AU · New South Wales · 33.60°S 150.35°E

blue mountains

Sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus haze and bushwalks, a train ride from Sydney.

Best time
March–May and September–November are cool and clear for walking. June–August is cold and foggy, with the odd snowfall; summer days are warm, with a risk of bushfires.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly direct from KL to Sydney (about 8 hours), then the train from Central to Katoomba takes about 2 hours. Sydney is 2 hours ahead of KL, 3 during daylight saving (October to early April).
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AU · New South Walesblue mountains33.60°S 150.35°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus haze and bushwalks, a train ride from Sydney.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBlue MountainsAU, New South Wales
KLblue mountains
≈ 6,531 km from KL, as the crow flies
A panoramic view of the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens as a 3 segment exposure blended panorama.

Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Blue Mountains are a sandstone plateau cut by deep, forested valleys, with a blue haze from the eucalyptus oil in the air. Katoomba and Leura are easy bases for lookouts, waterfalls and bushwalks of every length.

Makan

  1. Devonshire teaScones with jam and cream in a Leura tearoom, the classic mountain stop.Map ↗
  2. Café breakfastKatoomba's main street has plenty of cafés for a breakfast before your walk.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Echo PointThe main lookout, facing the Three Sisters rock formation across the Jamison Valley.Map ↗
  2. Wentworth FallsA waterfall dropping off the cliff edge, with walks ranging from short lookouts to steep stairs down into the valley.Map ↗
  3. Scenic WorldBilled as the steepest passenger railway in the world, plus cable cars over and down into the valley.Map ↗
  4. LeuraA pretty village of gardens, antique shops and tearooms, one stop from Katoomba.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal options are few up here, so bring lunch from Sydney or pack a picnic.
  • The tracks down into the valleys are long flights of steep stairs; the clifftop paths give you the views with far less effort.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.