A breathtaking view of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, with towering sandstone cliffs, lush forested valleys, and rolling hills under a clear blue sky.
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Blue Mountains Day Trip: The Perfect Itinerary + Tips For Your Visit

A Blue Mountains day trip is the perfect way to escape from the busy Sydney and recharge in nature. It’s crazy to think this slice of heaven is so close to the most populous city in Australia!

Just 1.5 to 2 hours away, this region is packed with beautiful landscapes, epic hikes, waterfalls, lookouts, and more.

A woman in hiking gear and a hat stands on a rocky ledge overlooking the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, with vast forested valleys and sandstone cliffs stretching into the distance under a bright blue sky.
A scenic hike to Fortress Falls reveals breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

You can check most of the highlights in one day – Echo Point and Three Sisters, Scenic World, and do a hike or two to enjoy the sights, see some waterfalls, and explore the forest.

You have to be strategic, though! It’s only a day trip after all.

We stayed there for a few months. But if we only had one day, this guide has what we think is the perfect itinerary for a day trip to the Blue Mountains.

A hiker walks along a narrow cliffside path with safety railings at Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, with sweeping views of lush forested valleys and dramatic sandstone cliffs.
Wentworth Falls cliff walk thrills.

We included insider tips and hacks to make sure you make the most out of those hours. Let’s get started!

We recognise the traditional owners of this land, the Darug and Gundungurra peoples.

Epic Blue Mountains day trip tours from Sydney:

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Morning itinerary for a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney

Note: If you’ve already seen Three Sisters and Scenic World, skip this section and go for a hike instead! All the details are in the afternoon section below, click here to go there.

Start your day early from Sydney to arrive at Katoomba at 8-8:30 am and beat the crowds for your first stop, Echo Point lookout.

Three Sisters at Echo Point Lookout

The famous Three Sisters rock formation is an iconic experience in the Blue Mountains region. The views of these ancient rocks paired with the stunning Jamison Valley are something you’ll never forget.

The iconic Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, surrounded by lush eucalyptus forest and dramatic cliffs under a bright blue sky.
The Three Sisters epitomise the Blue Mountains’ stunning beauty in NSW.

However, it’s a VERY touristy spot. Buses stop there to drop people by the dozens, that’s why we recommend tackling this first thing in the morning.

There are also a few short lookout walks nearby if you’re up for an early hike!

Then, you can either drive ~5 minutes to Scenic World (your next stop) or take the Giant Stairway to get there.

The Stairway connects Echo Point with Scenic World. This is a ~2-hour hike and it’s quite an experience, as you’ll see the incredible vistas of the area and then walk through the forest.

Scenic World

This famous attraction is another classic Blue Mountains experience. It has cable cars and railways from where you can enjoy the Jamison Valley, including the steepest railway in the world!

A panoramic view of the Blue Mountains from Scenic World in New South Wales, Australia, featuring vast forested valleys, sandstone cliffs, and a bright blue sky
Scenic World highlights Blue Mountains.

1-2 hours might be enough to jump on all the rides. The park opens at 9-10 am depending on the season.

That said, we recommend doing the Buunyal Tour if it’s available for your visit.

This is a 2.5-hour tour with an Aboriginal guide, where they’ll share traditional stories as you walk through the rainforest boardwalk.

They show you everything, it’s great value. Plus, the ticket includes unlimited rides for the day so you can do them at your own pace!

Grab lunch at Katoomba

Fuel up by stopping at any of these spots:

A wooden sign reading "Katoomba Coal Mine 1878" mounted on a rock face with metal support and mesh netting, located in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.
Explore the historic 1878 Katoomba Coal Mine in NSW’s scenic Blue Mountains.
  • Sanwiye ($$), a delicious Korean restaurant. The portions are big and the service is great, epic value for money.

  • Pho Moi ($$), a Vietnamese restaurant that’s perfect if you’re visiting during a cold day. Grab a warm pho and recharge!

  • 8Things Eatery ($$), another gem in Katoomba. The station bar is great, the portions are big, and it’s budget-friendly plus BYO.

  • Cassiopeia Coffee Katoomba ($) has the BEST coffee in town (we’re even buying their beans to brew at home). The place is small so it’s best for takeaway before heading to your next stop!

Afternoon at the Blue Mountains

Your arvo will depend on what you did in the morning! So here are some options:

Option 1: Go for a hike

You can’t say you visited the Blue Mountains if you didn’t do at least one of these hikes! Sorry, we don’t make the rules:

A woman with long hair and a hat sits in a natural infinity pool at Fortress Falls in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, with dramatic sandstone cliffs and lush forest in the background.
The infinity pool at Fortress Falls showcases NSW’s rugged Blue Mountains beauty.
  • Grand Canyon hike. It’s a beautiful loop hike (6.3 km long) that takes you through creeks, waterfalls, and forests, and offers sweeping views of the valley. It’s the most famous hike there and it’s easy to see why!

