Blue Mountains Attractions
See all the attractions at Blue Mountains!
With so much to see and do when visiting the Blue Mountains, we have provided you with a few suggestions of what not to miss whilst visiting the region.
For more information please visit the Official Blue Mountains Tourism website http://www.visitbluemountains.com.au/
THREE SISTERS
The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Located at Echo Point Katoomba, around 2.5 kilometres from the Great Western Highway, this iconic visitor attraction is experienced by millions of people each year.
The Three Sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. The Three Sisters is also floodlit until around 11pm each evening looking simply spectacular set against the black background of the night sky.
Each of the Three Sisters stand at 922, 918 & 906 metres tall, respectively. That's over 3000 feet above sea level!
The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.
The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.
As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come.
Location: Echo Point
Parking Meters at Echo Point ; Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm 1st Hour $3.80 Then $4.40 per hour
WARADAH ABORIGINAL CENTRE
Imagine witnessing Australian Aboriginal culture in a contemporary gallery; with dance and didgeridoo performances, authentic artworks, and authentic souvenirs.
Learn about Australia’s living Aboriginal culture from the local Dharug and Gundungurra tribes through informal cultural discussions and lectures. Waradah Aboriginal Centre offers a once in a lifetime Aboriginal experience in one location.
The Waradah Aboriginal Centre is the ultimate experience in Aboriginal culture. Farid is very proud to present this unique experience to all international and local visitors, schools, and businesses; where people are invited to come and share Australian Aboriginal culture in a wonderful setting.
Hours of operation: 7 days a week 9am to 5pm
Location: World Heritage Plaza, 33-37 Echo Point Road, Katoomba
Enquiries: 02 4782 1979
http://waradahaboriginalcentre.com.au/
SCENIC WORLD
Discover the thrill of a 52 degree incline riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway.
A whole new visitor experience awaits, with glass-roofed red carriages offering expansive views of the rainforest setting and spectacular Jamison Valley.
Custom designed carriages allow passengers to choose their own adventure like never before, adjusting their seated position up to 20 degrees! Choose an adventurous ‘Cliffhanger’ ride at a steep 64 degree incline, or for those seeking a relaxed journey select the ‘Laid Back’ option. Of course, loyal fans can still ride the ‘Original’ at 52 degrees.
The Railway experience descends 310 metres through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging into ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor.
Prices start from $35 per person
Enquiries: (02) 4780 0200
Address: 1 Violet Street (off the Cliff Drive), Katoomba
http://www.scenicworld.com.au/
JENOLAN CAVES
Open daily, award-winning Jenolan Caves are the world’s oldest caves, and are considered Australia’s most outstanding. Friendly guides will show you through your choice of 10 spectacular show caves, for all ages and fitness levels. Plus there are night tours, ghost tours, Adventure Caving, self-guided tour, bush walks, underground concerts, and kids tours (in NSW school holidays).
There are family and seniors discounts, plus a wide range of food and accommodation - something for everyone!
Location: Jenolan Caves – approx 1 hour from Katoomba
Address: 4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves
Enquires: 1300 76 33 11
http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANTIC GARDEN, MOUNT TOMAH
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is located in the World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains on the summit of a basalt-capped peak, 1,000 metres above sea level. The 252 acre garden has a large collection of plants from around the world, particularly the southern hemisphere, and is the ‘cool climate garden’ of the Royal Botanic Gardens Trust.
Location:Mount Tomah
Visiting information
Open 9am-5.30pm (9.30am weekends and public holidays) every day except Christmas Day.
Entry is free
No pets allowed in the Garden
Enquiries 02 4567 3000
Address: Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah
Directions
Follow Bells Line of Road from Richmond or Lithgow through the Blue Mountains. Mount Tomah is 40km west of Richmond - look out for the signs. There is no public transport to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.
http://www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au/
BLUE MOUNTAINS CULTURAL CENTRE
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre features the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery and World Heritage Exhibition which is devoted to education about the distinctive environment, history and culture of the Blue Mountains region. The Cultural Centre is co-located with the new Katoomba Library.
The Cultural Centre showcases innovative, diverse, distinctive and creative cultural programs for enjoyment by residents of, and visitors to, the Blue Mountains.
Built on the highest point in Katoomba with panoramic views of the World Heritage area, it links the main shopping precinct on Katoomba Street through enhanced pedestrian connections.
Being the first publicly owned and managed, purpose designed facility of the arts to be constructed in the Blue Mountains, it is expected that the development will significantly contribute to the improvement of the economic health and cultural vitality of the Blue Mountains and the surrounding regions.
Hours of operation
Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday + Sunday – 10am – 4pm
Public Holidays – 10am – 2pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Enquiries: 02 4780 5410
Address: Parke Street, Katoomba
http://bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au/
NATIONAL TRUST NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY AND MUSEUM
The Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum Shop is operated by The National Trust and dedicated to providing visitors to this property, and Web Site, with the opportunity to purchase original and authenticated facsimile reproductions of Norman Lindsay's work. Original Woodblock Prints, Limited Edition Watercolour Prints and Facsimile Etchings are displayed within the Gallery Shop pages. Books and publications by Norman Lindsay and about Norman Lindsay's work are also represented and available for purchase.
Location:Faulconbridge
Address: 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge
Enquiries: 02 4751 1067
http://www.normanlindsay.com.au/
JOSOPHAN’S FINE CHOCOLATE SHOP
Created onsite in the beautiful Blue Mountains, Josophan’schocolates are made with beautiful FAIRTRADE CERTIFIED Belgian couverture chocolate. We are passionate about our fresh chocolates at Josophan's, and refuse to compromise quality to extend the shelf life of our chocolates. Our chocolates, being freshly made, without the use of artificial flavours or preservatives. Josophan’sfine chocolates are handcrafted … with a belief that the way we treat our chocolate ultimately benefits the end product.
Location:Leura
Address: 132 Leura Mall, Leura
Enquiries: 02 4784 2031
FEATHERDALE WILDLIFE PARK
Featherdale Wildlife Park at Doonside (near Blacktown) is Sydney’s ultimate interactive wildlife experience. The Park is conveniently located just 40mins from Sydney’s CBD and is en route to the famous Blue Mountains. Winner of Major Tourist Attraction Award at the Tourism NSW Awards in 2009. Cuddle up to a koala and hand feed a kangaroo at any time of day.
Situated on 7 acres of natural bush setting and home to the world’s largest collection of Australian native animals, you are able to get up close and personal with over 2,200 animals from more than 330 different species. Cuddle up to a koala, hand feed kangaroos, emus & wallabies at any time of the day. Meet 'Ngukhur' a 4 1/2 metre saltwater crocodile, visit the Ghost Bat & Bilby Nocturnal Exhibit, Farmyard Nursery, Reptilian Pavilion, Tasmanian devils, dingos, echidnas, wombats, little penguins, a diverse range of birds and much more. A cafe, BBQ & picnic facilities are available as well as an award winning souvenir shop. Featherdale is ideally suited for young and old alike as the park is level throughout and provides both baby changing and disabled facilities.
Hours of operation: Open daily 9am-5pm.
Address: 217 – 229 Kildare Road, Doonside (near Blacktown)
Phone: 02 9622 1644
Directions: Via the M7 or M4: Take the Wallgrove Road exit and follow the brown tourist signs straight to the park.
http://www.featherdale.com.au/
