Adventures of Arielle

Travelling the world on a budget.

Things To Do In The Blue Mountains: Complete Guide

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Before we talk about the Blue Mountains you should know, this page may contain affiliates. However, I will never recommend resources which I do not find helpful or useful to myself. For more information on what this means please see my Disclaimers and Policies page. 

Surrounded by the slate coloured haze that gave them their name, the iconic Blue Mountains of New South Wales are a peaceful getaway from Sydney. The trademark blue haze comes from oil given off by the eucalyptus trees that frequent the region. A network of walking trails with captivating viewpoints stretches throughout the Blue Mountains. It is possible to visit on a day trip but this scenic area deserves more attention.

Public transport can be used to get to the area. Once in Katoomba, the main town, there is a hop on, hop off Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. This will transport you to many stops throughout the Katoomba and Leura area. For a bit more freedom, consider a car/van as you will be able to reach more bushwalks and complete things at your own leisurely pace. The mountains are a simple drive up the M4, if coming from Sydney. In either case, it should not take more than two hours to reach Katoomba.

Things to Do:

Activities:

  • Street Art Walk: If bushwalking is not your thing, there is a short but sweet Street Art Walk in Katoomba that might interest you.
three sisters street art Katoomba
Three Sisters Street Art in Katoomba. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Scenic World: While we opted out of this popular attraction in favour of more bushwalking, many people find it quite enthralling. There are four main attractions: a cable car, a train ride, a skyway, and a walkway. The train was pretty tempting after our trek down the Giant’s Staircase but we persevered and walked up the Furber Steps instead.
  • Jenolan Caves border between the Blue Mountains National Parks and the Kanangara-Boyd National Park. Many of the tours here are paid; however, you will drive through a cave on your way in. Plus, the Visitor Centre can provide you with a map to a simple, free walk to the Nettle Cave and Devils Coach House. This will give you a pleasant taste of the caves if the guided tours are not in your budget (They were not in mine, so I feel you).
Nettle Cave Blue Mountains
The entrance to Nettle Cave, a free self-guided cave in the Jenolan region. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens and Restaurant: We did not make it here but they are renowned for being the highest Botanic Gardens in Australia. If I ever find myself in the Blue Mountains again, I will be sure to check them out.


Look Outs:

  • Echo Point: The most common starting point in the Blue Mountains, Echo Point offers a great view of The Three Sisters. It tends to be a bit crowded as it is one of the most coveted ways of visiting the sisters. If, like me, simply looking at a viewpoint and leaving is not quite enough then stay tuned because many bushwalks begin from here as well.
The Three Sisters, Katoomba
The Three Sisters viewed from Echo Point. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Sublime Point: Quieter but no less stunning, this viewpoint in Leura will leave you feeling content
  • Evans Lookout: On the drive towards Blackheath, a quick stop at Evans Lookout will give you a different perspective of the mountains.
Evans Lookout Blue Mountains
The captivating view from Evans Lookout. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Valley View Lookout: Found near Evans Lookout, this offers similarly stunning views.
  • Govetts Leap Lookout: A popular lookout for visitors to Blackheath.
  • Rocket Point Lookout: This is a lookout from Wentworth Falls, so it does require a bit of walking to get to. Once there, the lookout can be found on the opposite side of the falls.
  • Kanangara Walls- Technically, found in the Kanangara-Boyd National park adjoining the Blue Mountains. This viewpoint is worth a detour if you plan on visiting the Jenolan Caves during your visit.
kanangra walls blue mountains
The Kanangra Walls Blue Mountains. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.

Bushwalking Safety:

  • Wear closed toe shoes. There are snakes and spiders that can kill you out there. However, they are not as commonly spotted as the world would have you believe.
  • Avoid longer grass. Long grass serves as a bit of a snake haven.
  • Stomp occasionally or walk a bit heavy footed. Snakes can feel the vibrations from your feet and will know to avoid you.
  • Use a walking stick. At the very least, when used correctly they help conserve energy. We also heard from someone that snakes will occasionally attack the sticks rather than you if you inadvertently make them feel threatened. We do not typically use a walking stick though.
  • While it is important to talk about how to protect yourself from a potential snake or spider bite, do not let this scare you off. In four months of being in Australia, we have only come across one snake on a bushwalk and he slithered off in the other direction. You would be remiss to skip out on bushwalks due to fear. Generally, we stomp if we see that the path is narrow and longer grass is beside it. Or jokingly, any time we feel slightly uncomfortable. For more information on snakes check this out.
  • Bring lots of sunscreen, water, and snacks. Many of these walks do not provide places to stop along the way to replenish your supplies.
  • For more information on bushwalking safety, check this out!

