The Blue Mountains in Australia is the definition of spectacular.
Imagine expansive views, towering mountain ranges, rainbow-coloured waterfalls, and a vibrant blue haze that washes over the horizon. It’s no wonder the Blue Mountains National Park was officially named a UNESCO heritage site in 2000.
Today, it’s a popular spot for hiking enthusiasts and photographers. But, because the Blue Mountains are so big, it can be overwhelming to know what to do and where to spend your time. Lucky for you, I’ve narrowed down the top 9 things to do in the Blue Mountains, and best of all, they’re all free!
I’ve also created a FREE Blue Mountains, Australia Google Map with all the places included in this post for your convenience. This will help you easily find each location and will allow you to map out the best itinerary for your trip. You can find this link at the end of this post and save it for your trip!
What to Know Before you Go to the Blue Mountains Australia
Where are the Blue Mountains:
The Blue Mountains are in New South Wales, Australia. About an hour and a half from Sydney, around a town called Katoomba. Do not get these confused with the Blue Mountains located in eastern Canada. They are very different!
How to get to the Blue Mountains:
You can take the train from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, you can drive, or jump on this tour from Sydney, which takes you to all the sites in 1-day.
Getting Around the Blue Mountains:
The best way to get around this area is by car. Or, you can use the hop-on-hop-off buses.
How Long Do You Need:
You could see all the main highlights in one day, but to do some hikes and explore this area in-depth, I recommend three days.
Best Time to Visit the Blue Mountains:
If you can, I highly recommend visiting on a weekday, as there won’t be large crowds visiting from Sydney. In terms of the time of year, Spring to Fall (or October – April, as Australia’s in the Southern Hemisphere) is the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. If you come in the winter, be sure to bundle up! The Blue Mountains drop to freezing cold temperatures in the winter, and sometimes see snow!
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the Blue Mountains got its name due to the area’s signature blue haze? This blue haze is caused by all the surrounding eucalyptus trees that let off eucalyptus oil in the air, creating this blue-ish colour mixed with water and oxygen. Seeing that blue haze in real life is truly remarkable, and the smell is intoxicating on a hot summer’s day.
Where to Stay:
We visited the Blue Mountains for three nights during a 2-week road trip through NSW, Australia. Because of this, we stayed in our campervan on campsites. If you are also camping or doing #vanlife, I recommend the StayKCC Campground ($30 per night) and Dunphy’s Campsite (Free).
Where to Eat:
Do you love discovering the best places to eat and drink whenever you travel? Then be sure to read my guide on the best places to eat in the Blue Mountains, Australia.
Top 9 FREE Things to do in Blue Mountains Australia
I know I said 9, but there’s one extra thing to do in the Blue Mountains that isn’t free. So I’ve included it at the end of this list as a bonus if you’re short on time and only have one day in the Australia Blue Mountains.
1. Admire the Mystical Three Sisters in Echo Park
In Echo Park, the Three Sisters is the iconic lookout you most likely think of when you hear about the Blue Mountains in Australia. These mysterious sandstone stacks were formed by erosion over the year, and serve a special significance to the local Aboriginal people. To read more about the history of the Three Sisters before your Blue Mountain visit, click here.
I had always imagined this lookout would be something you would have to hike to, but nope! Echo Point is a large lookout platform, about a 5-minute drive from Katoomba. It’s across from a residential area; however, the views are truly spectacular. When you see how vast the valley is and the beautiful mountain range for the first time, it will take your breath away.
From here, you can walk down an easy path to other viewpoints and get up close to the Three Sisters. I would recommend visiting during the day or right before sunset, as the views are sensational. Don’t forget your camera, and if you are scared of heights, don’t look down!
2.Take a Scenic Cliff Walk at Elysian Rock and Gordon Falls
If you are looking for a leisurely walk with scenic views, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is the one you don’t want to miss. This hike starts at Echo Park and walks along the mountain range to several stunning lookouts in the area. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself ‘oohing’ and ‘awing’ every two minutes. The views are so spectacular!
If you don’t want to walk, use this map to drive to the various lookout points.
We started our hike at the Gordon Falls Picnic Area and walked to the following lookouts:
- Gordon Falls
- Elysian Rock
- Olympian Rock
*Important Note: When we visited the Blue Mountains in November 2019, portions of this hike were closed due to a recent landslide. Because of this, we drove to Gordon Falls Picnic Area and walked backwards to the lookouts mentioned. When you visit, check with the visitor centre, or you’ll see local maps with updates around the national park.
3. Hike Through Mist & Rainbows at Wentworth Falls
One of the best things we did in the Blue Mountains was a hike to the bottom of the tallest waterfall in the area – Wentworth Falls. Watching the water drop 872m, and seeing the mist turn to rainbows was incredibly magical. Now there are two ways you can visit the falls. You can hike to the first falls landing, where you can see the falls from the side of the cliff, or you can walk to the very bottom of the falls. I highly recommend hiking to the bottom!
Walking to the bottom of Wentworth Falls is only 1.4 km but takes about 45-minutes to complete because it’s mostly stairs. However, I recommend giving yourself 1-2 hours to allow yourself time to stop to take photos, swim in the waterfall pools, and enjoy a snack at one of the fantastic lookouts. Also, be sure to look up! I’ll never forget the feeling I had while standing under a waterfall of that size. I felt like the smallest speck on earth, which is oddly humbling.
