Three Sisters, Blue Mountains (NSW): 5 Things To Do + How To Escape The Crowds!

The Three Sisters is arguably the most popular attraction in the whole Blue Mountains region.

And no wonder why – it’s one of Australia’s most famous natural landmarks! It’s in Katoomba, just a couple of hours west of Sydney.

You’ll see this incredible rock formation from Echo Point Lookout, or you can get closer via the Three Sisters Walk.

The entry to the lookout and its surroundings is free and it’s very accessible, too. There’s public transport, tours, bathrooms, and ample parking (paid).

But this also means that this place gets CROWDED.

We’re talking loads of people being dropped off! It has that vibe of like hounds and hounds of tourists.

However, it’s still worth visiting even with all the crowds. Plus, there’s also plenty to do nearby, like hiking trails, which a fraction of the visitors do.

So you can escape the crowds while enjoying the Three Sisters!

In this guide we’ll give you all the details on what to do, how to get there, the best times to visit to avoid crowds, and more.

5 Things to do in Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park

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

1) The Echo Point Lookout

The Echo Point Lookout is from where you’ll see the Three Sisters, plus sweeping views of the dramatic Jamison Valley!

It’s also one of the most crowded places in the area, so if you’re visiting during holidays or weekends, be patient – the views are worth it.

There’s plenty of parking (paid), but you can also get there by public transport or even walking – it’s a 30-minute walk from Katoomba train station.

The lookout and the surroundings are wheelchair-friendly too, so you can bring the whole family without problems.

There’s also a visitor centre, toilets, and a cafe nearby, making it a super convenient spot to kick off your visit to the Blue Mountains.

2) Do the Three Sisters Walk

If you’re keen to get up close to the Three Sisters, this hike is your best bet!

It’s a short and easy trail that starts at Echo Point and takes you along a well-maintained path, leading to the Sisters.

The walk is about 1 km return, so it’s perfect if you’re short on time or energy. It’s also a fairly flat path, making it suitable for most fitness levels.

You can’t climb the Three Sisters themselves because they’re protected, due to the cultural significance to the Traditional Owners, the Gundungurra people.

3) Take the Giant Stairway

This stairway has almost 1,000 steps carved into the cliffside, descending down into the lush Jamison Valley!

It’s almost like a rite of passage to climb this, so definitely try it out if your knees are up for it. Allow around an hour to tackle the stairs if you’re taking your time to enjoy the views along the way.

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You could also go to Scenic World via the Giant Stairway. It’s a 4.7 km hike (one way), so allow for 2-3 hours to do it. Bring plenty of water and do not do it in summer (the heat is no joke).

This hike is a great way to check out the Stairway without having to make your way up again! Once you arrive at Scenic World, you ride the railway back up.

4) Hike the Prince Henry Cliff Walk

If you want a hike that’s more forgiving than the stairway, do this one!

It’s a stunning trail that stretches 7-8 km along the edge of the escarpment, connecting Katoomba and Leura via Echo Point and Gordon Falls.

It takes you through forested paths, lookout points, and waterfalls. There are still some stairs, but not as much as the Giant Stairway.

It’s fairly flat, and the paths are well-maintained, making it a good choice for families or anyone looking for a more relaxed adventure.

Plus you don’t have to do the whole thing if you don’t want to! There are several access points throughout the way, so you can make it shorter.

5) Check out these awesome attractions nearby

There’s plenty more to see around the Three Sisters! Here are some ideas:

• Scenic World, just a short drive from Echo Point. It has different cablecars (including the steepest one in the Southern Hemisphere), plus other tours, a café, etc.

• Explore Leura, a charming village next to Katoomba. It’s a great spot for lunch or a bit of shopping. The main street is lined with cafes, gift shops, and even a chocolate store.

• Wentworth Falls, about a 15-minute drive from Echo Point. It’s one of the most stunning waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, with several walking tracks offering views from different angles.

How to escape the crowds in Three Sisters?

Generally speaking, you could escape the crowds if you visit mid-week (except during public holidays).

Summer and Winter are the “low” seasons, so if you visit mid-week during those times is highly likely that you won’t encounter big crowds.

However, the weather won’t be as pleasant! There’s also a risk of fire bans in summer. Winter also has its issues, it can get uncomfortably cold.

The peak season there is Spring (September to November), followed by Autumn. If you visit during that time, it will be hard to escape crowds regardless of which day you visit.

You can try to head there early in the morning to improve your chances!

But honestly, it’s worth checking the place out even with all the crowds. Just make sure that’s not the only thing you do in the Blue Mountains – there’s SO much more!

Here are our favourite things to do in the Blue Mountains if you need some ideas!

How to get to Three Sisters?

Getting to the Three Sisters is pretty straightforward.

If you’re driving, it’s about a two-hour drive from Sydney via the M4 Motorway and Great Western Highway.

The roads are sealed and easy to navigate. Parking in Katoomba can be a bit tricky on busy weekends, but there’s paid parking available at Echo Point itself.

If you’re travelling by train, you can catch a direct service from Sydney’s Central Station to Katoomba.

The journey takes around two hours, and the stunning views along the way are a nice little preview of what’s to come.

How were the Three Sisters created?

It depends on who you ask!

The Three Sisters are deeply significant to the Gundungurra and Darug people, the traditional custodians of the Blue Mountains.

We want to share their perspective on how they were created, before talking about the scientific one:

Aboriginal Dream Time legend

According to an aboriginal legend, the towering rock formations represent three sisters – Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo.

Two legends explain why they were turned into stone:

The first one is that the three sisters were in love with three brothers of a different tribe, which was prohibited under tribal law.

So the brothers decided to capture the daughters to marry them, leading to a major tribal battle. To protect the sisters, a witch doctor used his magic to transform them into stone.

However, he was killed before he could reverse the spell, leaving these beautiful young ladies forever as part of the rocky wall of the valley.

The second one is that these women were actually the three daughters of the witch doctor, who was named Tyawan.

He turned them into stone to protect them from a Bunyip (an evil creature that was a blend between a bird and an alligator).

Then, the Bunyip tried to attack Tyawan, who turned into a lyrebird to escape, but lost his magic bone in the process, unable to turn himself or his daughters back to human form.

Geological formation

From a scientific perspective, the Three Sisters rock formation is a result of millions of years of erosion.

Around 250 million years ago, the region was submerged under a shallow sea.

Over time, rivers deposited layers of sand, silt, and clay onto the seafloor, which eventually compacted into rock beds, sandstones, etc.

Millions of years later, volcanic activity caused eruptions through these sedimentary layers, contributing to the formation of ridges and the distinctive shapes seen today, including the Three Sisters!

And as the landmass was uplifted and the sea receded, the exposed sandstone plateau underwent significant erosion.

Wind, rain, and rivers gradually wore away the softer rock, carving out deep valleys and leaving behind resilient sandstone formations.

The Three Sisters are among these remnants, standing prominently above the Jamison Valley.

Top Tips

Always check the NSW National Parks website before you go to the Three Sisters, or any other spot in the Blue Mountains!

Depending on the time of year, there may be alerts for things like fire bans, track closures, or extreme weather conditions.

These updates can save you from unexpected surprises and help you plan your visit safely. Check the alerts here.

Also, make sure to pack layers, even if it’s warm when you leave Sydney. The weather in the mountains is very different from the city and can change fast.

Did you know?

Each of the Three Sisters has a distinct height! Meehni stands at 922 meters, Wimlah at 918 meters, and Gunnedoo at 906 meters above sea level.

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