  • Lockleys Pylon. This 7-km loop hike is easier compared to the Grand Canyon walk. It offers the most impressive views of the Blue Mountains you’ll ever see! Excellent for wildflower spotting in spring, too. It takes around 2-3 hours to finish.

  • Overcliff-Undercliff hike. Doing this hike was one of the best parts of our trip. It’s a 4.3-km loop trail that gives you a taste of everything in the Blue Mountains – from scenic clifftops to lush forests. Plus you’ll see Wentworth Falls too!

  • The secret infinity pool. This hidden gem (literally) is in Leura, the town next to Katoomba. The hike itself is very short (takes around 30 min) but off the beaten track. You’ll go at your own risk, but it’s 100% worth it!

Option 2: Beyond Skyway (Scenic World)

This is the perfect activity for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers.

You’ll climb on top of a cable car, standing +250 metres above the trees of the Jamison Valley! Doing this was hands down one of the highlights of our visit to the Blue Mountains, and we were there for months.

It lasts around 90 minutes in total. That includes the check-in process, the safety briefing, fitting the harnesses, and the experience itself.

Now, it’s not cheap, but it’s worth every single cent. It’s limited to 4 people per booking, which keeps things super exclusive and gives you heaps of space to take in the views without the usual crowd.

Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance because this isn’t one of those “last-minute” activities.

Option 3: Bridal Falls/ Govetts Leap lookout

Just a quick 20-minute drive from Katoomba, the Govetts Leap Lookout gives you front-row seats to one of the Blue Mountains’ most impressive waterfalls – Bridal Falls.

A woman wearing a hat stands on a viewing platform, gazing up at a tall cascading waterfall surrounded by lush greenery in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.
A serene moment at one of the breathtaking waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.

This massive waterfall plummets over 180 metres down a sheer cliff face, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the region. It’s an incredible thing to see, especially after a good rain.

There are a bunch of walking tracks around the area as well, like Grand Canyon and Lockleys Pylon!

Getting to the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are extremely easy to access! There’s even public transport available and tours:

Driving from Sydney

This is the best way to get to the Blue Mountains, as you’ll be able to explore at your own pace.

The drive from Sydney is straightforward – 1.5 to 2 hours depending on where you’re going, through mostly sealed roads.

Once you’re in the area, parking is generally available in most towns and near main attractions like Scenic World and Echo Point.

It can get busy on weekends and holidays, so try to get there early to find a nice spot for the day!

It’s worth renting a car for the day if you don’t have one! Plus there are heaps of car rentals in Sydney, we always compare these two rental companies and pick the one with the best deal: Rental Cars and Discover Cars

Public transport options

Trains run frequently from Sydney’s Central Station to Katoomba, at least once every hour, and the ride takes roughly two hours.

A hiker in a white shirt and hat is seated beneath a natural rock arch surrounded by trees during a hike at Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.
Hiking the rugged rock formations at Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, NSW.

It’s the perfect option if you’re on a budget – trains are very cheap and stop in popular towns like Wentworth Falls, Leura, and of course Katoomba.

Once there you can also take public transport to go to Scenic World, Three Sisters, etc.

The downside is that it limits your flexibility to explore beyond the main towns. You may have to walk a bit too, so factor that in if you want to do a hike during your visit.

Going with a tour

Another option is to join a Blue Mountains tour from Sydney.

Most of them include pick up and drop off, entry fees, and an itinerary covering highlights like the Three Sisters, Scenic World, and a few lookout points. Some even include meals!

This is the best option if you want a good experience without worrying about planning the whole day.

Here are some epic Blue Mountains tours to consider:

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Top Tips

Always check conditions before visiting! The NSW National Parks website is the best place to check that. Use their search bar to find the attraction, hike, etc you want to do and check the conditions before heading there.

Also know that the signage for the hikes isn’t very good, so always stick to the marked trails. Venturing off can be risky due to the cliffs.

Did you know?

The Blue Mountains National Park gets its name from a natural phenomenon.

The eucalyptus trees release fine droplets of oil that mix with water vapour and sunlight. This creates the blueish haze that blankets the valleys and peaks of the region!

Not only is it beautiful, but this haze also keeps the ecosystem balanced by aiding in rainfall and temperature control.

FAQs

What is the best day of the week to visit the Blue Mountains?

The best day to visit the Blue Mountains is mid-week, like Tuesday or Wednesday, when you’ll dodge the weekend crowds. You’ll get easier parking, quieter trails, and shorter waits at popular spots like Scenic World.

The bottom line

So there you have it – the perfect Blue Mountains day trip that’s got a little bit of everything: jaw-dropping views, classic hikes, and even a bit of adrenaline if you’re game!

But regardless of what you do, you’ll have an epic time! The Blue Mountains are the perfect escape from the city grind.

Remember, get there early to beat the crowds, pack for the ever-changing weather, and keep to the trails to stay safe and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

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