The Blue Mountains have many of our favourite hiking tracks in all of NSW. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but there’s so much diversity in the trails. From walks to jaw dropping viewpoints, to waterfalls you can swim under, rainforest trails, slot canyons and even tracks you can see glow worms on, the mountains really do have it all!
We’ve hiked dozens and dozens of trails to bring you this list of our favourites.
The Definitive Guide to the Best Walks in the Blue Mountains
We’ve designed this article to be a bucket list of Blue Mountains Walks to work through, but if you are only interested in our top recommendations, then head to the “Best of the Best section”.
The remainder of the trails we’ve organised by area - with the Lower Blue Mountains being the closest to Sydney (1 hour) to further afield taking the most time to get to (up to 3 hours each way). They are by no means inferior, and in a place like the Blue Mountains it was hard to whittle it down to 22!
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The Best of the Best
• Fortress Ridge & Dr Dark’s Cave
Best Walks in Katoomba (1.5 hours from Sydney)
• Dardanelles Pass & Giant Stairway
• Mount Solitary with Ruined Castle
Best Walks in Leura (1.5 hours from Sydney)
Best Walks in Wentworth Falls (1 hour 15 from Sydney)
• Wentworth Falls to Rocket Point
Best Walks in Blackheath (1 hour 45 from Sydney)
Best Walks in Lawson & Hazelbrook (1 hour 10 from Sydney)
• South Lawson Waterfall Circuit
• North Lawson Waterfall Circuit with Empire Pass
Best Walks in the Lower Blue Mountains (1 hour from Sydney)
Great walks further afield
Checking whether your trail is open
Before you set off, check the Parks NSW website to see whether your trail is open. Whilst most trails have reopened since the bush fires and floods in recent years, some still remain closed.
The Best of the Best
The following four trails are our favourites, and the ones we always recommend. You don’t have to be super fit to do any of these trails (so long as you take your time) and they offer some of the best views and scenery in the whole of NSW.
1. The Grand Canyon - Blackheath
Distance: 6.5km circuit
Elevation: 310m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting from: Evans Lookout (1 hour 45 from Sydney)
The Grand Canyon is no hidden gem, but that’s for good reason. This track is simply magical.
It’s not about the views - although it does start at one of the best - it’s all about walking in-between the towering canyon walls which are dripping with ferns and moss. You will feel like you’ve entered a different world, and it’s the perfect escape from the city.
Rock hopping over pristine streams and heading up and down picturesque rock staircases all adds to the wow factor.
The whole trail is incredibly atmospheric and despite having walked it more times than we could possibly count, we never lose that sense of awe.
However, there’s one caveat: it is so popular that crowds can be an issue. If you can’t walk this one midweek, we’d recommend hiking very early in the morning or later in the afternoon on Sunday. We started the walk at 4pm on a very busy sunny Sunday recently and saw no one!
You can read our full Grand Canyon trail guide, along with a big secret about the track here.
2. Fortress Ridge with Dr Dark’s Cave - Leura
Distance: 10.7km (total including all side trails)
Elevation: 469m (total including all side trails)
Difficulty: Moderate for Fortress Ridge, hard when combined with the cave
Starting from: Mount Hay Road (1 hour 30 from Sydney)
If you’re looking for a trail with stupendous views and a little bit of rarely visited mountains history this is the hike for you.
The views from both Fortress Rock and the end of the Fortress Ridge trail are absolutely mind blowing and some of our favourites in the mountains. Add to that the opportunity to visit Dr Dark’s cave and you have a walk to remember.
Dr Dark and his family used to live part time in the cave in the 1930’s and 40’s and many of their belongings are still there, it’s like they got up and left for the day, but will be returning later! It’s a fascinating place to visit and a truly unique spot in the mountains.
Whilst much of the track is in good condition, the side trail to the cave is not. The whole track has zero signposting at any point, so we’ve given a map and instructions for the walk, as well as the cave coordinates in this post.
3. The Wentworth Pass - Wentworth Falls (partially closed)
Distance: 7.3km
Elevation: 419m
Difficulty: Hard
Starting point: Wentworth Falls Lookout (1 hour 15 from Sydney)
Covering some of the same trail as the National Pass (which we’ve removed from this post because it doesn’t look like it is going to re-open in the foreseeable future), the Wentworth Pass is both spectacular and a little bit adventurous.
You’ll walk on paths cut into the cliff edge and down past every stage of the majestic Wentworth Falls, before arriving at the base where you can have a paddle to cool off! The descent is steep, some of which is on what Parks NSW call ladders, but we think are more like very steep staircases.