So, if you are fit and want to do one challenging hike in the Blue Mountains, make it Wentworth Falls.
4. Get National Geographic Views at Lincoln’s Rock
While you are out at Wentworth Falls, stop at Lincoln’s Rock. You’d be hard-pressed to get a bad photo here at Lincoln’s Rock in the Blue Mountains. Especially at sunset.
Catch the multitude of colours in the sky while leaning up against one of the cave entrances. Or, if you’re not afraid of heights, dangle your feet off the cliff while you look at the valley below.
But be warned, Lincoln’s Rock has no safety railings. So be extra cautious near the cliff, especially at dark, and if you have kids or pets.
Tip: Pack a blanket and bundle up. As soon as the sun went down, the wind picked up, and I almost lost my hat! But seriously, bring warm layers so you can stick around to see the sky change colour.
5. Get off the Beaten Path at Cahill’s Landing
If crowds aren’t your thing, but sunsets are, check out Cahill’s Landing for an equally stunning evening. As you walk out towards the lookout, check out the ‘Boars Head Rock’ on the left-hand side. You’ll find some benches to sit on in this area, and the pathway is wheelchair accessible.
We visited Cahill’s Landing on our last night in the Blue Mountains and set up a romantic little picnic off the path, under the main lookout. We picked a sheltered spot from the wind, and we had the best time seeing the light change colour on the mountain range.
6. Boutique Shop & Cafe Hop at Leura Mall
A short 5-minute drive from Katoomba, you’ll come across the charming small town of Leura Mall. Here you’ll find a high-street with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s worth a wander around, and don’t miss the quaint shops tucked into all the various alleyways.
Tip: Be sure to check out the Bakehouse on Wentworth and pick up one of their famous pies or pastries. My Aussie fiancé claims they are the best in the country! And that man loves his pies, so that’s saying something.
7. Admire Street Art in Katoomba
In Katoomba, across from the Yellow Deli, you’ll find a small alleyway name Beverly Place filled with cool street art. This activity won’t take too long to do, but street art is neat and always makes great Instagram photos!
Plus, while you are there, stop by the super cozy Yellow Deli for a bowl of chilli, a hot drink or freshly pressed juice. I’m not exaggerating when I say that you’ll feel like you are in a Hobbiton Treehouse when you step inside this restaurant.
READ NEXT: Interested to hear about other great places to eat and drink in the Blue Mountains? Check out my restaurant guide here.
8. Camp With Kangaroos in the Megalong Valley
If you want a different perspective of the Blue Mountains, I recommend heading down the Megalong Valley. We stayed one night at Dunphy’s campground and felt utterly immersed in nature. When we first arrived at the campsite, we were so excited to find ten kangaroos hopping around with their joeys, and then were blown away by all the colourful wildflowers.
Watching the sunlight reflect off the mountain cliffs and then seeing a blue haze in the sky is an image that will stay with me forever. That night we had the whole campsite to ourselves, so we cooked up a steak dinner on the free BBQ and made a wood fire to enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest.
Even if camping isn’t your thing, there are several hikes you can do in this area. We heard Bellbird Point has a lovely lookout and is short and painless. After you’ve worked up an appetite, be sure to stop by Megalong Tea Room for some incredible tea, scones and cream. The views and (more importantly) scones won’t disappoint.
Details: Dunphy’s campsite is free because it doesn’t have electricity or showers. There is an outhouse, and you have to drive through private property to get to the campgrounds; however, the owners are happy to let campers go through their property. Just remember to close their gates.
9. Get Your Workout in at Grand Canyon Hike in the Blue Mountains
About a 15-minute drive from Katoomba, you’ll find the Grand Canyon Hike. Many locals and other tourists recommended this hike to us, but unfortunately, we didn’t get time to experience it for ourselves. If we ever go back, this spot would be first on our list to see, as the scenery looks incredible.
The Grand Canyon Hike is a 6.3km loop and should take you around 3-4 hours. This hike is said to be well-shaded, has many waterfalls, and has luscious native vegetation. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes, a hat, and bring lots of water.
10. Bonus: Visit Scenic World
I’ve left this to the end because technically, Scenic World isn’t free to visit, and this post is all about free things to do in the Blue Mountains, Australia. However, Scenic World is a popular tourist destination, and for a good reason.
Scenic World includes a skyway gondola to see the Blue Mountains from above. Plus, it has a cableway and railway that takes you to the forest floor to hike along the 2.4km scenic boardwalk.
So if you are short on time or struggle with hiking or walking, Scenic World is a fantastic way to see all the Blue Mountains have to offer in just a couple of hours.
FREE Blue Mountains Google Map
As promised, here is your Blue Mountains Google Map with all the free things to do that were mentioned above. This will help you easily find each location and will allow you to map out the best itinerary for your trip. I hope it helps!
Are You Convinced?
If you’ve dreamt of hiking along cliffs with picture-perfect backdrops, watching waterfall mist turn into rainbows, and camping with wild kangaroos, the Blue Mountains in Australia is for you. If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend and leave me a comment below. Or, if you have any unanswered questions, send me a direct message, and I’d be happy to help.
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