Blue Mountains Day Trip From Sydney: One Day Blue Mountains Itinerary
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Local Eucalyptus trees in the Blue Mountains emit tiny oil particles. Those particles, when mixed with tiny bits of dust and water vapor, scatter sun rays making the light appear extra blue in color.
One Day Blue Mountains Itinerary: (Jump To)
While in Sydney we wanted to take a day trip to experience the majestic Blue Mountains. We set our sights on Katoomba, a small town just outside of Blue Mountains National Park.
How To Visit The Blue Mountains From Sydney by Train
From Sydney Central Station we boarded the Blue Mountains Line which dropped us in Katoomba in almost exactly two hours. The fare was AUS$ 6.80 each way. We were able to pay with the same preloaded transit cards (locally called Opal cards) we were already using to get around Sydney. You can also buy traditional tickets at the station. If you travel in peak rush hour, the fare will increase by about AUS$2.
How To Get Around Katoomba and The Blue Mountains
In Katoomba, we used the local bus line to get around. We were also able to use our Opal cards to pay the bus fare. Everything in Katoomba is just a little bit too far apart to navigate by foot alone. The bus doesn't come as frequently as I would have liked; It does take a little planning and patience.
Blue Mountains One-Day Itinerary
Stop One: Scenic World Ticket Booth
Our first stop was Scenic World, a touristy park that offers unique ways to see the area. We did not buy our tickets online in advance. If you’re sure what day you plan to make the trip and want to take a chance on the weather I would advise buying in advance. Despite landing at Scenic World less than an hour after they opened the soonest they could sell us a ticket was 3 pm.
Stop Two: Echo Point
After securing our afternoon ticket we boarded the bus and rode to Echo Point Lookout, the main viewing point for the icon of the Blue Mountains, the Three Sisters. According to Aboriginal legend, the three points of the sandstone rock formation are three sisters who were turned to stone after an intertribal love affair.
Stop Three: Walking and Shopping on Katoomba Street (Plus Lunch)
From there we took the bus back to the Katoomba train station allowing us to walk Katoomba Street, the main street of town. The street has a great mixture of local essentials, outdoor supplies, and tourist shops. We had lunch at Yellow Deli an adorable sandwich and salad stop with a fairy forest vibe.
Stop Four and Five: Prince Henry Cliff Walk and afternoon at Scenic World Attractions
After lunch, it was time to head back to Scenic World. Via bus, we arrived a few minutes before our ticket time so we took a short hike on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The hike is totally free and accessible from the Scenic World complex. Look for the “walking treks” sign.
The ticket we purchased allowed us four experiences: Scenic Skyway, Scenic Railway, Scenic Walkway, and Scenic Cableway. The Scenic Skyway takes you on a round trip across the canyon on a cable car with a glass floor allowing you to see the rainforest canopy below and some great views of Katoomba Falls.
The other three experiences are looped into one route. From the top, you board Scenic Railway, a funicular that Guinness World Records claims to be the steepest in the world. You sit two-by-two in the angled train car. The railway drops you on the floor of the Jamison Valley.
From there you walk the third experience, Scenic Walkway, a boardwalk through the rainforest canopy floor. In the summer, when we were there, the floor of the canyon was much cooler than the temperatures at the top. The short hike through the forest was gorgeous and a great easy way to explore a rare ecosystem.
At the end of the boardwalk, you board the Scenic Cableway, an enclosed ropeway with 360-degree views of the ascent back to the top of the canyon. The car drops you back at the starting point where there is a cafeteria-style cafe and a gift shop.
I was glad we decided to experience Scenic World despite the price point being relatively high at about AUS$50 each. My biggest complaint was that, despite having a timed ticket for entrance, we had to wait in line for about 45 minutes to board the Skyway and about the same on the floor of the canyon to board the Cableway back to the top.
Stop Six: Sunset at Echo Point
It was now about 6 pm and the sun was getting lower in the sky meaning our day in the Blue Mountains was coming to a close. We got back on the bus and took a quick trip back to Echo Point to gaze at the setting sun on the Three Sisters before catching the Blue Mountains Line back to central Sydney.
