Incredible experiences in the Blue Mountains

The state of New South Wales, home to Australia’s number one city, Sydney, is full of spectacular sights that will captivate any visitor. One of the best places to visit is the Blue Mountains, a World Natural Heritage Site of outstanding scale and breathtaking beauty. A trip here will leave you with an impression that will last a lifetime. A Japanese writer in Sydney visited the area and told you about its highlights.

*As of 2024, wearing masks indoors in Australia is not required, except in some facilities such as hospitals.
*Opening hours and prices are as of 2024.
*Prices include tax.

A national park of magnificent natural beauty about two hours from Sydney

The official name of the Blue Mountains is the Greater Blue Mountains region. It includes the Blue Mountains National Park, a vast area of one million hectares covered in virgin forest, and is registered as a World Natural Heritage Site.

The Blue Mountains, which boasts such magnificent natural beauty, can be accessed by train from the metropolis of Sydney in about two hours (one or two trains every hour). Day trips from Sydney are possible, but a relaxing stay of one or two nights is recommended for a few days.

As the name suggests, this is a ‘mountain’ area so that the weather can change suddenly. Even on sunny days, take rain gear and a cloak. Comfortable clothing and shoes are essential. 

Painted World

Breathtaking views, screams and romance. A “Painted World” full of excitement

Spectacular, screaming, romantic. Scenic World“, a heap of emotions.
The most prosperous town in the Blue Mountains is Katoomba, which also has a train station. Let’s start with the best places to visit here.

An absolute must is Scenic World, one of the Blue Mountains’ most popular attractions. From Katoomba train station, it is a 30-minute walk through the shopping and residential area, which can also be reached by public bus numbers 686 and 686G or by the ‘Blue Mountains Explorer Bus‘, a tourist bus. 

Scenic Skyway

Scenic World is a place where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Blue Mountains from many different angles and in many different ways. There are four rides alone.

The first attraction we experienced was the Scenic Cableway.

It was a Saturday, and the place was packed with people – up to 84 people could ride in one car. It has glass walls on all four sides so you can see the Blue Mountains forest up close.

According to Ben, the staff member who showed us around, summer and winter are particularly good times to visit. Winter can be very cold with snow, but the scenery is very different from summer.

The Scenic Cableway is 510 metres long and crosses the valley through which the ‘Jamison Valley’ extends. The scenic cableway provides excellent views over the Blue Mountains’ most famous rock formations, the ‘Three sisters‘, as well as the ‘Orphan Rock‘ and ‘Mt Solitary‘. With the sandstone cliffs by my side, I felt the overwhelming power of the World Heritage Site.

This beauty can be seen in photographs! In person, it is breathtakingly beautiful and breathtaking.

By the way, do you know why they are called the Blue Mountains? The secret is hidden in the eucalyptus, which is also famous as a food source for koalas.

The Blue Mountains is a rare area where more than 90 species of eucalyptus trees grow over a wide area. When the large amounts of oil released from these eucalyptus trees evaporate, they mix with particles and water vapour in the air. The sunlight hitting it creates a unique blue haze, which makes the whole mountain look blue. It’s fantastic, isn’t it? 

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A ropeway takes you down to the valley floor and into the Jamison Valley. The end of the line is in the middle of dense trees.

A ‘walkway’, or boardwalk, starts immediately outside the station, with a short 10-minute, middle 30-minute and long 50-minute walk.

The Blue Mountains is said to be home to more than 130 species of native flora and fauna, including more than 90 species of eucalypts, some of which date back to the Jurassic period (190 million to 135 million years ago), giving the area a prehistoric atmosphere reminiscent of the film Jurassic Park!

Ferns and conifers are conspicuous in this area due to the high rainfall. Our guide, Ben, told us about the mysterious Lyrebird bird, which is endemic to the Blue Mountains. Also known as Songbirds, they imitate the sounds of other birds, cableways and human-made sounds (e.g. musical instruments). They are shy and do not flock with other birds. They can be found in large fern trees!

Next up is the Scenic Railway, the oldest ride in Scenic World and a famous attraction, the Scenic Railway ‘trolley train’. 

Scenic Railway

The theme tune from the film Indiana Jones plays as you approach. The trolley train scene in the cave is famous! You can go down from the top (more thrilling) or up from the bottom. The Scenic Railway is like a straight descent on skis.  It’s a super-steep train.

Normally, the incline is 52 degrees, but it can go up to 64 degrees with some adjustments. 2013 saw the fifth generation of the train, modernised with glass windows. It’s easy to see how steep it is! The ride takes you through the jungle of the Jamison Valley.

The speed is not that fast, but if you don’t support yourself, you will feel like you are going to roll over. It is a true scream machine. There is a chorus of screams from the seats in front and behind you!

It was originally built to transport coal from the mines, and from 1928 to 1945, it was used to transport coal on weekdays. After 1945, it was used by the public as a ride on weekends. 

Katoomba Coal Mine

Next up is the Scenic Skyway, which goes 270 metres above ground and was the first cable car in Australia, having started operating in 1958. It was coloured in rainbow for a limited time to celebrate Sydney World Pride 2023, an LGBTQIA+ festival that was taking place in Sydney at the time of the interview. Like the Scenic Cableway, this one can accommodate up to 84 passengers.

