Katoomba area
Blue Mountains National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Katoomba area.
Getting there and parking
To get to the Katoomba area of Blue Mountains National Park:
From Sydney:
- Head west on the M4 and Great Western Highway towards the Blue Mountains
- Katoomba is around 1.5-2 hours drive from Sydney and Wentworth Falls is around 1.5 hours drive from Sydney
From Lithgow:
- Follow the Great Western Highway east toward Sydney
- Katoomba is around 40km, and Wentworth Falls is around 47km
Parking Show more
- Conservation Hut See on map
- Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters) See on map
- Gordon Falls picnic area See on map
- Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk See on map
- Grand Cliff Top Walk See on map
- Ingar campground See on map
- Mount Solitary walking track See on map
- Sublime Point lookout - Leura See on map
- Valley of the Waters lookout See on map
- Wentworth Falls picnic area See on map
By bike
Visit Transport for NSW for cycling and bike transport information.
By public transport
- Regular daily trains run from Sydney Central Station to Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls. The trip takes around 2 hours. Plan your trip on the Transport for NSW website.
- Visit the Blue Mountains transit website for local bus timetables and maps.
Best times to visit
The Katoomba area is a great place to visit at any time of year. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Cooler temperatures and clear skies make autumn perfect for a bushwalking or camping getaway. Well-prepared hikers can tackle the 3-day Six Foot track between Katoomba and Jenolan Caves, or Mount Solitary walking track. Keep an eye out for vibrant red, orange and yellow fungus that blooms around Leura Cascades at this time of year. If you’re lucky you might see a male lyrebird putting on a show to attract females.
Spring
From early spring into summer, wildflowers blossom across the heath and forested trails, attracting birds (and birdwatchers). Spot yellow wattles, rich red waratahs, pink boronias, and blue native iris flowers. Why not get off the beaten track and see another side of the Blue Mountains with a bike ride or 4WD to McMahons Point. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Lake Burragorang and the wilderness beyond. A night under the stars at Ingar campground, accessible only by bike or foot, is well worth the effort.
Summer
Enjoy a scenic picnic serenaded by bellbirds at Valley of the Waters picnic area, or set the kids loose in the playground at the council-run Gordon Falls picnic area. On a hot summer day Lyrebird Dell is a great option, taking you into a cool rainforest gully to the beautiful Pool of Siloam and a fascinating Aboriginal shelter. This is also the best (and safest) time to join an introductory canyoning, abseiling or rock climbing tour.
Winter
On a misty winter morning, Mount Solitary rising above the fog is a magnificent sight. Set out on a heart-pumping hike, trail run or mountain bike ride. The steep descents and challenging climbs from Furber Steps or the Giant Stairway, or bike ride along Andersons trail, will soon warm you up. Indulge in a hot chocolate or hearty lunch at Conservation Hut after exploring the tracks and lookouts around Wentworth Falls.
Facilities
Toilets Show more
- Conservation Hut
- Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters)
- Federal Pass
- Furber Steps walk
- Gordon Falls picnic area
- Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk
- Grand Cliff Top Walk
- Ingar campground
- Kedumba River Crossing campground
- Mount Solitary walking track
- Three Sisters walk
- Valley of the Waters lookout
- Wentworth Falls picnic area
- Wentworth Falls to Leura walk
Picnic tables Show more
- Federal Pass
- Furber Steps walk
- Gordon Falls picnic area
- Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk
- Grand Cliff Top Walk
- Ingar campground
- Kedumba River Crossing campground
- Leura Cascades picnic area
- Mount Solitary walking track
- Sublime Point lookout - Leura
- Three Sisters walk
- Valley of the Waters lookout
- Wentworth Falls picnic area
- Wentworth Falls to Leura walk
Barbecue facilities
Cafe/kiosk
- Conservation Hut
- Federal Pass
- Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk
- Grand Cliff Top Walk
- Wentworth Falls to Leura walk
Drinking water Show more
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Contact
- in Blue Mountains National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Katoomba area is always open but some locations may close at times due to maintenance, poor weather or fire danger.
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Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and Blackheath office
02 4787 8877
Contact hours: 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. - 270 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath NSW 2785
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Email: bluemountains.heritagecentre@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and Blackheath office
Nearby towns
Wentworth Falls (2 km)
Wentworth Falls is a historic town in the Blue Mountains. It's a good base to explore this World Heritage-listed area on foot.
Katoomba (3 km)
Katoomba is at the heart of most of the stunning natural attractions that make up the Blue Mountains National Park. You can admire deep valleys, sandstone plateaus, waterfalls and native animals from the many walking trails and lookouts near Katoomba.
Sydney City Centre (105 km)
No trip to Sydney is complete without spending some time in the city’s beautiful parks. Whether it’s in central areas like Hyde Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens or further out in Centennial Parklands, there’s plenty of green space to go out and enjoy.