
Katoomba has the allure of a quintessential NSW town with world-famous attractions, popular lookouts, and lovely walking trails. If it’s too cold to be outside, there is plenty to do indoors with art deco buildings and museums, charming cafes and a stellar food and dining scene. Drawing year-round traffic from the entire region, this picturesque town is nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains and on the edge of the most visited national park in NSW so there’s plenty to lure nature lovers and holiday seekers alike. If you’re looking to savour all that makes winter wonderful — think crisp mountain air, cosy festivals, scenic strolls and classic comfort food, this is the right place for you. It’s also conveniently located on Sydney’s doorstep if you’re looking to plan a quick and affordable weekend from the city. Katoomba has also enjoyed snowfall in the last few years so if you’re lucky, you could catch some snow in the area this winter. Here are some of the best things to do in Katoomba.
Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Katoomba is considered the chief town in the Blue Mountains and its most visited. It’s also home to iconic natural wonders like the Three Sisters rock formation, Katoomba Falls and lookouts like Echo Point offering stunning views of the world heritage region. Here’s how to spend a weekend in the area.
1. Visit Scenic World
This year-round attraction is an excellent family-friendly adventure and one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Blue Mountains by day or by night. Offering excellent views that stretch towards the Three Sisters and across canyons, the tourist attraction is home to the steepest railway in the world, which takes passengers through lush greenery and 360-degree views of the mountains, the 2.2km Scenic Walkway for those keen for a meandering rainforest stroll and Scenic Skyway, 270 metres above the valley and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest aerial cable car.
2. Admire the natural scenery
Katoomba is a playground for the outdoorsy type with some of the best landscapes in NSW within easy reach. The Three Sisters is a can’t-miss attraction on the north escarpment of the Jamison Valley and an important cultural site to the Gundangurra, Wiradjuri, Tharawal and Darug nations. You can also go on the easy Three Sisters Walk which will take you up close to the natural monolithic structures. Katoomba Falls is another beautiful spot that cascades down a cliff and is known to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Mountains.
Katoomba is also home to many excellent walking trails including the low-intensity 2.4 km Charles Darwin walk offering rockpools, small waterfalls and native wildlife and the Katoomba Round walk, which is short and easy but not certainly not lacking in views. For something more challenging, try and tackle the multi-day 34km Mount Solitary walk packed with mountain views and bushcamping. A wild swim at the base of Minnehaha Falls is another favourite among locals.
3. Go on the Katoomba night-lit walk
The Katoomba night-lit walk is a star attraction in the area. The 1.5-km walk presents some of the best natural features of the town under moonlight including Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and Katoomba Cascades. Perfect for night owls looking for a nocturnal adventure, the walkway is lit up around dusk and the lights go off at 11pm. Read more about it on the Blue Mountains City Council website.
5. Enjoy the local food scene
If the weather outside is frightful, Katoomba offers plenty of charming restaurants, bars and cafes where you can enjoy the blossoming food scene. The Mountain Culture Brewery is a favourite around town with excellent burgers and beer. Other hotspots to check out include Black Cockatoo Bakery for baked goods, pastries and excellent coffee, The Lookout Echo Point that offers delicious breakfast with a side of stunning mountain views and 8Things Eatery for street food from several corners of the world from Korean to Mexican.
6. Check out the Street Art Walk
Katoomba is a walkable town and the main road offers plenty of heritage architecture and cosy places to discover. A community-driven initiative in the area that throws light on the best street art in town is the Street Art Walk. Created by Street Art Murals Australia (SAMA) in partnership with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and the University of Western Sydney, this self-guided walk features vibrant murals and graffiti by talented local artists. If you’re after more cultural experiences, head to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre which comes with an art gallery, a library and cultural programs, enveloped in gorgeous mountain views.
Read more about Katoomba and find accomodation options here if you wish to stay longer.
Getting to Katoomba
Katoomba is a short and lovely 1.5-hour drive from Sydney via the M4 and the Great Western Highway. It’s also easily accessible by public transport with direct train services from Central straight to Katoomba in just around 2 hours.