Blue Mountains at a Glance
The Blue Mountains is an area of spectacular natural beauty just west of Sydney.
The Blue Mountains region has been a mountain retreat for generations. Australian and international visitors travel to the Blue Mountains to experience the spectacular scenery, fresh mountain air, cultural activities, award-winning cafes and restaurants, and the hospitality of the region’s hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs.
The main towns along the Blue Mountains escarpment are Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls. Further afield are Oberon, Lithgow and the Jenolan Caves. All offer fine accommodation and make a good base for exploring the region.
With a busy calendar of festivals and events, the Blue Mountains attracts visitors to experience open gardens, film, music, art, fine food and wine.
Blue Mountains World Heritage Listed Area
In November 2000 the Greater Blue Mountains area was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for its outstanding natural value, its unique eucalypt forests and the beauty of its natural landscapes. It covers an area of over 1 million hectares and includes eight national parks:
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Kanangra Boyd National Park
- Wollemi National Park
- Gardens of Stone National Park
- Yengo National Park
- Nattai National Park
- Thirlmere Lakes National Park
- Jenolan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve
This huge wilderness area - on Sydney’s doorstep - offers outstanding scenery and many outdoor activities including bushwalking, horseriding and 4WD tours. For the more adventurous there is abseiling, canyoning and rock climbing.
Visiting the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is about a two hour drive from Sydney. If you have your own car, there are many scenic drives in the area. Alternatively the region is accessible by rail and bus and there are many organised tours in the mountains and from Sydney.
Blue Mountains Accommodation
To really appreciate the Blue Mountains, we recommend staying a few days. Blue Mountains accommodation establishments are famous for their hospitality. Stay in a cosy B&B, guesthouse, luxury hotel or self-contained cottage and take time to see all the region has to offer.
Ready to plan your holiday adventure? Search for Blue Mountains accommodation.
Blue Mountains Towns & Villages
Driving to the Blue Mountains from Sydney along the Great Western Highway, the sequence of towns and villages will be:
Lower Blue Mountains
Lapstone
Glenbrook
Blaxland
Warrimoo
Sun Valley
Valley Heights
Springwood
Faulconbridge
Mid Blue Mountains
Linden
Woodford
Hazelbrook
Lawson
Bullaburra
Upper Blue Mountains
Wentworth Falls
Leura
Katoomba
Medlow Bath
Blackheath
Mount Victoria
Bell
Greater Blue Mountains Region
Megalong Valley
Hartley Valley
Kanimbla Valley
Jenolan Caves
Oberon
Lithgow
Wolgan Valley
Returning to Sydney via the Bells Line of Road
Clarence
Mt Wilson - Mt Irvine
Mt Tomah
Bilpin
Kurrajong Heights
Kurrajong
