Katoomba area

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

• Accessible parking at Conservation Hut See on map
• Accessible parking at 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
• Accessible parking at Valley of the Waters lookout See on map
• Accessible parking at 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.

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.

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

• Ingar campground
• Kedumba River Crossing campground

Cafe/kiosk

• Conservation Hut
• Federal Pass
• Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk
• Grand Cliff Top Walk
• Wentworth Falls to Leura walk

Drinking water Show more

• Conservation Hut
• Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters)
• Furber Steps walk
• Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk
• Grand Cliff Top Walk
• Wentworth Falls picnic area
• Wentworth Falls to Leura walk

• Katoomba area factsheet
• Katoomba area map (9.4MB pdf)