A stunning National Park and an absolute must-visit while in Australia, the Blue Mountains offers mesmerising natural landscapes just a short distance out of the bright lights of Sydney. Mountains and sandstone gorges carpeted in eucalyptus give the area the blueish hue its name lives up to, and to fully explore the Blue Mountains, you’ll need a full day to fully appreciate its highlights. Choose to either take a tour of the Blue Mountains, which will cover many of the best sights and attractions in the area with minimum hassle, or take your pick of our favourite activities and things to do in the Blue Mountains below.
Take in the views of the Three Sisters
Perhaps one of the most iconic sights in the Blue Mountains, the Three Sisters is a cluster of three rock towers, standing proudly at 3000m above sea level, surrounded by dramatic mountains and valleys. If you’re wondering what to do in the Blue Mountains, this should be one of the first places you should visit. From Echo Point, take the short walk along the Three Sisters Track to see incredible views of the Three Sisters and the surrounding scenery. Descend the Giant Stairway (be aware that this is a steep set of stairs), down into a canyon to reach the viewpoint and see the famous rocks up close.
Ride the world’s steepest scenic railway at Scenic World
Scenic World is one of the most popular Blue Mountains attractions due to the number of exciting ways you can take in the spectacular vistas of the area. Follow the walkways to walk above the canopies of the eucalyptus forests, or gently glide through the air on the aerial cable car or across the valleys on the skyway. The piece de resistance however has to be its railway, the steepest incline railway in the world; ride on a 52-degree incline through the Jamison Valley and the surrounding rainforest.
Explore the mountain village of Leura
Leura is home to many of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains, and is a pretty village set in the heart of the mountains. After walking through the world-renowned Everglade Gardens and the fascinating Toy and Railway Museum, wander through Leura Mall and enjoy its variety of coffee shops, restaurants and boutique stores.
Leura is also the starting point for several walks to a whole host of beauty spots, such as the Gordon Falls Reserve, where from the lookout you can view the Olympian Rock and the Jamison Valley. Alternatively, follow Cliff Drive to discover the pretty spot of Leura Cascades – from here you can enjoy short walks to several stunning waterfalls.
Discover traditional culture at the Waradah Australian Centre
The Waradah Australian Centre is found in Katoomba, the main hub of the Blue Mountains, and offers a lively celebration of traditional Aboriginal arts and culture. Daily dance and didgeridoo performances showcase centuries-old traditions, while discussions and talks educate visitors on the Aboriginal culture that lives on today. Regular live performances in the theatre also not only cover Aboriginal history, but also Australia’s Bush Ranger, Gold Rush and ANZAC history. After admiring authentic Aboriginal artworks in the contemporary gallery, you’ll be able to purchase your own to take home, as well as other souvenirs, such as hand-painted didgeridoos.
Image by 123_456 via Flickr
Wander through the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah is the world’s only botanic garden set within a World Heritage Site, and wandering through its beautifully landscaped gardens is one of our favourite Blue Mountains activities. Marvel at the pretty rock garden, formal garden and the Plant Explorers Walk, which passes over 400 Asian plant species, before walking amongst forests of towering conifers, brown barrel eucalypts and woodland trees from all around the world.
Discover all the Blue Mountains and Australia have to offer
With so many wonderful sights and amazing activities in the Blue Mountains on offer, the Blue Mountains are an absolute must while visiting Australia. If the Blue Mountains are just one reason you’d like to visit Australia (and believe us there are several), you can see them in all their glory along with a whole host of incredible highlights all over Australia with our collection of escorted Australia tours. As well as the Blue Mountains and Sydney, we also cover some truly incredible places such as the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers’ Rock in our trips of a lifetime.
If you’re after even more inspiration for how to spend your time in the Sydney region, check out our guide to 5 of the best attractions in Sydney and find out how best to spend your time in this lively and cosmopolitan city.
