The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Blue Mountains
The famous Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia is one of the best day trips from Sydney and honestly, one of the easiest adventures to do with kids in tow. There’s so many things to do in the Blue Mountains that you can easily stretch out the trip to make a long weekend out of the adventure and still have more to do on your next visit.
Just a couple of hours from Sydney’s CBD, you’ll find dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, cute mountain towns and enough fresh air to tire out even the most energetic toddler (a win, honestly).
We’ve visited the Blue Mountains multiple times, both pre-kids and now with little ones and it’s one of those rare destinations that genuinely works for everyone. Whether you’re chasing epic views, easy walks, or somewhere to let the kids roam free, there’s a lot to love here.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in the Blue Mountains, plus practical tips, the best towns to visit, and everything you need to plan a stress-free trip (with or without kids).
Are the Blue Mountains worth visiting?
Short answer: yes, absolutely.
The Blue Mountains is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes from Sydney. Within a couple of hours, you go from city streets to huge valleys, eucalyptus forests and some of the most iconic views in Australia.
If you’re travelling to the Blue Mountains with kids, it’s also surprisingly doable. There are plenty of short walks, easy lookouts, and attractions like Scenic World that make it feel more like an adventure than a “hike”.
If you only have a few days in New South Wales, this is the one day trip from Sydney I’d prioritise.
How to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney
🚆 Train
The train from Sydney to Katoomba takes around 2 hours and is one of the easiest ways to visit the Blue Mountains without a car.
Trains run regularly from Central Station, and you can simply tap on and off using an Opal card.
With kids, the train is actually a great option. No worry about car seats, no parking stress, and plenty of room to move around.
The Blue Mountains also has its own Hop On/Hop Off bus, so once you’re in the area this can also be a fun option to explore the main sights.
🚗 Driving
Driving takes around 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic and gives you the most flexibility to explore smaller towns and lookouts. The drive from Sydney is an easy one, so renting a car might be an option if you’d prefer the convenience of moving at your own pace.
That said, parking in popular spots like Echo Point can be chaotic on weekends, so patience is key if you’re travelling at a peak time. With little kids, I’d definitely still go with the driving option – this way younger kids can nap as you go.
The best things to do in the Blue Mountains
See the Three Sisters
You can’t visit the Blue Mountains without stopping at the Three Sisters. It’s the big-ticket view for a reason.
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, there are tourists. And yes… it’s 100% worth it anyway.
Head to Echo Point for the classic view, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light turns everything that soft pinky-gold colour.
Mum tip: this is an easy win with minimal walking, big payoff. The viewing area is mostly flat and large enough for kids to stretch their legs as you take in the wonderful view.
Visit Scenic World
Arguably the most touristy (and most expensive) thing to do in the Blue Mountains is to check out the various thrills of Scenic World where a cable car, skyway and scenic railway await.
Is Scenic World Worth It?
If you’re visiting with kids — yes, 100%.
Between the steep railway, cable cars and rainforest boardwalks, it feels more like a theme park than a nature stop. There’s often art installations on the boardwalks too which the kids will love. Recently, they’ve had a Gruffalo theme and a Jurassic Park theme for kids to discover.
It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the easiest ways to experience the Blue Mountains without committing to long walks.
Eat an acclaimed pizza from Station Bar + Woodfired Pizza
Boasting the most impressive pizza menu I’ve ever come across, the Station Bar + Woodfired Pizza sits right next to Katoomba Station.
My favourite is the Springwood 371m pizza atop with wild mushrooms and buffalo mozarella, but there’s also some more adventurous toppings like crocodile for the culinary adventurer.
Take in the views from Juliet’s Balcony
To get the full panorama of the Katoomba Falls area, this lookout is perfectly situated along the walk from the falls towards Scenic World.
From this vantage point, the Falls, the Three Sisters and part of Mount Solitary are in view as well as seeing the Scenic World Skyway cruise along its cable in midair.
Marvel at Katoomba Falls
This towering waterfall really roars after heavy rainfall and is a beautiful stop on your walk between Echo Point and Scenic World.
The Katoomba Falls is the region’s most famous waterfall and the surrounding Katoomba Falls Walk is one of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains year round.
The round walk past the falls will take around an hour and is 2km in length, so it is a great moderate walk to undertake for those not keen on a more challenging hike.
Visit Evans Lookout and the Grand Canyon Walk
Check out the Grose River Valley from on high with the beautiful green view from Evans Lookout and use this spot as a starting point for the Grand Canyon bushwalk or wander around to Govetts Leap.
The Grand Canyon Walk is the Blue Mountains’ premier day tramp – a 6km loop around the cliffs and waterfalls of the area.
Watch the sunrise at Govetts Leap
Brave the cold mornings of winter to see one of the world’s best sunrises.
Govetts Leap Lookout is the perfect vantage point to see the first light of day hit the mountains, bathing it in violent orange before reducing back to a more subdued rose and gold. It’s truly a sight to be seen.
Walk from Leura Cascades to Bridal Veil Falls Lookout
The Blue Mountains are full of wonderful nature walks and one of my favourites is the walk from the Leura Cascades up to the cliff top waterfall view at the Bridal Veil Falls Lookout.
At 180m, these falls are the highest of the Blue Mountains’ many waterfalls and coupled with the gentle flow of the Leura cascades this walk is a fantastic, easy walk for those wanting to experience the natural beauty of the area.
For a longer walk, continue all the way around to Echo Point.
Check out the view from Sublime Point
Sublime Point is an easy lookout to access in the Blue Mountains with vertigo-inducing views a mere matter of metres from the carpark.
Mount Solitary is on full display here as well as the back of the Three Sisters. If you’re lucky, you might also spot some adventurous rock climbers tackling the cliff faces.
