48 hours in the Blue Mountains
Day 1 in the Blue Mountains
Morning – Katoomba's must-see spots
Echo Point lookout & the Three Sisters
As soon as you arrive in Katoomba, drop your bags at YHA Blue Mountains, located in the heart of town and just 10 minutes' walk from the train station. This beautifully restored art deco building began life as a guesthouse and cabaret hall over a century ago, and is the ideal place to base yourself for your two-day adventure.
Echo Point should be your first priority – the iconic lookout over the Three Sisters is 20 minutes on foot from the YHA and the centre of Katoomba, and makes for a fantastic introduction to the stunning landscapes and dizzying valleys of the Blue Mountains.
While you'll run into plenty of daytrippers and tour buses trying to cram the sights into a few hours, you’ve got the whole day ahead of you, so take your time. Walk down the Giant Stairway, past the Three Sisters, then walk across the valley floor and head back to the top via the Scenic Railway. This theme park-esque attraction is the steepest passenger train in the world with a 52-degree incline.
If you’re trying to tone your calves, you can tackle the staircase’s 800 steps on the way back up from the valley instead.
The Scenic Railway, Katoomba | Image: Destination NSW
Afternoon – Exploring Leura
Either head back to your accommodation for lunch, or grab a bite in Katoomba village – there are a number of quaint and scrumptious offerings along Katoomba St. Once you've fuelled up, return to the cliff’s edge to wander along the Prince Henry Cliff walk, which links Katoomba Falls to Gordon Falls via the Leura Cascades and Bridal Veil Falls. This is a short and leisurely route, with burbling creeks, luscious flora and stunning glimpses over the valley.
Spend the rest of the arvo taking in the tree-lined streets of Leura, the charming sister town of Katoomba, flush with boutique cafes, book shops, antique emporiums and handicraft stores. One of the prettiest hamlets in the Blue Mountains, Leura is full of heritage buildings and rose gardens and has an old world charm all unto itself.
Aerial view of Leura | Image: Destination NSW
Evening – Night walks and cosy vibes
Take the opportunity to get dinner in Leura or Katoomba (there are plenty of options within a few minutes' walk of YHA Blue Mountains), or if you're feeling thrifty, you can always grab supplies at the local supermarket and cook up a storm in the YHA's guest kitchen.
If you've still got some energy, consider a night-time adventure at the nearby Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk. This paved 1.5km path and its surrounds are illuminated with floodlights until 11:00pm nightly, making for a unique experience. Be sure to bring a jumper, though – evenings are chilly in the Blue Mountains, even in the middle of summer.
Night walk at Katoomba Falls
Whether you're up for the night walk or not, there's a nice comfy bed and a roaring fireplace waiting for you back at your accommodation, rather than a draining two-hour bus trip so you can keep exploring to your heart’s content well into the evening – or until your legs give out!
Day 2 in the Blue Mountains
Morning – Cliffs, canyons and caves
Breakfast at YHA Blue Mountains
After fuelling up with a continental breakfast at YHA Blue Mountains (and caffeinating as needed), saddle up for an adrenaline-pumping day of canyoning with High and Wild. This long-running Blue Mountains staple offers abseiling, canyoning, rock climbing and more, and offers YHA members a 10% discount.
If you're game, set off early on a canyoning adventure. High n Wild have been taking visitors on hair-raising journeys through the Blue Mountains since 1989, including thrilling tours down canyons as tall as 30 metres. Lunch is provided, but bring your own swimwear, shoes that can get wet, and nerves of steel.
Sound a bit too intense? Take a trip to Jenolan Caves instead. Some of the most ancient limestone caves discovered anywhere in the world are located just 90 minutes’ drive from Katoomba, with 10 spectacular ‘show caves’ open for the public to explore. Note that Jenolan Caves is closed in 2025 for major road repairs.
For a totally different cave experience, if you allow enough time you can also check out Glow Worm Tunnel in Wollemi National Park, encrusted with the soft bioluminescent light of thousands of glow worms.
Canyoning with High and Wild | Image: Destination NSW
Afternoon – Choose your own adventure
If you went with either of the two options above, you'll most likely be occupied well into the late afternoon, but there are plenty of other things to do in Katoomba and surrounds if you opted for a less ambitious morning activity.
Head back to Scenic World (of Scenic Railway fame) to check out the Scenic Skyway – a 270m-high cable car boasting stunning views, or for more bushwalking, look slightly further afield in Wentworth Falls (just past Leura) to experience one of the most impressive cascades in the Blue Mountains.
Want to take it easy? Visit the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre to check out local art exhibitions and a museum section about the history of the region, or peruse the quirky boutiques and coffee shops on Katoomba's main street.
The Scenic Skyway, Katoomba | Image: Destination NSW
Evening – Saying goodbye (for now)
After enjoying two adventurous days of cascades, cliffs, caves and canyons in the Blue Mountains, it’s time to depart. Trains at Katoomba station go straight back to Sydney in just 2 hours, and the drive is even shorter.
As you settle in for your journey home, pat yourself on the back for having done this spectacular place justice in less than 48 hours.
Read next: 7 amazing short walks near Katoomba
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