The Visitor Centre at Echo Point will provide you with maps (for a fee) and at the very least go over some options for walking trails to suit you. Before you start any hike, it is a good idea to take a picture of the map. Australian walking tracks are not as clearly marked as I have become accustomed to in Canada.  In addition, let people know your plans. This is especially important if you plan to engage on any longer walks as they may be less frequented by fellow walkers.

Short Walks

  • The Gully Walk (1km): A very easy walk to experience Aboriginal Culture.
  • Prince Henry Cliff Walk (7km one way): This can be broken up into a smaller portion just to get a taste of it. We did not end up doing the whole walk but the parts we did were fantastic.
  • Honeymoon Bridge(550m): From Echo Point, you can walk down to the Honeymoon Bridge, which takes you to one of the Three Sisters.
honeymoon bridge Katoomba
One of The Three Sisters on the walk down to Honeymoon Bridge. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Furber Steps (2.4 km)- Can be a bit steep but alternative option to paying for the Scenic World train back up to the top. Quite lovely views.
  • Wentworth Falls via Undercliff Track (3.5 km): This short walk to the falls offers great views along the way. Wentworth Falls themselves were running low when we visited but that did not take away from the stunning scenery. Look for the Rocket Point lookout for a new perspective.

    Wentworth Falls found in the Blue Mountains
    Wentworth Falls found in the Blue Mountains. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.

Half Day Walks

  • The Grand Canyon (5 km): This walk sets out from the Evans Lookout point. We did not get a chance to do it but it is listed as have some strenuous ascent and descent but that it is well worth it.
  • Golden Stairs Walk (8km): Leaving from Scenic World this walk takes you to the Ruined Castle (a rock formation).
  • Giants Stairway (4.7km one-way): Leaving from the Honeymoon Bridge area, this is approximately 900 steep steps. It slaughtered my legs. At the bottom you are faced with optional walking tracks or going back up them. Going down the staircase can be a lovely start to some other walks. We took the Furber Steps back to the top after a brief stop at Katoomba Falls.
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.

Long Walks

Six Foot Track- This is an overnight hike, with campsites along the way for the more adventurous soul. We did not attempt it as we are not properly set up for overnight hiking. However, we would love to do it one day. A small portion of it can be done from Blackheath to a suspension bridge.


Where to Eat in the Blue Mountains

After all that bushwalking, you will probably be wondering where to grab some food. There is both a Woolworths and a Coles, for any groceries you may need. If you are not up to cooking, then here are my top three food spots in Katoomba.

  • The Yellow Deli: The Yellow Deli offers nutrition but not at the expense of flavour. The bread that served alongside the chili was divine. Plus, they have delectable drinks such as a dandelion latte.
hearty chill in Blue Mountains
This hearty chilli from The Yellow Deli was perfect for a rainy day. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.
  • Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza: The name says it all. Come here for a creative twist on woodfired pizzas with options to suit every palate.
  • Gingerbread Café: Offering simple but tasty sandwiches, this is a great stop for lunch. The true glory; however, is the monstrous desserts. The carrot cake was our favourite but we could not help browsing the candy selection.

As a budget traveller, I tend to limit eating out to once or twice per week and aspire to cook the rest of my meals. Sadly, this makes it hard to try everything.  Where are your favourite places to eat in the Blue Mountains?

Shopping in the Blue Mountains

If any of your camping goods break or you find you need something, there is also a Salvos and a Vinnies here for a quick thrift shop stop.

Otherwise, there are a variety of camping stores for vital purchases.

What to Pack for the Blue Mountains

Even on a hot day it can be quite chilly overnight. So, pack warm and cold clothes. For me, my Kathmandu coat was a life saver.

We went in October and had the weird experience of misting rain. Essentially, it was impossible to escape, it was like the rain was clinging to the area, longing to attach itself to you from every possible direction. In the winter, the Blue Mountains may also get snow.

