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The Perfect Blue Mountains 2 Day Itinerary

How to Spend Two Days in
the Blue Mountains

By James Davies in Australia Guides.

Australia’s Blue Mountains National Park is blessed with truly breathtaking natural beauty. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covering over 4,000 square miles of New South Wales, the Blue Mountains’ is perfect for those looking to take a break from the city. Our two day Blue Mountains itinerary will help you discover the best of this stunning corner of Australia.

What is So Special About the Blue Mountains?

A haven for nature lovers, no matter where you are in the Blue Mountains you’ll never be far from an incredible view.

Countless hiking trails and scenic lookouts can be found throughout the Blue Mountains, where you’re likely to come across many of the region’s colourful birdlife.

The Blue Mountains get their name from the blue haze that rises over the eucalyptus trees that carpets the region – the eucalyptus oil that hangs in the air gives the mountains a distinctive blue appearance.

Also dotted throughout the Blue Mountains regions are several historic towns with pretty high streets which offer plenty of places to eat, drink and shop, as well as places to stay.

Where Are the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains are about 30 miles to the west of Sydney in New South Wales. Well connected by train and by road, the Blue Mountains are a popular side trip from Sydney.

As our two day Blue Mountains itinerary will show, there is plenty to do here to warrant visiting for at least a couple of days.

How Many Days Do You Need in the Blue Mountains?

While many people visit the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney, we would recommend spending at least two days here. If you’re a serious hiker you can easily spend longer exploring the many beautiful trails that weave through the Blue Mountains.

Besides the stunning natural scenery, there are picturesque historic towns such as Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath in the Blue Mountains that are all worth a visit.

Plus there are a number of other attractions in the region that you might want to explore too, such as Everglades House and Gardens or the Hartley Historic Museum.

How to Get to the Blue Mountains

The easiest place to get to the Blue Mountains from by public transport is Sydney.

There are direct trains to Katoomba and Leura from Sydney’s Central Station, with the journey taking just under two hours. The journey costs AU$7.23.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling by car, the drive from Sydney to Katoomba should take around 1 hour 30 minutes via toll roads (depending on the traffic).

If you’re heading to the Blue Mountains from Canberra the drive to Katoomba will take around 4 hours.

There are also several companies that offer tours of the Blue Mountains, typically as a day trip from Sydney. If you’d prefer to take this option you can check out a number of guided trips to the Blue Mountains here.

How to Get Around the Blue Mountains

By Car

By far the best way to travel around the Blue Mountains is by car.

With so many places worth seeing and lots of the region being incredibly remote, you get to see so much more of the Blue Mountains if you have your own set of wheels. Again the easiest place to find a hire car company is in Sydney where a huge number of car hire companies are based.

We always use Discover Cars to get the best deals on car hire whenever we need to rent a car.

👉 You can use Discover Cars to search for and find the best prices on car hire in Sydney here.

By Public Transport

There is some public transport in the Blue Mountains, though if you’re relying on this you’ll be limited as to how much of the region you’ll be able to explore.

There is a regular train service between the main towns of Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls, so travelling between these areas is straightforward.

However, if you plan to venture further to more isolated areas of the Blue Mountains you will struggle.

There are local buses in the Blue Mountains, but services are are infrequent. The public loop bus (route number 698) that runs from Katoomba to Blackheath via Leura and Wentworth Falls is one option for getting around.

This calls at (or near) some of the Blue Mountains’ main sights, such as Echo Point for the Three Sisters lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout. However, be aware that there are only a handful of buses a day.

Alternatively there is the slightly expensive hop-on hop-off explorer bus that visits many of the main sites on a loop between Katoomba and Leura.

Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains

There’s a wide range of accommodation to be found in the Blue Mountains, mostly centred around the towns of Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls.

The majority of accommodation options are either motels or holiday homes, with a few high end hotels also here too.

👉 You can search for accommodation in the Blue Mountains here. If you need a little help, here are a few places that we recommend:

• Affordable – Tully’s Hut: Located on a quiet residential street in Wentworth Falls, Tully’s Hut is a secluded and cosy two-bedroom holiday home complete with all of the essentials needed for a comfortable stay in the Blue Mountains.

