Harbour city, sandstone cliffs and coral
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef
Sydney to Blue Mountains
Sydney and Blue Mountains sit about 85 km (53 mi) apart in a straight line, with Blue Mountains to the west. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef itinerary, an 11-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 85 km · 53 mi
- Est. road distance
- 102–119 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 102–119 km (63–74 mi) of road and 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Sydney and Blue Mountains depends on the line — check timetables.
Sydney's trains and ferries cover the city, and Sydney Trains run direct to Katoomba. Fly Sydney to Cairns (about 3 hours), then rent a car or use shuttles for the 70-minute coastal drive to Port Douglas.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Blue Mountains
Sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus valleys around Katoomba, two hours from Sydney. Stay 2 days.
Three Sisters
Three sandstone pillars above the Jamison Valley, seen from Echo Point Lookout.
Scenic World
Steep railway, cable car and skyway over the Jamison Valley, with rainforest boardwalks.
Wentworth Falls
Tiered waterfall with lookouts and a cliff-edge track along the National Pass.
Leura Mall
Tree-lined main street of Leura with cafes, homeware stores and garden shops.
Leura Gourmet
Cafe and deli on Leura Mall with a back dining room that looks out over the Jamison Valley.
The Carrington Hotel
Grand 1880s hotel in Katoomba with a historic bar and a wood fire.
Before you leave Sydney
Harbour city of beaches, ferries and landmark architecture. Stay 4 days.
Sydney Opera House
Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed performing arts center, with daily tours and a full program of shows.
BridgeClimb Sydney
Guided climb over the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 134 m above the water.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
6 km clifftop path past ocean pools, Tamarama and Bronte beaches and Waverley Cemetery.
On this curated route
Where Sydney → Blue Mountains sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Blue Mountains to Sydney is the same 85 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in July, when Blue Mountains averages highs 7°C cooler than Sydney.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney high | 25° | 25° | 24° | 22° | 19° | 17° | 16° | 17° | 19° | 21° | 23° | 24° |
| Blue Mountains high | 27° | 25° | 21° | 18° | 13° | 10° | 9° | 11° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 25° |
| Sydney rain | 83 | 134 | 104 | 73 | 54 | 87 | 44 | 47 | 43 | 64 | 83 | 72 |
| Blue Mountains rain | 81 | 110 | 85 | 47 | 33 | 60 | 36 | 41 | 41 | 56 | 81 | 78 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Blue Mountains month guides.
Sydney to Blue Mountains: questions travelers ask
How far is Sydney from Blue Mountains?
Sydney is about 85 km (53 mi) from Blue Mountains in a straight line, with Blue Mountains to the west. By road, we estimate 102–119 km (63–74 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Blue Mountains?
An estimated 1 h 15 min – 2 h 15 min, assuming 102–119 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Sydney to Blue Mountains?
Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef itinerary includes this leg. Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef runs about 11 days across 4 stops, best in May – Oct.
Onward from Blue Mountains
- Blue Mountains to Cairns 1,922 km
Guides for both ends
- Sydney travel guide
- Sydney weather best time to visit
- Blue Mountains travel guide
- Blue Mountains weather best time to visit
Blue Mountains by month
Plan Sydney → Blue Mountains with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.