19th-century Edwardian buildings.
Shop for souvenirs or just browse local merchandise in of the many galleries and antique shops. Enjoy the town’s famous Garden festival in early October, featuring glorious cool-climate spring gardens that come in all sizes!
Head to Leura Cascades (just 2.2km from Leura Railway station) for a family picnic amidst tall eucalyptus trees. You can also take a walk down Leura Falls or up to Echo point from here.
Leura, NSW 2780
8. The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is Australia’s highest Botanic garden, sister to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. Perched on basalt peak almost 300 metres above sea level, the gardens provide visitors with breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains wilderness.
Here you’ll find cool-climate plants, mainly from the southern hemisphere. Explore the different sections of the garden to find out how different plans evolved throughout the ages. Dive deeper into the wilderness by taking a walk through the 33-hectare Blue Mountains rainforest known as ‘The Jungle’.
Visit the World Heritage Exhibition Centre to learn more about the area’s ecosystems and social landscapes through high-tech interactive exhibits. Navigate your way through a number of stories as you learn more about the history of the Blue Mountains. Relax and take a break at the restaurant and picnic areas.
Bells Line of Rd, Mount Tomah NSW 2758
Discover the best things to do in Blue Mountains on your romantic escape. Bring your camera to snap pictures of the best Blue Mountain attractions, Or, hike through Blue Mountains National park and stumble upon incredible viewpoints. It all starts here, at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley: the gateway to all the amazing sights and attractions in the Blue Mountains.
