When it comes to Sydney tourism, Blue Mountains National Park is undoubtedly a must-visit attraction for tourists. Not only is it conveniently accessible and boasts captivating landscapes, but it's also a renowned World Heritage Site in Australia.
Today, I'd like to share with you about "how to get to the Blue Mountains National Park", trip planning, and introductions of two major attractions, "Scenic World" and "Three Sisters". Hopefully, this can make your self-guided tour to the Blue Mountains smoother!
1. How to get to the Blue Mountains?
Besides renting a car, you can also reach the Blue Mountains via public transport. The most common method is taking the "T1 line train" from Sydney city to "Katoomba" station, then transferring to the local "sightseeing bus" or "public bus" to various attractions.
In terms of the train, "Central" station is the starting point of the T1 line, with a train approximately every half an hour. It takes about 2 hours from Sydney downtown to the Blue Mountains. A round trip ticket costs about $19 Australian dollars. For a detailed introduction to Sydney's transport, you can refer to the "Sydney Public Transport Guide".
For the sightseeing bus, the main option is the "Blue Mountains Explorer Bus". It can take you to about 30 local attractions, including Scenic World and the Three Sisters.
The Blue Mountain Explorer Bus departs every hour. There is a one-day pass (Explorer Bus Pass) on sale for $49 Australian dollars, which allows unlimited rides on the route. The bus provides multi-language guides, and you can purchase tickets online (e.g., KKday or Klook) or at the Explorer Bus shop near the "Katoomba" station.
(For the Blue Mountain Explorer Bus route map and detailed schedule and attraction list, please check the official website)
(One-day passes can also be bundled with "Scenic World tickets", but the price doesn't differ from purchasing separately)
For the public buses, there are 10 routes departing from "Katoomba Station" to different attractions in the Blue Mountains. However, to get to "Scenic World" and "Three Sisters", you need to take the "686 bus". A one-way ticket costs $3.2 Australian dollars, with a bus approximately every 20 minutes.
(Across from the "Katoomba" station is the 686 bus stop. The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus departs from the opposite side of this bus stop)
After understanding these options, my personal recommendation is that if you only plan to visit "Scenic World" and "Three Sisters" within one day, you can simply take the train to "Katoomba" station and then transfer to the 686 bus. But if you want to thoroughly explore various attractions in the Blue Mountains, I'd recommend buying a one-day unlimited ride pass for the tourist bus.
Lastly, if you don't want to spend too much time planning transportation, or want to enjoy the Blue Mountains at a discounted price, there are many cost-effective local tours. You can also book the "Blue Mountains All-Inclusive Package Day Tour" on Klook or "Blue Mountains Day Tour" on KKday, which are reasonably priced with international customer service, saving a lot of time.
(If you have time, the community outside the "Katoomba" station is quite beautiful, with many restaurants and shops selling clothes, art, and souvenirs. It's quite enjoyable to stroll around)
2. Scenic World
Scenic World is a must-visit location for anyone touring the Blue Mountains!
The fame of Scenic World rests on its 4 scenic routes, with two being cable car rides named "Skyway" and "Cableway," one being the steepest train in the world, the "Railway," and a hiking trail named the "Walkway." All these routes provide breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains!
◎Address: Scenic World, Violet Street, Katoomba, New South Wales
◎Tickets: Adults $49.9; Children (3-15 years) $29.9; Family ticket (1 adult 1 child) $79.8; Students and Seniors $45 (unlimited rides on all four scenic routes included)
◎Money-saving tip: Tickets purchased through Klook's "Blue Mountains Scenic World Pass" or KKday's "Blue Mountains Scenic World Package" often come cheaper than those from the official website.
◎Official Website: Scenic World
◎Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Even though the tickets allow unlimited rides, due to Scenic World's popularity, a "ride time" is assigned upon purchasing tickets to control the number of visitors. This means you can only enter after the specified time, so it's advisable to arrive early regardless of whether you buy tickets online or onsite. The photo shows the crowd waiting at the entrance.)
(I find the management quite considerate, as they provide "musical performances" and "entertainment activities" for the waiting crowd, ensuring no one is simply left waiting.)
(The entrance and exit of Scenic World are the same, and the center features a gift shop where souvenirs can be purchased. There's also a restaurant nearby for dining.)
(The Cableway and Railway of Scenic World both offer stunning views of the Blue Mountains, but personally, I prefer this "Skyway" route. It offers an all-inclusive view of the Three Sisters rock formation, waterfalls, forests, and rocky terrain. Absolutely gorgeous!)
(Next up is the ride on the Railway. This train is quite extraordinary, with a slope of 52 degrees, making it the steepest train in the world. It's an experience worth having.)
(The Cableway isn't as famous as the above two routes, but it still provides great views of the forest.)
(The Walkway is a trail connecting the Skyway and Cableway stations. Along the route, you can see many ancient mining relics and information.)
In the end, I would recommend taking the Skyway first, then ride the Railway down the mountain, walk the Walkway to the Cableway station, and then go back up the mountain. This route offers the best views and is suitable for all ages.
3. Three Sisters
The most distinctive geological formation in the Blue Mountains is the Three Sisters, a line-up of three massive rocks, which have become an iconic symbol of the Blue Mountains. There are numerous trails nearby, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful view from various angles. It's a great place to unwind!
◎Address: Three Sisters, Echo Point Road, Katoomba, New South Wales
◎Tickets: Free
◎Official Website: Echo Point Lookout (Three Sisters)
◎Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(The Three Sisters feature a two-tier viewing platform, from where you can overlook the entire Blue Mountain landscape.)
(Next to the plaza of the Three Sisters viewing platform is a visitor information center where you can get plenty of tourism information and buy souvenirs.)
(Besides the Echo Point lookout, you can also walk for about 30 minutes to reach the Three Sisters Bridge. This bridge takes you into the rock formation, and offers spectacular views along the way.)
(Reaching the Three Sisters Bridge gives you a sense of being closer to the forest, allowing you to overlook it from a shorter distance.)
4. Other Blue Mountains Attractions
In addition to Scenic World and the Three Sisters, if you wish to explore the Blue Mountains further, consider hiking the renowned 8km Six Foot Track, leading to another attraction, the Jenolan Caves. These caves allow you to appreciate other aspects of the Blue Mountains' beauty, making them an excellent option for hiking enthusiasts.
So, that was a brief introduction to the Blue Mountains National Park. It's a destination worth visiting for its incredible beauty. Once you've visited, you'll understand why it is so loved. Don't forget to add the Blue Mountains to your Sydney itinerary!