Ascend to the highest vantage point at Hassans Walls
At 1,100m above sea level, this epic view is the highest viewing spot in all the Blue Mountains.
Take in the panoramic views of the Hartley Valley with its lush green paddocks and see to the mountains beyond. Hassans Walls can be accessed from Lithgow via a dirt road up the mountain.
My 1998 Ford Laser made it though, so in good weather any car can make it up there.
Take a walk on the Bowtells Swing Bridge
Part of the 3-day Six Foot Track walk, this one-person-at-a-time suspension bridge is perfect for thrill seekers.
Swinging over the Cox’s River and only accessible on foot, this Instagram-worthy spot will give you the perfect bridge photo!
Stop in at the Eco Lodge for a beer afterwards or take a picnic to the river.
Explore the area’s colonial past in Historic Hartley Village
Pay a visit to the 1830’s in Hartley Village where you can wander amongst colonial buildings and take in views of rolling green hills.
Take a walk up to the Tor (the boulders atop the hill at the back of the village) and survey the whole area from on high.
Discover the breathtaking Wentworth Falls
The obvious thing to do when in Wentworth Falls is of course to make the trek to the waterfall.
The Darwin walk is a fairly straightforward tramp along a babbling brook all the way to the sheer cliff face that the falls drop off.
Take in a sunset at Lincoln’s Rock
Otherwise known as Flat Rock, this spot near Wentworth Falls is a perfect sunset viewing point that avoids the flocks of tourists that head to Echo Point.
Located off a dirt road at the end of Little Switzerland Drive, and provides epic views of the Jamison Valley and the Kings Tableland.
It’s west-facing, so the sun sets right in front of you and throws some gorgeous colours across the land.
Note: Lincoln’s Rock is temporarily closed as of 2026 due to safety concerns, so please avoid travelling there until it has re-opened and the site is safe.
Explore the Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves are remarkable to visit in any capacity, but for a real treat there are adventure cave tours that take you abseiling, squeezing and crawling through the lesser known cavities in the area.
The Plughole tour is perfect for beginners and though it’s a tight squeeze at points, I never felt unsafe or claustrophobic. It was the best fun I’ve had in a long time and the perfect caving experience.
If adventure caving sounds a little too much, don’t be worried. The standard Jenolan Cave tours are all in caves big enough to comfortably walk through.
Tackle part of the Six Foot Track
The epic three day hike from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves is a daunting notion. But from the Jenolan Caves, you can always try your hand at the first section of the Six Foot Track (and if you take the Jenolan Caves to Katoomba direction it is more downhill!).
If three days of trekking doesn’t appeal, then I suggest being a little adventurous and trying your hand at four wheel driving a portion of the bumpy track down to Cox’s River campground. It will be bouncy and rough, but a heap of fun!
Unique and hidden gems in the Blue Mountains
Once you’ve ticked off the big sights (hello, Three Sisters), there’s a whole other side to the Blue Mountains that most visitors miss.
These are the quieter spots, the slightly quirky finds, and the places that feel a little bit more special especially if you’re trying to escape the crowds or keep things interesting for kids (because let’s be honest, there’s only so many lookouts before someone asks for snacks).
Find the Mermaid’s Cave
This one feels like a proper little hidden world.
Tucked just off the road, the Mermaid’s Cave is a cool, mossy sandstone grotto with a tiny waterfall trickling into it. It’s peaceful, a bit magical, and often completely empty which feels rare in the Blue Mountains.
With kids: this is such a fun “secret spot” moment. Tell them you’re going cave hunting and suddenly everyone’s very invested. It’s definitely not pram friendly, so babies will need to be in a carrier to see this little grotto.
Cool Off at the Pool of Siloam
Hidden away near Leura, this peaceful little spot feels miles away from everything.
A short walk takes you to a small waterfall and shallow pool surrounded by lush greenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down for a minute (or at least until someone throws a rock in the water). There’s steps to descend and stepping stones to cross the river, so this one is best for older kids. I wouldn’t take my three year old down here, because we’d be conducting a water rescue within 5 minutes.
Perfect for: a quiet reset after busier stops.
Visit Minnehaha Falls
This is one of those places where you’ll wonder why it isn’t packed.
Minnehaha Falls has a beautiful swimming hole at the base and feels far more secluded than many of the main waterfalls in the area.
With kids: the walk down is a bit steep, so better for older kids or younger ones if you’re committed (and carrying snacks… and possibly a child on the way back up).
Wander the Katoomba Street Art Walk
A quick but fun detour just off the main street in Katoomba.
This colourful laneway is filled with murals and graffiti art and makes a nice change from bushwalks and lookouts.
Mum tip: turn it into a mini game of “who can find the coolest mural?” and you’ve bought yourself at least 10 minutes of enthusiasm.
Spot the Face at Witches Leap
A slightly quirky stop along the walking track between Echo Point and Scenic World.
If you look closely at the rock face behind the waterfall, you’ll spot what looks like a witch’s face staring out.
With kids: this one’s fun because it gives them a mission — spotting it becomes the whole point.
Visiting the Blue Mountains with kids
The Blue Mountains is one of the most surprisingly family-friendly destinations near Sydney.
We’ve done it with young kids, and while you won’t be tackling hardcore hikes, there are still plenty of ways to explore without anyone melting down.
Best kid-friendly activities:
- Scenic World (the hands down highlight for kids)
- Easy walks like Leura Cascades
- Picnics with a view (Echo Point or Wentworth Falls)
- Spotting wildlife and waterfalls
Mum tip: a lot of the best lookouts are right next to car parks, which means maximum view, minimal effort (we love to see it).
Pram-friendly options:
- Leura Cascades paths (partially)
- Echo Point lookout
- Scenic World boardwalk
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