The Blue Mountains come for the views but stay for the array of walks and waterfalls. For more on where to stay, including FREE campsites, you might be interested in perusing this article.

Wildlife Watch

Our first Kangaroo and Joey
We spotted this kangaroo along the side of the road. It was our first wild kangaroo spotting.  Shot with my iPhone 6s

We spotted kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats in the Blue Mountains. As always, take caution when driving and avoid any driving at dusk or dawn as that is when these animals are most active.

What are your favourite things to do in the Blue Mountains?

What I Never Bushwalk Without:

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Your Guide to the Best Blue Mountains Camping Spots

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This page may contain affiliates. However, I will never recommend resources which I do not find helpful or useful to myself. For more information on what this means please see my Disclaimers and Policies page.

Located about two hours west of Sydney The Blue Mountains make for an ideal weekend camping spot. The best way of getting there is to simply drive up the M4; however, the area is also readily accessible by public transit. The Blue Mountains are a network of mountains with towns scattered throughout. As such, driving makes it a bit easier to get around. But, if taking personal transportation just is not feasible public transportation can be taken to Katoomba. From there, there is a hop on, hop off Blue Mountains Explorer bus. Other public transit stops include Wentworth Falls, Leura Station, Medlow Bath Station and Blackheath station. However, orienting yourself for camping around these areas may be more difficult via public transportation.

The Blue Mountains host a variety of camping options. These range from minimal amenities to caravan parks. Blackheath Glen is a bit more low-key than Katoomba, but it may be more necessary to have a vehicle for ease of transportation. If you are not trying to escape the tourism bumble then staying in Katoomba will keep you closer to a lot of things to do. The Blue Mountains camping sites range from free to paid caravan parks. The main differences lie in the amenities offered by the sites.


Free Campsites in the Blue Mountains

There are a few free campsites in the Blue Mountains, we will start here because who doesn’t like free? If you choose these options make sure to bring lots of your own drinking water, toilet paper, sturdy garbage bags, and cooking supplies. Often, the free campsites are fairly limited with amenities. Also, since they are free, they tend to fill up quickly so plan to get there around dinner time for a good spot.

  • Blackheath Glen Reserve- This campsite offers pit toilets, garbage disposal, and is suitable for all types of vehicles. Plus, the drive down is quite lovely. This is a smaller campsite and it can get quite full early on in the evening. Plan to come here early if you wish to have a good spot. The space itself does not offer much for privacy (Typical of free campsites). But, we ended up spending quite a few nights here. We had slightly limited cell phone service with our Telstra data plan. Basically, we could sporadically get service.
  • Old Ford Reserve- This campsite offers pit toilets and is suitable for all types of vehicles. It is actually located just a bit further up the road from the Blackheath Glen Reserve, which is handy should they be full. This space is fairly wide open with limited privacy but its free! We stayed here for one night to mix things up and had a pleasant evening. There are a fair amount of picnic tables. We even saw our first wombat in Australia here. Plus, we had some cell phone service with Telstra.
  • Mt York- is another free campsite offering pit toilets, suitable for all types of vehicles. We did not personally stay here but if you have let me know what it is like in the comments! I am going to check it out the next time I am in the area.
  • Cathedral Reserve- Again, we did not personally stay here but it offers toilets and claims to be suitable for all vehicle types. Have you ever stayed here?
  • Boyd River Campground- This is a free campsite that is not technically in the Blue Mountains but is nearby to the Jenolan Caves. So if you were planning a trip to check out the caves this is a possible place to stay for the night. There are pit toilets and it is accessible by a van but the road can be a bit bumpy. We had no Telstra cell phone service. This campsite was close to the Kanangra Walls, which are worth checking out if you are in the area.
kanangra walls blue mountains camping
The Kanangra Walls Blue Mountains Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.

For more free sites around Australia, check out the CamperMate app. It is one of the main tools we use to find camping around Australia.