The cabin has glass on all four sides, giving a 360-degree view. It is transparent on all four sides, even to the floor! If you’re afraid of heights, you’ll be horrified. But that doesn’t stop you from enjoying the spectacular view. The gradient between the bright blue sky and the blue-green carpet of the Blue Mountains is a sight to behold.

The Scenic Skyway takes you across to the other side of the river.

A minute’s walk from there is the CLIFF VIEW LOOKOUT. 

CLIFF VIEW LOOKOUT

The view is spectacular. The word ‘spectacular’ is the perfect word. The way the clouds create shadows is also beautiful and emotional. It is a magical feeling, as if you are being sucked into the deep green.

From this viewing spot, you walk along a path for less than five minutes each way. Then, a small waterfall called Katoomba Cascades appears.

 

Katoomba Cascades

It’s a bit of a haven where you can play in the water or have a picnic.

Once again, the Scenic Skyway takes you back to the starting point.

The final challenge is Beyond Skyway. This is Scenic World’s newest attraction, open to the public for about a year.

All you need is a lifeline and a helmet. What exactly is the Beyond Skyway attraction? You ride ‘on top’ of the roof of a cabin (gondola) of the Scenic Skyway cable car, which was introduced earlier. This is the first attraction in the world where you ride on top of a cable car!

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The view from the roof. Even though I’m not afraid of heights, I was afraid to walk. This is what I call a thrilling experience.

This time, we were attended by a staff member with rock climbing experience. By the way, she says she is not scared at all! At first, they were tentative, but gradually, they got used to it. When you overcome your fear, a reward awaits you. You have such a sumptuous view, almost all to yourself.

You realise how great and powerful nature is. A true 360-degree, unobstructed view. It is nothing short of breathtaking. You can see the ‘Jamison Valley change colour at dusk, the oddly shaped ‘Three Sisters‘ and Katoomba Falls from a special seat. 

On this day, there was a heavy rain warning in the evening, and the weather was about to break. In order to operate safely, this Beyond Skyway may be cancelled depending on the weather.

Although we didn’t get rained on, the wind was powerful enough to blow us over if we didn’t have a lifeline. It adds to the thrill of the ride.

And the staff next to us are preparing something for us. Non-alcoholic sparkling wine. A toast to this wonderful view!

It was an experience I would never forget. It might be a romantic experience for couples. Incidentally, up to four people can experience the ride at one time, and it operates only three times a day from Thursday to Saturday. In other words, this is a rare attraction that can only be experienced by a maximum of 12 people per day! 
*Operated after the other attractions have closed, depending on the time of year.

Not only spectacular scenery, but also screams and even romance! Scenic World is truly an experience of a lifetime.  

Scenic World

  • Address: Corner Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba, New South Wales 2780 (1 Violet Street, Katoomba NSW 2780)
  • Access: 35-minute walk from Katoomba train station. It can also be reached by public buses 686 and 686G or Blue Mountains Explorer Bus (https://www.explorerbus.com.au/).
  • Tel: +61-2-4780-0200
  • Email: info@scenicworld.com.au
  • Opening hours: 10:00-16:00 weekdays / 9:00-17:00 Sat & Sun
  • During school holidays〉 Everyday 9:00-17:00
    School holidays are spring, summer, autumn and winter breaks for New South Wales public primary and high schools and vary from year to year.
  • Tickets: A$50 for adults. Unlimited travel on Scenic Railway, Scenic Cableway, Scenic Walkway, Scenic Skyway and Gruffalo Spotters Trail. Beyond Skyway Flexi A$369 for adultsBeyond Skyway ticket with date change within a year.
  • web: https://www.scenicworld.com.au/

Three Sisters The 'Echo Point'

Three Sisters

The ‘Echo Point‘ lookout for a close-up view of the bizarre ‘Three Sisters‘ rock formations.

Another tourist attraction in the Blue Mountains is the Echo Point lookout, located in Katoomba, the same town as Scenic World. This is also a 30-minute walk from Katoomba train station. If you take a bus, the number 686 will take you there in about 10 minutes.

It was cloudy on this day, but this hazy atmosphere was also quite nice with its bewitching atmosphere.

And visible at close range from here are the Three Sisters, the most famous oddly shaped rocks in the Blue Mountains.

As the name suggests, the three oddly shaped rocks are arranged in close proximity to each other.

Of course, you can also fully enjoy the spectacular panoramic view. 

Lincoln's Rock

LINCOLN’S ROCK

Lincoln’s Rock, with its spectacular view from the ‘unfenced cliffs’.
There is a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ spot where you can enjoy a spectacular view that is different from the royal road ‘Echo Point’. LINCOLN’S ROCK is located in a slightly remote area, about 15-20 minutes by car from Katoomba Station.

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It’s also a two-and-a-half-hour hike from ‘Echo Point’. You can also go through some spectacular scenic spots.

Huge, flat rocky cliffs, 855 metres high.

There are no fences and no particular “Danger! Do not approach!” There are no signs saying “Danger! It may be even more thrilling than the ropeway roof we mentioned earlier (please note).

The view from here is exceptional, even if your feet get a bit stiff. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

This is one of the best spots in the Blue Mountains for taking high-impact, photogenic photos. Find your own special spot.

It is also known as a sunset spot and it is recommended to aim for sunset time. 

If you want a mountain tour to organize place you then join Blue Mountains Tours. 

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