A Sydney to Blue Mountains Day Trip guide: unveiling Australia’s most beautiful spots

If you are planning a trip to Australia’s East Coast, we highly recommend doing a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip. It’s perfect if you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Plus you get the chance to see some of the natural beauty Australia is famed for.

In this guide we go through absolutely everything you need to know including, how to get to the Blue Mountains, what to do on your Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney, and much more.

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Some Background

Before we start our Blue Mountains itinerary here is a little bit of background on both Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

SYDNEY

A lot of people mistake Sydney for being the capital of Australia, which is incorrect. It is one of the biggest cities in Australia, and the capital of New South Wales however.

Sydney is home to over 5 million people, and is a cultural melting pot with over 250 languages being spoken in the city.

Sydney is famous for it’s New Years fireworks display, as it is one of the first places to ring in the New Year. It’s also known for its beaches, laid back lifestyle, and a pretty famous bridge and opera house!

Wondering is Sydney worth visiting? Here is a handy guide.

BLUE MOUNTAINS

Located 60km west of Sydney and known for it’s dramatic landscapes, historic villages, and bushland, is the region known as the Blue Mountains. It’s the perfect spot to go if you are trying to get away from the chaos of the city.

In fact a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney is a must particularly if you want to explore some of the rugged natural beauty of Australia.

There is over 140 kms of track, meaning that you can do some pretty spectacular hikes. There are also 400 species of animal living in the region, and yes before you ask this does include snakes. Although spotting one is pretty rare.

You might also be wondering why they are called the Blue Mountains. Australia has this habit of naming things after what people think they look like. For example the Glasshouse Mountains in Queenslands Sunshine Coast are a prime example.

The Blue Mountains essentially got their name, because there is a very distinctive blue haze that surrounds them. And that haze is caused by the Eucalyptus trees. It’s something to do with the oil in the trees which gives off a blue colouring when it dissipates into the air.

Of course I also think it is important to mention that the area around the Blue Mountains was referred to as Colomatta by the local Aboriginal people.

How to do a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney?

There are several options for getting from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, and it all depends on what you want to do when you get there. We are going to go through each option, along with the pros and cons. The three main options are:

• renting a car
• using public transport
• going via an organised tour

Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip by car

It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. This is a relatively straight forward drive, and you will spend most of it on the motorway.

To avoid a lot of the traffic you should drive to the Blue Mountains as early as possible. You should also plan your drive back to Sydney before rush hour traffic.

PROS

• You can do things at your own pace
• If you want to stay longer you can
• You see exactly what you want to see
• You don’t have to deal with those people who are always late back to the bus on tours!

CONS

• Parking can be a pain
• Car rentals can be expensive
• It can be frustrating if you aren’t used to driving on the left hand side of the road
• Whilst the roads are decent, they can be winding in parts
• It’s easy to be overwhelmed with so much to see and do
• Traffic can be a nightmare particularly on the weekend
• You can get stuck in pretty bad traffic driving back into Sydney in the evening.

Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip by public transport

If you are wanting to use public transport on your Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip, then the train will be your best option. You can get a train from Sydney Central Staton, and this will take you approximately 2 hours to reach the Blue Mountains.

The train trip is pretty standard, until you reach the lower mountains where you do get some pretty amazing views. You will need to get off at Katoomba Station and from here there a few transport options to get around the Blue Mountains.

One option is the Hop On Hop Off Bus. There are a few different ticket options, but if you book online in advance you can get some good deals.

There are also much cheaper public transport options but you do need to be a bit more organised with this and work out which bus will take you where.

PROS

• Do things at your own pace
• Relax on the train and avoid the rush hour traffic
• See the sights you want to see
• Listen to the guided commentary on the hop on hop off bus.

CONS

• You will need to wait around for buses/ transport
• You need to plan your itinerary and stops in advance
• Not as comfortable as driving yourself
• It’s a bit more effort than a guided tour.

Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip by organised tour

There are several options for organised tours to create the perfect Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney. Depending on what you go for you can do hikes, sunset tours, visit Scenic World, and much more.

These tours usually collect you from your hotel in Sydney, in a small minivan, and take you to a number of spots around the Blue Mountains. You also have the option to get the ferry back to Sydney so that you avoid the peak hour traffic.

PROS

• Hotel pickup
• Knowledgable guide
• You get taken to the most scenic spots
• You can just sit back and relax
• Comfortable air conditioned coach.

CONS

• Tours can be expensive
• You have limited time in each place you visit
• You have the spend the day with other people on your tour

Best option for a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney

If you are wondering what the best option for a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip is, we highly recommend an organised tour. Yes it is slightly more expensive than using public transport, but you can sit back, relax, and let someone take you around. The guides are also really knowledgable, and they do this tour almost every day, so they know the good spots to get photos, and how to get you through Scenic World quickly!

Things to do as part of your Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney

There is so much to see and do when you visit the Blue Mountains. Here are some of the highlights that you may want to consider before visiting. If you like the sound of any of this and you are wanting to do an organised tour there are a lot of different tour options so hopefully you will find one perfect for you.

