New South Wales, Australia
Blue Mountains
Sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus valleys around Katoomba, two hours from Sydney. Stay 2 days. We have mapped 2 sights, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Oct
- Warmest month
- January
- Coolest month
- July
- Wettest month
- February
2 See · 2 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop
Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef
from our route notes
27°C / 81°F avg high
9°C / 49°F avg high
about 110 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Blue Mountains
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
2 sights worth building a day around across Katoomba and Blackheath. All 2 are free to visit.
Photo: SidyBee · GoogleSeeThree Sisters
Three sandstone pillars above the Jamison Valley, seen from Echo Point Lookout.
Tip Come at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid coach tours.
Photo: Govetts Leap lookout · Google
Do
2 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Katoomba and Clarence.
Photo: MrActiniuM · CC BY-SA 4.0DoScenic World
Steep railway, cable car and skyway over the Jamison Valley, with rainforest boardwalks.
Tip Buy tickets online and ride the railway first.
Photo: Richard Taylor · CC BY 2.0DoZig Zag Railway
Heritage steam and diesel trains running down the 1860s zig-zag line from Clarence near Lithgow, with sandstone cuttings and viaducts.
Tip Book the 90-minute run to Bottom Points; drive via Bells Line of Road.
Outdoors
2 outdoor spots for fresh air across Wentworth Falls and Blackheath. All 2 are free to visit.
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0OutdoorsWentworth Falls
Tiered waterfall with lookouts and a cliff-edge track along the National Pass.
Photo: Daithí Mac · GoogleOutdoorsGrand Canyon Track
6 km loop near Blackheath descending into a fern-lined slot canyon.
Tip Steep steps; allow 3 to 4 hours.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Blue Mountains across Leura and Medlow Bath.
Photo: Leura Gourmet · GoogleEatLeura Gourmet
Cafe and deli on Leura Mall with a back dining room that looks out over the Jamison Valley.
Tip Ask for a table in the back room for the valley view.
Photo: Grahamec · CC BY-SA 3.0EatHydro Majestic Hotel
Restored 1904 cliff-top hotel in Medlow Bath known for high tea above the Megalong Valley.
Tip Book high tea ahead and ask for a valley-view table.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Blue Mountains in Katoomba.
Photo: BriMiDra · CC BY-SA 4.0
Shop
Markets and shops worth the detour in Leura.
Photo: Tan.W · Google
How to fit Blue Mountains into a trip
Blue Mountains is stop 2 of 4 on our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route. Follow it as-is or lift Blue Mountains into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 4
Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef
Harbour city, sandstone cliffs and coral
- Trip length
- 11 days
- Best season
- May – Oct
- Pace
- easy
Getting here and onward
- Sydney to Blue MountainsSydney is about 85 km / 53 mi away in a straight line
- Blue Mountains to CairnsCairns is about 1,922 km / 1,194 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Blue Mountains month by month
Average daily highs run from 9°C / 49°F in July to 27°C / 81°F in January. February is the wettest month, with about 110 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan27° / 81°F average high
- Feb25° / 76°F average high
- Mar21° / 71°F average high
- Apr18° / 64°F average high
- May13° / 56°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun10° / 50°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul9° / 49°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug11° / 52°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep15° / 59°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct19° / 66°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov22° / 72°F average high
- Dec25° / 76°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Blue Mountains weather and the best time to visit →
Near Blue Mountains
1 other destination from our guides within about 100 km (62 mi), measured in a straight line.
Blue Mountains questions, answered
How many days do you need in Blue Mountains?
Our route notes suggest 2 days in Blue Mountains. On our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route it is stop 2 of 4 in a 11-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Blue Mountains best known for?
Sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus valleys around Katoomba, two hours from Sydney. Stay 2 days. Standouts on our list: Three Sisters (Three sandstone pillars above the Jamison Valley, seen from Echo Point Lookout); Govetts Leap Lookout (Lookout over the Grose Valley and Bridal Veil Falls near Blackheath); Wentworth Falls (Tiered waterfall with lookouts and a cliff-edge track along the National Pass).
When is the best time to visit Blue Mountains?
Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route is best May – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in January (27°C / 81°F), the coolest in July (9°C / 49°F) and the most rain in February (about 110 mm).
What are the best things to do in Blue Mountains?
Start with Three Sisters, Scenic World, Wentworth Falls, Grand Canyon Track and Govetts Leap Lookout. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 2 sights, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Blue Mountains?
Our picks: Leura Gourmet; Hydro Majestic Hotel (Medlow Bath). Ask for a table in the back room for the valley view (Leura Gourmet).
Plan Blue Mountains with your crew
Open the Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Blue Mountains
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