Blue Mountains Overview
The Blue Mountains, around 1.5 hours drive west of Sydney , an area rich in natural beauty was designated in the year 2000 as a World Heritage Region - defined by UNESCO as 'worthy of recognition as of outstanding universal value'.
The Blue Mountains are so called because of the noticeable blue hue over the tree filled valleys, caused by vaporising eucalyptus oil.
The Blue Mountains scenery is unique and the area consists of over a million hectares of dramatic sandstone gorges, plateaus and escarpments dominated by eucalypt forest.
The Three Sisters
The Three Sisters are perhaps the Blue Mountains best known landmark. Perched above the impressive Jamieson Valley, the rock formations stand 920m and can be viewed from Echo Point which is located between Leura and Katoomba. (see map) They are between 200 to 300 million years old and have been formed by the slow erosion of the surrounding sandstone.
A brand new multi-million-dollar visitor facility has been designed to harmonise with the dramatic environment and provides perfect views from multi-level viewing areas. An information centre, car parks, dramatic cliff path walks (including the Price Henry Walk), restaurant and shops are all included in the development.
Dreamtime Legend
Legend which has has it that there were once three beautiful sisters from The Katoomba People named 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and 'Gunnedo. Although custom forbade a union with members from the Nepean People, such was their beauty that three brothers from the tribe fell in love with the sisters.
As the brothers wished to marry the sisters they rebelled against this law and attempted to forcibly capture them. As this threatened a catastrophic tribal battle which could endanger the lives of the beautiful three sisters, a Witch doctor decided to protect them by turning them into rock.
Once the battle had subsided he would then return the sisters to their untouched human form. However, he was a casualty of the battle and the three sisters remain as the majestic rock formations to this very day. The spell remains in place and nobody now knows how to release the spell.
Within Easy Reach of Sydney
The Blue Mountains are within easy reach of Sydney (only around 90 minutes).
For directions see our route planner and distance calculator
The M4 is the most direct route and becomes The Great Western Highway as it climbs the mountains. The gateway to the mountains starts at Lapstone ( approximately 2 km from the Nepean River). The Nepean River (which is at the foothills of the mountains) is a great place for water sports enthusiasts to indulge in water ski-ing, rowing, canoeing and rafting at the former Olympic White Water Centre.
The drive up to (and through) the Blue Mountains region takes you through several towns including Glenbrook, Springwood, Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba and provides spectacular mountain and valley views.
Most tourists tend to head towards Leura and Katoomba but some other towns, in particular Wentworth Falls (which is the location for the 'Conservation Hut' cafe which has fantastic valley views) are worth seeking out. Also you may spot kangaroos at Glenbrook National Park
Katoomba and Leura
Katoomba, (see map) the biggest town in the area, is known as 'the capital of the Blue Mountains' . The Aboriginal meaning of Katoomba is ' Shiny Falling Waters' and there are many waterfalls in the area including the nearby Katoomba Falls, Wentworth Falls and Leura Cascades. The town has a unique 'mountains style' characterised by heritage arts and crafts, alternative boutiques and cafes etc. There is a good selection of accommodation.
Quaint
The Smaller towns of Leura & Wentworth Falls (see map) offer a pretty quaintness with bistro's, cosy accommodation and craft shops. Leura is perhaps the prettiest of the Blue Mountains villages and is just perfect for spending a lazy afternoon browsing around the boutiques, delis, antique stores and stopping for the occasional cup of coffee or snack of course!
There is also an international sweet/candy/lolly shop which is extremely popular. Leura also has some fine, award winning, restaurants (eg Silks and Le Goblet) for a lunch time or evening meal. The Three Sisters as well as a good selection of Bed and Breakfasts and accommodation are within a few minutes of Leura..
Blue Mountains accommodation
The Blue Mountains is a popular 'Weekender' destination for Sydney siders so there is an abundance of accommodation ranging from quaint cosy Bed and Breakfasts to resorts. Perhaps the most well known is the luxurious boutique hotel, Lilianfels.
Location
The Blue Mountains is located in eastern New South Wales and has a Latitude of 33.7°S and a Longitude of 150.3° E.
See Blue Mountains Map.
Driving To The Blue Mountains
Some approximate driving times to Sydney are:
1.5Hrs From Sydney (100Km)
10Hrs From Melbourne (890Km)
13Hrs From Brisbane (1000Km)
See Route and Distance Calculator for more accurate driving times and routes from additional locations.
Spectacular Walks and Drives
The Blue Mountains scenery is unique and the area consists of over a million hectares of dramatic sandstone gorges, plateaus and escarpments dominated by eucalypt forest.
There are countless bush walks in 'the mountains' including the well known 'Valley Of The Waters', 'Leura Cascades' and 'Three Sisters' walks. There is also the 'Price Henry' walk towards Leura Cascades from The Three Sisters observation centre.
Information on all the walks can be found at Blue Mountains Tourist Information Centres at Echo Point (overlooking The Three Sisters), Glenbrook and Blackheath.
There are numerous cliff top lookout platforms eg near Echo Point, which provide dramatic views if you have a head for heights!
Blue Mountains Climate
These figures are for guidance only:
Approximate Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):10 / 50
Spring(Sep-Nov):17 / 63
Summer(Dec-Feb):23 / 73
Autumn(Mar-May):16 / 62
Approximate Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 66
Spring(Sep-Nov): 63
Summer(Dec-Feb): 83
Autumn(Mar-May): 70
Stunning Views
There are countless bush walks in 'the mountains' including the well known 'Valley Of The Waters', 'Leura Cascades' and 'Three Sisters' walks.
There is also the 'Price Henry' walk towards Leura Cascades from The Three Sisters observation centre.
Information on all the walks can be found at Blue Mountains Tourist Information Centres at Echo Point (overlooking The Three Sisters), Glenbrook and Blackheath.
There are numerous clifftop lookout platforms eg near Echo Point, which provide dramatic views if you have a head for heights!
The Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves (see map) are world renowned limestone caves with guided tours of nine 'show caves' and also some unique accommodation at the old Jenolan Caves House.
The Jenolan Caves are located further west approximately an hours drive from Katoomba.