Paid Campsites 

If the idea of drop toilets, removing your own garbage, and no showers horrifies you then there are some more options. Our general camping strategy for Australia has been to cling to the free campsites until the need for a shower and/or laundry gets too strong. We then retreat to the paid campsites for a night. But, if this strategy does not work for you, have no fear! Some paid Blue Mountains Camping sites include:

  • Katoomba Falls Tourist Park– This campsite is conveniently located essentially in Katoomba. They offer flush toilets, showers, laundry, drinkable water, garbage disposal and a camp kitchen. Payment is made online. This is where we stayed for our first few nights testing out the van. As it had amenities it was a nice way of breaking up the free spots. With Telstra, we also found that we had cell phone service!
  • Blackheath Glen Tourist Park– Offers toilets, showers, laundry, garbage disposal, and a camp kitchen. We did not stay here personally; however, it sounds like a typical caravan park.
  • Jenolan Caravan Park– Jenolan Caravan Park offers laundry, showers, garbage disposal, and BBQs. Again, we did not personally stay here but reviews are good?
Three Sisters Blue Mountains, short camping d
The Three Sisters are a short drive from the Katoomba Tourist Park. Shot with my Sony a6000 camera.


Paid Accommodations in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are accessible by public transport making this an excellent escape from Sydney for a weekend. Or, if camping just is not your thing, then here are a few more accommodation options.

  • Blue Mountains Backpacker Hostel– The hostel is in a great spot in Katoomba, the staff is friendly, the common areas and kitchen are massive. This is a pretty nice hostel to stay at if you enjoy cooking for yourself and hanging out in a common room. We spent a night here as we got to the mountains late and wanted something easier than tracking down a campsite.
  • Blue Mountains YHA– Another Katoomba option that offers a good location in the thick of things with laundry and a fair sized kitchen.
  • The Flying Fox Hostel– Nearby the Katoomba station this could be a potentially good option if you are using public transportation.

There are also a plethora of hotels to stay at. As a budget traveller, I rarely grace hotels with my presence so I’m definitely out of my element referring you towards any. But, they are not hard to find in the Blue Mountains.

Heading to the Blue Mountains? Find out what else there is to do there.

Have you come across any other campsites in the Blue Mountains that you enjoyed? Tell me about them in the comments.

What I Never Go Anywhere Without:

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How To Guide: The Best Ways to Find Australian Backpacking Vans

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Before we talk about vans you should know, this page may contain affiliates. However, I will never recommend resources which I do not find helpful or useful to myself. For more information on what this means please see my Disclaimers and Policies page. 

If you are spending a year in Australia on your Working Holiday Visa, then you will likely be interested in seeing as much of the country as possible. The easiest way of doing this by acquiring a vehicle. Quite often you will see work vans that have been converted for travellers. These vehicles are typically older and a bit rougher around the edges. Sadly, the dream Kombi is quite expensive. But you can always sell your van and get some money back unless something goes terribly wrong. This fact does make it more financially practical.

On the other hand, renting a vehicle is a viable option if you are short on time or only want to see one particular area for a week or two. However, this can become a money drain as you will not be able to re-rent the vehicle and get back some of your expenses.

Perks of Renting a Vehicle:

  • Firstly, the biggest perk is that you will not be responsible for breakdowns and repairs.
  • Secondly, there is no stress about the rego.
  • Thirdly, parking in cities can be horrendous.
  • Finally, you could just fly to a new city and rent a vehicle for the weekend anyway. Or, do a tour of a desired area and be carefree.

However, I cannot vouch for any of rental companies as we purchased a van outright. But, always read reviews of the companies before you rent. There have been some scandals regarding rental companies providing vans that are not roadworthy to unsuspecting renters. Despite all of those benefits, I do still recommend buying a vehicle. The freedom is well, freeing.


Perks of Buying a Vehicle:

Buying a vehicle will afford you different freedoms which you will not have with a rental. You can decorate it as you please. If you do not like something about the set up, you are free to change it as well. You are in charge of driving plans or road stops. Some rental companies will charge a low fee for you to essentially move the vehicle to a new location. However, this means sticking to a stricter time budget.