• Next level – Katoomba Falls Cottage: If you’re after a home from home in the Blue Mountains, you won’t go wrong with the Katoomba Falls Cottage. This beautiful and fully-stocked three-bedroom holiday home has fabulous interiors and is only a few minutes drive from Katoomba’s main street and the Echo Point Lookout.

• A bit fancy – Chalets at Blackheath: If you’re looking to stay in the lap of luxury check into Chalets at Blackheath. These secluded and beautifully designed modern chalets come stocked full of amenities, including a fireplace, comfortable beds and private outdoor space. The chalets are surrounded by greenery and located a short drive from the fabulous views and walking trails at the Evans Lookout.

Blue Mountains Two Day Itinerary - Day 1:

Start your two-day trip to the Blue Mountains by taking in some of the region’s most jaw-dropping views.

See the Blue Mountains from Scenic World

Begin your visit to the Blue Mountains at Scenic World, one of the Blue Mountains most popular attractions.

Scenic World has a number of different ways to see some of the Blue Mountains’ staggering scenery. These include the Scenic Skyway, the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Railway, all of which let you see some of the region’s most spectacular views from very unique perspectives.

The Scenic Skyway is a glass-floored cable car, glides above the forest canopy. From the Skyway there are panoramic views of the Jamison Valley, including the iconic Three Sisters.

The Scenic Cableway provides a more leisurely ride to the bottom of the Jamison Valley with unobstructed views of the Blue Mountains’ dramatic landscape.

At the bottom of the valley is the Scenic Walkway, an elevated boardwalk that meanders through the lush rainforest, providing close-up views of the Blue Mountains’ beautiful landscape. You can also see remnants of the long-closed Katoomba coal mine.

At the bottom of the valley is the Scenic Railway, which is officially the steepest passenger railway in the world. The railway was originally installed in 1878 to carry coal from the mine.

This much modernised train ride now takes visitors on an incredibly steep and exhilarating journey through the rainforest, descending and ascending at a gradient of up to 52 degrees.

👉 FYI: You can pre-book tickets for Scenic World in advance here.

Hike to Views of Katoomba Falls

From Scenic World there is also access to a series of walking trails that pass through a huge swathe of some of the Blue Mountains’ most enchanting scenery.

The Round Walk trail leads to Juliet’s Balcony, which has a great view of Katoomba Falls, while the Duke and Duchess of York Lookout is a great spot to watch the Scenic Skyway glide above the valley.

More seasoned hikers might be tempted to trek the Furber Steps Walk into the pit of the valley or the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, a seven kilometre hike through much of the Blue Mountains’ most impressive landscape.

Head to Echo Point Lookout to See the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters are easily the most famous natural landmark in the Blue Mountains.

These three rock spires tower majestically above the Jamison Valley and are best seen from Echo Point Lookout at the southern end of Katoomba. From here there are mesmerising views of the Three Sisters and way beyond out across the Blue Mountains.

According to Aboriginal legend, the rock formation represents three sisters who were turned to stone by a wise elder to stop them from marrying men from a rival tribe. The elder died before he could turn the three sisters back from stone, leaving the three iconic rocks that still stand today.

If you want to explore more of the Blue Mountains from Echo Point there are several walking trails nearby that lead to other viewing points with similarly spectacular views across the valley.

The Three Sisters Walking Track descends to the base of the Three Sisters and to the Giant Stairway, which also has similarly wonderful views. The track eventually leads to the hiking trails that wind through the Jamison Valley.

Follow Famous Footsteps Along Darwin’s Walk

Next, explore more of the Blue Mountains’ fabulous scenery with a stroll along Darwin’s Walk.

Darwin’s Walk is named after Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist who walked this same trail when he visited the Blue Mountains in 1836.

Darwin’s Walk is just one section of the much longer Grand Cliff Top Walk, a 19 kilometre trail that connects much of the Blue Mountains between Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.

Darwin’s Walk

Darwin’s Walk begins at Wilson Park in Wentworth Falls. The trail is a relatively easy walk that crisscrosses the Jamison Creek and leads through a beautiful tranquil natural environment that remains largely untouched.

The track consists of bush trails and numerous boardwalks and bridges that pass through sections of forest comprising ferns and banksia trees, usually serenaded by the squawk of cockatoos.

