Sydney Day Trip to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba

Experience the exhilarating scenery of the Blue Mountains and exploring the picturesque town of Katoomba with this highly recommended day trip from Sydney

View of the Three Sisters rock formation in Katoomba
View of the Three Sisters rock formation in Katoomba cc licensed photo by eliduke

If you would like to escape the city for a day and explore the beautiful countryside that surrounds Sydney, this one-day trip to the Blue Mountains is outstanding.

You begin with an enjoyable 2-hour journey by train from Central Station in Sydney that takes you west right through the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park. This scenic train ride is almost half the fun. You will want to get an early start, so you have time to enjoy the day.

When you get to Katoomba, exit the railroad station to the south and walk straight south along Katoomba Street. Here you will find all kinds of boutique shops, coffee shops and little restaurants to explore. You may want to stop and enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to the lookouts.

As you continue south on Katoomba Street, it becomes more residential. Keep on walking until you get to a fork in the road. Take the right-hand fork onto Katoomba Falls Road. This leads to Katoomba Park. When you get to Cliff Drive, there's two options. Going left leads you to Echo Point Road and the Echo Point Lookout where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Blue Mountains and a close up view of the Three Sisters rock formation. Continuing straight for a short distance leads to Katoomba Falls lookout point. Many trails leading from the south side of the roads here explore the cliffs and mountains of this spectacular geological region. Please be very careful on these trails as they lead to the edge of tall cliffs.

Continuing just a little further west along Cliff Drive past Katoomba Falls Lookout you come upon Scenic World. This is an attraction you may well wish to visit. Ride the Scenic Skyway, a cable car with a glass floor that will slowly transport you across the 700-metre ravine a breathtaking 270 metres above the rainforest. You can also ride the Scenic Cableway, which takes you right down into the rainforest of the valley below. From there you'll explore the sights, flora and fauna from a 3 kilometre long raised boardwalk. Both the ride and the boardwalk are wheelchair user accessible. Last, but not least, is the Scenic Railway, the steepest inclined railway in the world. It will take you on an exciting 415-metre drop to the valley floor and the Scenic Walkway below. There are admission charges for the above rides, but they offer packages that include either 1, 2 or all three rides. See their website at the above link for up-to-date pricing.

Whether you visit the above attraction or just explore the trails and viewpoints on your own you will be treated to many fabulous views.

The walk from the railroad station to Katoomba Park and the Scenic World Attraction is about 2.5 kilometres or just over 35 minutes each way without stopping. Walking to Echo Point Lookout takes a little longer.

If you prefer the added value and convenience of a guided tour to the Blue Mountains we would strongly recommend the Blue Mountains Day Trip and Riverboat Cruise. This highly rated small group tour transports you to the Blue Mountains on a minibus. It includes hotel pickup, a morning tea and a two course lunch, admission to Scenic World including the Cable car and Railway ride, entrance to Featherdale Wildlife Park followed by a scenic river boat cruise along the Parramatta River back to Circular Quay.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No, unless visiting Scenic World

The Three Sisters Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours

Address: Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

Phone: (02) 4780 5000

Official Website: The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating We enjoyed our visit to Echo Point Lookout, taking in the stunning views of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters rock formation. The scenery was beautiful, and we appreciated learning about the local Aboriginal history. It was a great spot to appreciate the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains. Overall, a must visit lookout point if you are visiting Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. We stayed at the Echo Point Motel which was just 200m away from the lookout point, and it was a value for money stay.
Tong Peng Tan - in the last week

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5 Star Rating Visiting the Three Sisters at Echo Point Lookout is truly one of the highlights of any trip to the Blue Mountains. The view is simply breathtaking – you get a panoramic outlook of the iconic sandstone peaks, the Jamison Valley, and the endless stretch of eucalyptus forest that gives the mountains their blue haze. Standing there, it feels like you’re looking into a living postcard. That being said, Echo Point is also one of the most popular tourist spots in the region, so you should be prepared for crowds. It’s not uncommon to find quite a few people gathered around the main viewing platform, all waiting for their turn to snap that perfect photo. Patience is definitely needed if you want a clear shot without other visitors in the frame, but the view is so worth the wait. The best time to go is usually early morning or later in the afternoon when the tour buses have thinned out a bit. The lookout area itself is very well maintained. The paths are clean, the landscaping is tidy, and there are plenty of spots to sit or just pause and take in the scenery. It’s also very accessible – the bus stop is just a short walk away, so you don’t need to worry about a long hike just to reach the viewpoint. This makes it an easy stop even if you’re only in the area for a day trip. There are also visitor facilities nearby, including restrooms, a visitor information centre, and small cafés where you can grab a coffee or snack before continuing on. Overall, the Three Sisters Echo Point Lookout is a must-see destination in the Blue Mountains. Yes, it can get a bit crowded, and yes, you may have to wait your turn for photos, but the experience of standing in front of such an iconic natural landmark makes it all worthwhile. It’s clean, convenient, and gives you an unforgettable introduction to the natural beauty of the region. If you’re heading to the Blue Mountains, this spot definitely deserves a place on your itinerary.
Muktadir Rafi Chowdhury - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating The Three Sisters at Echo Point is absolutely breathtaking – a must-see when visiting the Blue Mountains! The views are spectacular and well worth the trip. The information centre was very helpful, providing us with a map and great recommendations, which made our visit easier to plan. The only downside was parking – $10 for just one hour felt quite limited, especially since the area is so popular and you want time to take it all in. It was also pretty busy with lots of visitors, but that’s expected at such an iconic spot. Overall, a beautiful experience that I’d definitely recommend!
Ash Hussain - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Breathtaking Views at Echo Point Lookout – A Must-Visit in the Blue Mountains! If you’re visiting the Blue Mountains, Echo Point Lookout is an absolute must-see. The view of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation is simply stunning, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light paints the cliffs in golden hues. The lookout is easily accessible and perfect for all ages. There are plenty of photo opportunities, and the walking tracks nearby offer more incredible viewpoints for those who want to explore further. The area is well-maintained with clear signage, toilets, and a visitor centre that provides great background on the history and Aboriginal significance of the site. Whether you’re on a day trip from Sydney or staying in Katoomba, Echo Point offers an unforgettable experience with some of the best scenery in New South Wales.
Double Ve Ve - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Echo Point Lookout is the best spot to see the iconic Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains. 🌄 The view is breathtaking, especially at sunrise or sunset when the colors of the valley and cliffs are most dramatic. The lookout is well-maintained, with clear signage, walking tracks nearby, and plenty of photo opportunities. It can get crowded during peak hours, but the scenery is absolutely worth it. A must-visit when in Katoomba.
Alberrich - 2 weeks ago

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Directions

Intercity Train and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Intercity - Blue Mountains Line Central to BathurstCentral Station35 minutes (less with bus)

How to get to The Three Sisters by Intercity Train and Bus

Take the Blue Mountains Line Central to Bathurst train from Sydney Central Station for the enjoyable 2 hour journey from Sydney to Katoomba Station in the beautiful Blue Mountains and follow the walking directions above. If you wish you can considerably shorten the walk by taking a #686 Blue Mountain Bus south to Echo Point Rd Near Birdwood Ave. To catch this bus exit the train station to the south and go right (west) to Parke Street. The bus stop is around the corner to your left on Parke Street (directly across from the Fire Hall).

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