If you decide to purchase a vehicle (Which I am super in favour of and have no regrets about our decision to do so), then you may have some questions about where to find the best vans.

buy used vehicle in Australia as backpacker
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

What Are the Common Options for Buying a Vehicle?:

  • 4WD: These vehicles are necessary for some of the Australian roads. However, space in the vehicle may be more limited. Often, people add a rooftop tent or camp on the ground. This means that there will potentially be more daily set up and tear down if you are living in the vehicle regularly. However, the ability to visit more places is definitely a bonus. Plus, from what we have observed, the rooftop tents do not take long to set up. Unfortunately, this is also one of the more expensive options.
  • Caravan: Quite often you will see vans which have been converted to a living space. This is one of the most popular options. There can be more space and storage. The prices usually are not too bad either. Some of the common options are: Mitsubishi Expresses, Toyota Hiaces, or Mitsubishi Delicas. As a general rule, getting a more common vehicle will make it easier to find parts for it in the event something breaks down. We have been travelling in a van and it has been quite nice. There is minimal set up everyday and we can pack up and leave at any moment.
  • Station wagon: There are some people who simply sleep in the back of cars as well. This seems a bit more cramped and again, would result in daily organization.

What Should You Watch Out for When Buying Vans or Any Other Vehicle?:

  • Stick to your budget.
  • Mileage- You do not necessarily want a vehicle with a ton of kilometres on it.
  • Age of the car.
  • Air Conditioning- We bought an older van without even having the thought cross our mind and there have definitely been a few times we would have liked it.
  • Any odd noises- Take the vehicle for a test drive and listen carefully. Any noises that should not be there could indicate that something is wrong. Even better if you can find someone who knows a bit about vehicles to test drive with you.
  • Look underneath the vehicle for fluid leaks.
  • Check the fluids such as oil. For instance, low oil could be a sign that the previous owner has not maintained the vehicle.
  • Comfort- Can you sleep comfortably in this space for weeks on end?
  • Storage- Is there enough space to keep all of your things? Roof racks are quite expensive to add later but if you have over packed you may find you want them.
  • Solar panels are a nice benefit if you happen to find a van with them (It can be expensive to set up otherwise).
  • Where is the vehicle registered? This is important because at some point during your trip you may need to re-register the vehicle in its home state.
  • How much rego (registration) is left? It is easier to extend a rego than to let it expire. Ensure that you can be in the state it is registered to before expiry.
  • Check for a roadworthy certificate.
  • Does it come with everything you need? Many of the vehicles listed online are being sold by other backpackers who are getting ready to leave the country. This means that they may come with all of the camping gear you need. Ultimately, this will save you a lot of money as acquiring said things can add up fast.
buying used vehicle in australia guide
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

State Laws for Used Vehicles:

Each state has different rules about registering a vehicle. As these are subject to change, it is best to reference the websites directly. Sadly, I am not an expert on the differences between regos.

Review the policies for the state you are planning on buying in and ensure that all necessary documents will be available to you before you purchase the vehicle. New South Wales requires a yearly roadworthy inspection in order to register the vehicle. While this is an added cost, it also means that the vehicles are inspected more frequently than Western Australia vehicles with no similar requirements. Some of the policies (like mandatory roadworthy certificates), while strict and annoying, may actually work in your favour.


So, where do you begin looking for vans?

A combination of searching on these websites will find you the van you’re looking for. We found that vehicles tend to sell quickly. So, sometimes it takes a few tries to find the vehicle that is perfect for you. Do not be discouraged if the first car you test drive is not the ideal one, or gets sold to the next driver. The market constantly fluctuates. This is a major purchase so it is best not to rush into anything if you feel doubt. Have patience and keep searching till you find something that works for you.

What happens after you buy a van?:

Most sellers are willing to negotiate the price at least a little so make them an offer. Typically, the vehicle is the last thing holding someone up from leaving the country. Meaning, THEY WANT IT OFF THEIR HANDS!

Once you have purchased a vehicle you have 14 days to transfer it into your name or you will incur fees. The original owner will have some paperwork to fill out to transfer the vehicle over. Know the laws for your state (You might have to do it in person).

If at all possible, set aside a “Vehicle Emergency Fund.” Even the vehicle that appears to be the most sound could need repairs eventually.

 

our home top of the vans
Our home Shot with my iPhone 6s.

What did we buy?

We decided that a caravan met our needs the best. As such, we purchased a 1998 Mitsubishi Express (New South Wales rego). We found our home on GumTree. Since it did not come with many of the necessary things we did end up spending a bit too much money picking up all of the things we needed. Some of our van essentials included: New Pillows, funky sheets, plastic dishes (Things break easily in vans), camping chairs from Bunnings, an esky (cooler), and of course a good book for the road (Hippie).
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Did you choose to buy a car in Australia? What was your experience with shopping for vans like?  Leave your answers in the comments

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