There is a reason city dwellers gravitate towards the Blue Mountains National Park more than any other park in the state. The national park has been perennially popular for its meandering walking trails, acclaimed lookouts, and picturesque waterfalls. Spread over more than 260,000 hectares, more people seem to be flocking here than the 225 stellar national parks around the state, making it the most visited in NSW followed by the Royal National Park and it lies on Sydney’s doorstep at a short 90-minute drive. Here’s everything you need to know about the popular spot if you’re planning a trip.
Blue Mountains National Park
There are 6 diverse and wonderful areas to explore at the park including Katoomba, Blackheath, Glenbrook, the Lower Grose Valley area, Mount Wilson, and the southern Blue Mountains area and each place offers something new and unique to visitors.
Head to the Katoomba area to catch a glimpse of the iconic Three Sisters or challenge yourself on the new and meandering Grand Cliff Top Walk. Katoomba is also home to Wentworth Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia and Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world. Blackheath on the other hand, has one of the world’s most popular walking trails — the Grand Canyon Track that features dramatic lookouts, lush rainforest vibes and pretty waterfalls along the way. Plus, find ancient rock art sites and shelters like the Walls Cave here. You will also find the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath which offers comprehensive tips and all the information you need to make the most of the Blue Mountains National Park.
To discover more Aboriginal rock art such as Red Hands Cave or a beautiful wild swimming spot, head to the Glenbrook area which is the eastern gateway to the Blue Mountains National Park and if you want to avoid the crowds the Lower Grose Valley area provides plenty of secluded spots and waterfalls and crowd-free areas to camp.
The Blue Mountains is also a prime spot for outdoor activities like abseiling, canyoning and mountain biking offering stunning canyons to explore, if this is up your alley the Mount Wilson area of the national park is replete with natural wonders and the place to go to discover the vast wilderness of the World-Heritage listed site. The southern Blue Mountains area is perhaps the most underrated of them all but well worth the visit for its wonderful walking trails and secluded campgrounds. Read more about the Blue Mountains National Park here.
The best time to visit
The national park offers an excellent time all year round. From March to May you can enjoy autumnal views, wildflowers and cooler temps, the winter months also offer great bushwalking weather and a chance to see snow in the area if you’re lucky. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How to get there
The Blue Mountains and most of its towns are easily accessible from Sydney both by car and public transport. The Blue Mountains National Park is roughly a 90-minute drive from Sydney via M2 and M4 and trains depart daily from Central with stops in Parramatta and Penrith. If you’re travelling by train, it would take around 2 hours to reach the Katoomba area. Find all the highlights of the park here.