People usually visit Australia to experience scenic drives, beaches, stunning landscapes, and kangaroos. While staying a couple of days in a huge city like Sydney, a bit of you might still crave a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park is only a 2 hours train journey from Sydney. It offers a fascinating view of Three Sisters, amazing hiking trails, waterfalls, canyons, valleys, and endless adventure attractions.
Multiple tour companies offer day trips to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, one of Sydney’s most popular day trip locations. I opted in for a guided tour, and it took us about 90 minutes from my Hyde Park hotel to get to Leura and Katoomba, the gateway to the Blue Mountains. A tourist staying overnight prefers staying in one of these two neighboring towns, especially Katoomba, for convenience.
On my way to the mountain, I was able to sit back and relax on the bus and enjoy exciting stories from the tour guide, listen to music, and enjoy the beautiful view through the window.
I have met a few tourists on the bus visiting from many different parts of the world.
Map of Our Major Stopovers
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Our 1st Stop at Emu Plains
We stopped at Regatta Park in Emu Plains right by the Nepean River, located about 58 km west of the Sydney central business district. It is not as popular as other cities, but it’s beautiful. We stopped there for breakfast.
2nd Stop – Wentworth Falls Tracks Lookout
On the way to the Blue Mountains, we stopped at Wentworth Falls and lookouts area. Adjacent to the parking lot, I checked out the Lookout before heading towards the popular Wentworth falls and magnificent Jamison Valley. This is well worth taking a short but steep hike through the bushes to view the water of Wentworth Falls plunging 100m to the valley floor.
Arriving at the Blue Mountains
The famous blue haze over Blue mountains created from oils released by the eucalypts forests. After which the mountains are named. The tour guide recommends visiting the place very early to view the sunrise, listen to all the birds awake, and watch the changes in colors as the sun makes it way up. There were some nice walks around the mountains too. Often you will find indigenous performers in the area.
Next Stop – Scenic World
A Short ride from Wentworth Falls, we arrived at the Scenic World, where we were dropped off from the bus to explore scenic railway, scenic skyway, and scenic cableway.
Scenic Railway
To explore the picturesque rainforest and the Katoomba coal mine’s remains, we need to take the scenic railway. The thrilling incline of 52 degrees through the rainforest is an exciting experience.
Scenic Skyway
From the Scenic World take the cable car from the west to the east skyway station next to Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Cliff View Lookout. The ride is picturesque crossing over the wilderness deep down below and the Kedumba River. The Panoramic views of Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Jamsion Valley and Mt Solitary from the cable car is breathtaking. The 720 metre journey suuspended 270 metres above the valley and rain forest is out of the world.
Visit Echo Point
If you like to take a closer took at the Three Sisters, then Echo Point lookout is the best outlooks in the Blue Mountains. It is located on the rugged edge of magnificent Jamison Valley surrounded by hiking trails and fabulous lookouts; some are adjacent to the car park.
Visit Lincoln’s Rock Lookout
This is one of the lookouts where locals come for their wedding day photos taken here, so it is also well known as Wedding Rock and also Honeymoon Rock. From there, you will be able to view the ever-changing colorful view of Jamison Valley.
Next Stop – Leura Village
Leura is renowned for stunning bush-walks, small-town village appeal, tree-lined streets, nineteenth-century cottages, and gorgeous cold climate gardens. The annual Leura Garden Festival is a key Blue Mountains calendar event.
Finally – Parramatta ferry to Circular Quay
Our journey’s final leg was taking a ferry from Parramatta (Sydney Olympic Park wharf) to Circular Quay (CBD). The scenic cruise gave us a different experience than what we enjoyed in the Blue Mountains. From a different perspective, we enjoyed Sydney skyline, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Walsh Bay, Luna Park, and beautiful Goat Island. There were a couple of stops on the way, such as Barangaroo (Darling Harbor) and Cockatoo island pier and a few more.
For those staying overnight in The Blue Mountains
Metropole Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Metropole Katoomba is a budget hotel that is located close to the city’s major shopping center and tourist attractions. The hotel price is affordable. There are many spots in this property that guests can choose to sit back and relax.
Echo Point Motor Inn, Blue Mountains
This hotel is located only a few minutes walking distances from the three sisters lookout, an easy walk to Scenic World, some restaurants, and Katoomba shops. There is a nice bar in the hotel, inside the reception where breakfast is served. The Tram Bus and the Hop-On Hop-Off bus stops just outside the motor inn. That offers easy access to other remote attractions.
My Opinion and Last Word
Have you been to Blue Mountains? Any cool tips to share?
I loved being to this country down under and want to go back again. Hope my story has motivated you to visit Australia.
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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