Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney: Three Sisters & Bushwalks

The Blue Mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness plateau 80km west of Sydney — is the city's most spectacular natural escape. Eucalyptus oil from billions of gum trees gives the valleys their famous azure haze. The dramatic sandstone escarpments, deep gorges, Aboriginal heritage sites and excellent bushwalks make this the essential Sydney day trip.

Getting There

Train: Direct trains from Sydney Central to Katoomba (2 hours, $8.40 each way on an Opal card). Trains every 30-60 minutes. Most visitors get off at Katoomba.

The Three Sisters

The most famous formation in the Blue Mountains — three sandstone pinnacles on the Echo Point escarpment, overlooking the Jamison Valley. Aboriginal Dreamtime stories explain their formation. The viewing platform at Echo Point is a 10-minute walk from Katoomba station.

Best Walks

• Giant Stairway (Katoomba) — 900 steps down into the valley to the base of the Three Sisters. Steep, rewarding. Return via Scenic Railway (the world's steepest passenger railway, 52° incline).
• Prince Henry Cliff Walk (8km, easy) — cliff-top walk from Katoomba to Leura with valley views the entire way.
• Wentworth Falls Track — to the base of 187m Wentworth Falls. Spectacular.