Blue Mountains

Explore the Blue Mountains

Just over an hour west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains rise into a World Heritage wilderness of sandstone cliffs, forested valleys, waterfalls and rainforest, crossed by spectacular lookouts and walking tracks.

The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area protects close to a million hectares, recognised for its geology, remarkable eucalyptus vegetation and deep Aboriginal cultural heritage. The fine haze of eucalyptus oil above the forests gives the mountains their famous blue colour.

The Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and Katoomba may be the best-known sights, but there is much more to explore around Leura, Blackheath and the Grose Valley.

That variety makes the Blue Mountains one of Sydney’s great day trips. After more than 15 years showing guests the region, it remains one of our favourite places to explore.

Estimated reading time: 25 minutes

Things to See & Do in the Blue Mountains

See the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley

The Three Sisters at Echo Point are the best-known landmark in the Blue Mountains, and for a first visit, certainly worth seeing — from the edge of the escarpment, the view opens across the Jamison Valley toward Mount Solitary and the surrounding sandstone cliffs.

But Echo Point is only one viewpoint. One of the advantages of exploring the mountains by road is being able to visit several different lookouts in a single day, each showing the landscape from a different angle.

Walk at Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls is one of our favourite areas for experiencing the Blue Mountains on foot. You don’t need a long or difficult bushwalk to enjoy it — short walks and viewpoints sit close to the escarpment, with longer tracks nearby for guests wanting a more active day. The falls themselves drop more than 180 metres into the valley below.

The area combines waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, forest and panoramic valley views, and makes an excellent introduction to Blue Mountains bushwalking.

Experience Scenic World

For a completely different perspective, Scenic World gives access to the escarpment and rainforest through its famous Railway, Cableway and Skyway.

Scenic World works particularly well for visitors who’d like to experience the dramatic landscape without making bushwalking the main focus of their day. On a private tour, Scenic World is one option rather than an automatic inclusion — the day is built around what interests you.

Explore the Mountain Villages

The Blue Mountains aren’t only wilderness. Leura is known for its village atmosphere, tree-lined streets, gardens, shops and cafés — a popular stop for lunch or some free time.

Katoomba is the main mountain town and the gateway to the Three Sisters, Scenic World and many of the area’s best-known walks and viewpoints. Further along the ridge, Blackheath is quieter and less touristed, and opens onto another part of the Blue Mountains landscape — the spectacular Grose Valley, with lookouts including Govetts Leap and Pulpit Rock.

Wildlife and Nature

The Blue Mountains support an extraordinary range of Australian plants and wildlife. The World Heritage landscape protects extensive eucalyptus forests as well as rainforest, heathlands and other habitats across rugged plateaux and valleys.

Wildlife can sometimes be encountered in the mountains themselves, but visitors wanting a closer introduction to Australian animals can combine a Blue Mountains day with Featherdale Wildlife Park — particularly popular with international visitors keen to see kangaroos, koalas and other native wildlife as part of the same day.

Walking or Sightseeing? You Can Do Both

A Blue Mountains visit doesn’t mean choosing between a serious bushwalk and sightseeing from a vehicle. Short walks can easily be built in between lookouts, villages and other attractions — or, for more active visitors, walking can become a much bigger part of the day.

That flexibility matters most for families and groups with a mix of fitness levels. Weather, track conditions and national park closures can also affect which walks work best on a given day, so staying flexible pays off.

Explore the Blue Mountains with Sydney Adventure Tours

There are three ways to experience the Blue Mountains with us.

Blue Mountains Private Tour

Our Blue Mountains Private Tour is designed around you. Rather than following one compulsory itinerary, we combine the places and experiences that interest you most — perhaps Australian wildlife at Featherdale, a walk at Wentworth Falls, Scenic World, the Three Sisters, mountain villages and some of our favourite lookouts.

Start times are flexible, and the itinerary can be adjusted for your interests, walking ability, weather and conditions on the day.

Explore our Blue Mountains Private Tour →

Small Group Blue Mountains Wildlife & Wentworth Falls

For travellers who enjoy some walking, our Small Group Walk Tour follows a planned itinerary combining Australian wildlife, Wentworth Falls, mountain scenery and the major Blue Mountains highlights. Unlike our private tours, this tour follows a set itinerary.

View the Small Group Walk Tour →

Small Group Blue Mountains Wildlife & Scenic World Tour

Our Small Group Scenic World Tour is designed for visitors who’d like to experience the major Blue Mountains sights together with Scenic World’s famous rides. This is also a set-itinerary tour.

View the Blue Mountains Small Group Scenic World Tour →

Private Blue Mountains Tour Itinerary Ideas

Your Day, Your Way

One of the biggest advantages of a private tour is that there’s no single Blue Mountains itinerary you have to follow. Some guests want wildlife and walking. Others prefer Scenic World and sightseeing. Some want to spend more time hiking, while others would rather explore the mountain villages over a relaxed lunch.

Our Private Tour Itinerary Library shows some of the ways we regularly put a Blue Mountains day together. These aren’t separate tours—they’re ideas for your Blue Mountains Private Tour, and can be adapted or combined to suit you.

Featherdale Wildlife Park + Wentworth Falls

Combine Australian wildlife with a Blue Mountains bushwalk, waterfalls, the Three Sisters, Leura and selected mountain lookouts.

Explore this itinerary →

Featherdale Wildlife Park + Scenic World

Meet Australian wildlife before travelling into the mountains for Scenic World’s rides, the Three Sisters and selected viewpoints.

Explore this itinerary →

Walking, Waterfalls & Mountain Lookouts

Spend more of your day outdoors, combining walking with waterfalls, forests and some of the Blue Mountains’ spectacular viewpoints. Contact us for ideas.

Booking an Itinerary Idea

Found an itinerary you like? Simply book the Blue Mountains Private Tour. During the booking process, let us know which itinerary or experience interests you.

Your chosen itinerary is a starting point rather than a rigid schedule — we can adjust the day to suit your interests, walking ability, weather and conditions in the mountains.

Book a Blue Mountains Private Tour →

Blue Mountains Guides & Articles

There’s always more to discover. SAT’s Blue Mountains guides and articles cover individual villages, walks, lookouts, places to eat, lesser-known locations and practical ideas for making the most of a visit.

Latest Blue Mountains Blogs

Useful Blue Mountains Links