Take in the Views of Wentworth Falls

At the end of the Darwin Trail is the Weeping Rock trail, which leads to the Wentworth Falls. There are wonderful views on to the falls and the Jamison Valley from Fletchers Lookout just a few minutes from the end of the Darwin’s Walk trail.

If you want to continue to hike there are a choice of other trails that pass nearby. You could take the National Pass trail to the Rocket Point Lookout via the Grand Stairway for even more views of Wentworth Falls.

Alternatively, the Wentworth Falls Lookout Track leads to the Wentworth Falls picnic area which has sensational views from the Jamison Lookout.

From there you can also take the short hike to the Princes Rock Lookout which looks directly onto the Wentworth Falls.

See the Sunset at Lincoln’s Rock

End the day with one final breathtaking view at Lincoln’s Rock, ideally just in time for sunset.

Lincoln’s Rock is a huge chunk of flat white rock that faces onto yet more jaw-dropping views of the Blue Mountains and the Jamison Valley. The area is easily reached by car with plenty of parking available nearby.

The views from Lincoln’s Rock alter throughout the day as the sun shifts and the passing clouds create an endlessly changing scene. Being in such an open area also gives Lincoln’s Rock a relatively unique view of the Blue Mountains.

At sunset the view from here is magical as the light moves quickly across the horizon and adds extra drama to the beauty of the valley.　

The edge of the rock is completely unfenced, so be careful near the edge and if you’re travelling with young children make sure to keep an eye on them at all times.

Two Days in the Blue Mountains - Day 2:

On the second of your two days in the Blue Mountains, head to one of the region’s most beautiful houses, do a spot of shopping and see some more stunning views.

See the Splendour of Everglades House & Gardens

Start the day with a visit to Everglades House and Gardens in Leura.

Everglades House is a fantastic Art-Deco home built in the 1930s by renowned Australian architect Paul Sorensen for a wealthy Belgian businessman who settled in the Blue Mountains.

Everglades House’s is a fascinating glimpse of early 20th-century wealth and classic design, and both the exterior and interior of the house are rich in fantastic Art Deco flourishes.

The interior and part of the garden at Everglades House

A beautiful central staircase leads to elegant bedrooms that feature stunning views of the Blue Mountains and the colourful bathrooms would have been the height of luxury for the time.

The gardens at Everglades are just as impressive, situated on five hectares of land and blessed with sensational views over the Blue Mountains. The gardens also include grand formal terraces, a wisteria walk, bluebell woodlands, and cherry blossoms that bloom in springtime.

Everglades also has a tea room where you can enjoy views of the Jamison Valley or sit out in the sunshine in the courtyard.

Easy Views from Sublime Point, Elysian Rock and Olympic Rock Lookout

Near Everglades House are a few very easy to reach viewing points that really should not be missed.

The first is Sublime Point, a five minute drive from Everglades House. The viewing point is only a few minutes walk along a short trail at the end of Sublime Point Road. Next to the lookout are benches where you can enjoy a spot of lunch alongside a dazzling view of the Blue Mountains.

Less than a ten minute drive from Sublime Point are the two lookouts of Elysian Rock and Olympic Rock.

These two lookouts sit side by side on a section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and are both located just off Olympian Parade in Leura and offer the customary spellbinding views over the forested valleys of the Blue Mountains.

Visit Blackheath for Excellent Antique Shopping

Surprisingly the Blue Mountains is a great place to find antiques and all manner of vintage collectables.

There are dozens of vintage and antique stores to be found in each of the main towns of the Blue Mountains. If you dig around you can find some excellent collectable curios to take home as souvenirs from your trip to the Blue Mountains.

While the saying goes that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, be aware that the quality of the antiques in some stores do not live up to their rather hefty prices.

However, one of the best places to find genuine high quality vintage treasures is at Victory Theatre Antique Centre in Blackheath.

Spread across two floors, this vast emporium houses an enormous range of excellent second hand antiques, vintage clothes and jewellery and much much more.

Located in a former theatre (hence the name), you could easily spend hours here perusing the massive collection of trinkets and antiquities.

The Victory Cafe at the front of the store also has an excellent menu of light bites and main meals if you’re feeling peckish.