The Three Sisters

One of the most famous rock formations in the Blue Mountains are the Three Sisters. There is a fantastic viewing point at Echo Point where you can snap some really good photos. Although it does get pretty crowded especially in the afternoons, as this is one of the main stops on a lot of Sydney to Blue Mountains day trips.

The reason for the name, is because according to a Dreamtime legend, the rocks represent three sisters who were turned into stone. There are a few stories as to the reason this happened, one of which is to do with the sisters falling in love with three brothers in a neighbouring tribe. As this was forbidden under tribal law, a war broke out and the sisters were turned to stone for their own safety.

Cahill’s Lookout

Cahill’s Lookout in Katoomba, is a popular sunset spot in the Blue Mountains. It overlooks the Megalong Valley is not only a great lookout spot, but a much quieter one where you can avoid the crowds.

There is a paved path that leads you to the lookout, and this is about 500 metres long. It’s a relatively easy path to walk, although it isn’t shaded, so make sure you have a hat and suncream to protect you from the sun.

Wentworth Falls

One of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the Blue Mountains has to be Wentworth Falls. If you are getting a train from Sydney you can get off at Wentworth Falls Station. From here there is a path called Darwins walk, which is a pretty easy walk. Or at least easy for the Blue Mountains. The walk takes about 2 hours, and will get you right to the falls. You can swim at the falls, and there are also some food options.

If you prefer the guided tour route there are tours that specifically take you to the falls like the ones below.

Scenic World

One of the highlights when doing a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip is visiting Scenic World. It’s essentially a man made attraction that includes a scenic railway, skyway, and cableway, that help you see more of the natural beauty in the area.

It’s is a very popular attraction, particularly on weekends, and school holidays, so our best advice is to get in early. It’s also worth booking your ticket in advance.

If you do an organised tour they get you on the rides pretty quickly, which is great when you are only doing a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip.

As mentioned above there are three main attractions and we will go into a bit of detail on each one below.

SCENIC SKYWAY

The Skyway is your opportunity to essentially glide between two cliffs, and see the Blue Mountains like you have never seen them before.

The Skyway is suspended 270m in the air, and you get the most incredible views of the top of the rainforest. There is a glass floor that you can look through and admire the views. But you can also sit down if it get a bit much.

The highlight is that you get to see Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and the Jamison Valley, depending on which side of the car you stand on.

It takes you 720m across the Jamison Valley, and carries 84 passengers every 10 minutes.

This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I assure the views are incredible. It’s also a very smooth ride, so you don’t feel like you are suspended high in the air.

SCENIC RAILWAY

This was one of my favourites when visiting Scenic World. The Scenic Railway is a one of a kind experience where you ride on a 52° incline for 310 metres, eventually finding yourself on the floor of the Jamison Valley.

Apparently it is also the steepest railway in the world. It was originally designed in the late 19th Century to transport coal from the Katoomba coal mine to the valley floor. But these days it’s a tourist attraction taking you to the bottom of the Jamison Valley where you can explore the forest floor via the Scenic Walkway.

Despite the large incline, the railway doesn’t go fast, so it’s suitable for most passengers.

SCENIC CABLEWAY

The final attraction at Scenic World is the Cableway. The cableway travels 510 metres into the Jamison Valley, for some incredible views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, and Mt Solitary. It’s a slow and gentle ride, and is the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Katoomba Town Centre

Katoomba is a great historical town that you should try and visit Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip. It originated in the 1900s as a mountain resort that was ideal for people from Sydney to come to relax and enjoy a cooler climate.

It’s got a very art deco kind of look, and feels incredibly far removed from the business of Sydney which is only an hour or so drive away.

You don’t get tons of tourists here, but it is worth a visit, and there are some pretty cool bars and restaurants in the area.

Leura Village

Leura is a popular village close to Katoomba. It’s very quaint and small with manicured gardens, quirky shops, and some very relaxed cafes and restaurants. You do get a few tours that stop here at lunch, as their is a decent choice when it comes to food. They also have a very popular and delicious ice cream shop. Or if you want a real Aussie treat, head to a bakery (there is one just further up from the ice cream shop) and grab a Lamington.

Do a Bushwalk

There are so many fantastic places you can visit in the Blue Mountains if you love hiking. The Grand Canyon at Blackheath is a popular hiking trail. It’s around 6.5km long and kind of gives off Jurassic Park vibes, as you walk between the canyons and see the ferns and moss hanging over the rocks.

There are so many walks you can do, but the main thing is that you always check the weather conditions, and route before embarking on a long walk. Make sure you dress appropriately too.

Sample Blue Mountains day trip itinerary

Here is a sample Blue Mountains day trip itinerary. This is based off a tour that we booked, that was really enjoyable. You can book the tour here if you wish. Our guide Scotty was incredible. He was very knowledgeable and had some fantastic stories to share. As part of our tour we got to skip the rush hour traffic and got a ferry back into Circular Quay.