Walk the Fairfax Heritage Walking Track to Govetts Leap Lookout

From the centre of Blackheath, make your way to the Fairfax Heritage Walking Track.

This easy walking trail cuts through a beautiful section of forest that begins at the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and faces onto the Grose Valley, a less developed and even more untouched area of the Blue Mountains.

Along the trail of the Fairfax Heritage Walking Track

The Fairfax Heritage Walking Track is flat and easy to navigate, gently winding through some of the forest’s diverse range of trees and flora, including the deep red flowers of the waratah and bright yellow banksia.

At the end of the trail are the George Phillips Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout which both have spectacular views over the pristine Grose Valley and Jungle Falls.

See Staggering Views from Anvil Rock Lookout

Next, continue to explore more of some of the lesser visited spots in the Blue Mountains with a stop at the Anvil Rock Lookout.

At the end of a long narrow road about a 15 minute drive from the Fairfax Heritage Walking Track, the Anvil Rock Lookout is a great place to escape the crowds.

From Anvil Rock Lookout there are stunning 360 degree views across the Blue Mountains, including the Grose Valley and the peak of Mount Banks. From here you get an even clearer picture of just how unspoilt and breathtaking the landscape of the Blue Mountains is.

Anvil Rock Lookout is so named because the shape of the rock that stands at the top of the lookout is said to resemble an anvil.

In 1948 a real blacksmith’s anvil was installed on the rock. In the early 1970s the anvil disappeared until it was rediscovered in 2005 about 300 metres in the valley below.

Upon its rediscovery the anvil was then returned to the top of Anvil Rock Lookout.

Marvel at the Wind Eroded Cave

Right next to the car park for the Anvil Rock Lookout is another natural phenomenon, the Wind Eroded Cave, a colossal overhang of wind-worn sandstone.

Weathered away by thousands of years of strong winds, this huge chunk of bright orange and yellow rock towers over the small track that runs alongside it.

If you’re interested in even more great views of the Grose Valley, drive on for a few extra minutes from the Anvil Rock Lookout to Perrys Lookdown. This viewpoint is a little closer to the Grose Valley but is no less spectacular.

If you’re in the mood for a pretty arduous and steep hike then you can hit the Perrys Lookdown Walking Track that leads into the Blue Gum Forest in the valley below.

Extra Things to Do in the Blue Mountains

Here are a few more ideas for things to see and do that we couldn’t quite fit into our two day Blue Mountains itinerary

Hartley Historic Village

Hartley Historic Site is made up of several well-preserved colonial settlement buildings that offer a glimpse into the lives of European settlers in 19th-century Australia . The original town was established in the 1830s, and today the Hartley Historic Site features many of its original buildings, including the Hartley Courthouse, the Old Hartley School, as well as inns and several early homes.

The Jenolan Caves

Although they’re currently closed due to the repairs needed following recent floods in the area, the Jenolan Caves promise to be a must-see when they eventually reopen. This huge network of beautiful limestone caves are the most visited in Australia and are thought to be amongst some of the oldest in the world. The caves and the Jenolan Caves House are currently due to reopen sometime around late 2026.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Blue Mountains?

The best time to visit the Blue Mountains will largely depend on what you want to experience, but generally spring (from September to November) and autumn (from March to May) are considered ideal.

During both seasons the weather is usually mild and pleasant with lots of blue skies, making it perfect for sightseeing and for hiking.

Spring is especially lovely as the wildflowers are in bloom, adding vibrant colours to the area’s already stunning landscape. Autumn, on the other hand, offers cooler temperatures and stunning foliage as the leaves change colours.

Summer can be quite warm and is typically much more crowded than at other times of the year.

Winter can be chilly and potentially snowy, but if you don’t mind the cold, it’s also a quieter time with beautiful, crisp days and fewer tourists.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

The Blue Mountains are occasionally prone to extreme forms of weather. Heavy rains in April 2024 caused severe floods to parts of the Blue Mountains, most notably affecting the Jenolan Caves area.

It’s also not uncommon for hiking trails to be closed in the interests of public safety after periods of heavy rain if they are at risk of landslides.

The Blue Mountains has also suffered with bush fires in the past, with the most devastating fires happening in January 2020. Though severely damaged by the fires, thankfully the forests have now almost fully recovered.

I’m James, the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between. Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here.

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