Start your day in the Blue Mountains with a visit to Echo Point to checkout the Three Sisters. There are some great hikes around here that you can do, or you can also explore the town of Katoomba if you have time.

Afterwards head to Scenic World and spend a good few hours enjoying the attractions, and doing the Scenic Walk.

Visit Leura for a late lunch, but on the way we recommend stopping at Cahill’s Lookout to get a fantastic view of the Megalong Valley.

Our tour ended up taking us to Sydney Zoo after this before boarding a ferry back into Circular Quay. If you are doing your own trip though you could add in a trip to Wentworth Falls, before making your way back to Sydney.

Eating and drinking as part of your Blue Mountains itinerary

If you are looking for food and drink to add to your Blue Mountains day trip itinerary, we recommend visiting some of the towns in the area like Katoomba, and Leura.

Katoomba is where you will have more choice with restaurants like Echoes Restaurant & Bar, that serve great food with incredible views. For something a little cheaper you have Basil Nut, that serves some cheap and cheerful Asian street food.

There is also a really cool bar in Katoomba called the Bootlegger Bar. They do American style food, like pulled pork, ribs, and burgers. Our favourite bit though is the whisky tasting you can also do.

Leura is another good choice for food and drink. In fact a lot of organised tours will stop here for lunch. There are som fantastic places to eat for a more relaxed and casual lunch including, Lily’s Pad for some of the best coffee in town, and the Red Door Cafe.

There is also Café Leura which is a modern Australian Cafe Restaurant serving things like burgers, gyros, and much more.

Budgeting for a Blue Mountains day trip itinerary

How much money you spend on your Blue Mountains day trip will of course depend on what you plan to do, and see when you get there. With so many different travel options it’s hard to judge exactly how much it will cost you to plan a full Blue Mountains day trip itinerary.

Instead here are some prices to keep in mind if you do decide to visit.

Best time of the year to plan a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney

If you are trying to decide the best time of year to plan your Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip here are some tips.

The good news is, you can visit the Blue Mountains year round. Summer is a popular time to visit as this coincides with school/Christmas Holidays, so you will see lots of families at this time of year.

Summer is very hot, and a lot warmer than Sydney itself so be prepared. You are looking at temperatures of 29 °C or 84 F during the summer months. That being said it can be a lot warmer. We visited in December and it was about 34°C (93F). This was fine on the floor of the forrest as it is a lot cooler and shadier, but everywhere else it was hot!

Winter is far more mild averaging at about 16°C or 60F. You definitely need to bring a light jacket with you as it is a lot cooler particularly in the forrest floor.

Is a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip enough time?

A Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip does give you a decent amount of time to explore the region. You want to make sure that you leave early in the morning, so that you have a full day to spend at the Blue Mountains.

A day will allow you to see the main sights, get some great photos, and explore a town or two. For a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip you are probably best booking an organised tour to make the most of your time in the area.

If you want to do some hiking, or delve further into the area you probably need at least 2 days here. In which case you can either use public transport, or rent a car.

Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney with kids

If you are planning a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney with kids you are probably best off renting a car and doing the trip on your own terms. This will mean that you get way more time at places like Scenic World, which kids will absolutely love. There are also some really fun family hikes you can do, which are best done at your own pace.

Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney as a couple

If you are planning a Blue Mountains day trip itinerary as part of a couple, then you can either rent a car and arrange your own trip, or you can book a guided tour. If you do decide to go down the route of renting your own car, you should consider spending the night somewhere like Katoomba.

Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney for solo travellers

If you are doing a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney solo, then we highly recommend you do this as part of a guided tour. That way you can spend time with like minded travellers, but you also don’t have to worry about planning an itinerary, or navigating your way through the area.

What to pack for a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney

Here are some must haves for a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney.

• Comfortable and ideally waterproof walking shoes
• Sun protection
• A reusable drink bottle – there are lots of places you can fill up your bottle for free
• Portable phone charger
• A light jacket even in the summer as it can get cool
• Loose fitting clothes to keep cool in summer
• Layers that you can remove particularly in winter months
• A light rain jacket for the winter months.

Tips for planning your Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip

Here are some final tips for planning your Blue Mountains day trip itinerary.

• Plan what you want to see in advance and how you will get there
• If you are booking a tour, book this in advance particularly in summer to avoid missing out
• Wear weather appropriate clothing
• Don’t do a walk alone, or at least tell someone where and when you are going
• Weekdays are much quieter so if you want to avoid the crowds plan accordingly.

Should I do a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip?

If you get the chance to do a Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip you really should take it. A lot of people who visit Sydney only really stick to the city itself. But when you have so much natural beauty so close you need to take advantage of it.

Hopefully this guide has given you some inspiration to plan your own Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip itinerary. And if you found it useful make sure you pin it for later.

If you are still undecided on your travel destination in Australia, here is a guide to Brisbane vs Sydney that you might find useful.

Happy Travels!