From the base of Wentworth Falls you’ll traverse some truly glorious forest before making your way back to the cliff tops again via a series of jaw dropping waterfalls (go after rain for the best flow).
It’s steep, it’s rough in places and can be a bit humid down in the forest, but it’s by far one of the best hikes in the Blue Mountains.
You can read our full trail guide here.
4. Dry Canyon - Newnes Plateau
Distance: 3.4km return
Elevation: 60m
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Glow Worm Tunnel Road (3 hours from Sydney)
Dry Canyon is a real hidden gem. Walking through this incredible slot canyon took us right back to Utah! With tall, deep orange walls and stunning rock formations it will leave you wondering how you can possibly have the whole walk to yourself!
Don’t forget to look up when you get to the sections where the light can barely penetrate, it’s often where you’ll see the most intricate patterns in the rock.
As well as being an absolutely incredible adventure, it’s also very easy to access. There is one short scramble with a rope in place to help you, but that’s only a nice to have, not a need to have, as it’s by no means difficult.
The only hard part about Dry Canyon is finding your way when there is no signposting whatsoever and many social trails.
But on that note we have you covered in this detailed step by step guide.
If you fall in love with Dry Canyon then we’d highly recommend trying River Caves Canyon next. It’s a wet canyon this time, but it’s generally not very deep and no swimming is involved. Again it’s not signposted but we have all the details, including coordinates in this post.
The Best Walks in Katoomba
Katoomba is a popular place with tourists partly because it has some truly great walks. There are a couple of easy walks to waterfalls as well as more challenging trails, and if you fancy a coffee or food before/after your trail, then this is a good area to head to.
5. Katoomba Round Walk
Distance: 3km (including all side trails)
Elevation: 137m
Difficulty: Easy but not flat
Starting point: Scenic World (1.5 hours from Sydney)
The Katoomba Round Walk is an easy trail that doesn’t compromise on big views. It’s by far the best walk in the whole park for views of the gorgeous Katoomba Falls. You’ll get to view this iconic waterfall from the top of the cliffs, as well as up close and personal if you take a very short diversion.
As well as Katoomba Falls, this walk also showcases Katoomba Cascades - which are great for a paddle on a warm day - as well as lots of absolutely glorious forest.
If you can time your visit to coincide with some recent heavy rain, the whole area comes to life. Not only will the waterfalls and cascades be at their best, but there’s nothing like walking along the moss covered cliffs when they are dripping with water, it’s like the whole thing becomes one giant weeping rock.
Here are all the finer details on the Katoomba Round Walk.
You can also walk a section of this track after dark as part of the new Katoomba Night Walk. If you can, pick a clear night when you can enjoy the incredible night sky too!
You’ll see Katoomba Falls and cascades, as well as Witches Leap and Orphan Rock, all lit by flood lights until 10.30pm each night (spotlights along the path remain on until 11pm). It’s a unique way to experience some of Katoomba’s best loved spots.
6. Minnehaha Falls
Distance: 2.5km return
Elevation: 94m
Difficulty: Easy but with a couple of steep staircases
Starting Point: Minnehaha Reserve (1.5 hours from Sydney)
Minnehaha Falls is a spectacular waterfall with a deep emerald swimming hole at the base. The setting within tall sandstone cliffs is also utterly beautiful and it’s easily one of our favourite places in Katoomba.
The walk to get there is short but picturesque, passing small cascades and lovely views of Minnehaha from up high. There are a couple of steep staircases, but there are handrails so you don’t need to worry about slipping.
It’s also outside the national park boundary so if you have a pup you can bring them along on the adventure. Overall, it’s one of the best short walks in the mountains and the kind of walk you return to again and again.
If you are looking to swim, and it’s a weekend, we’d recommend coming early. The pool is a great size for a couple of people but would feel crowded after that.
You can read our full Minnehaha guide here.
7. The Giant Stairway and Dardanelles Pass Loop
Distance: 5.6km total (additional 2km with side trails)
Elevation: 415m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Cliff Drive to the east of Katoomba (1.5 hours from Sydney)
This walk is an excellent all rounder. If you can’t decide between rainforest and waterfalls, or epic mountain views, opt for this one which covers them all. You’ll also get to climb up one of the most iconic staircases, the Giant Stairway, which gives you a nice workout with roughly 1000 steps!
The rainforest gullies and small waterfalls are stunning and the whole area is wonderfully green and lively. You can picnic down on the forest floor just like people did back in the late 1890’s when the picnic area was developed.
It’s also a great track for spotting lyrebirds, we always see them on this one.
The short detour to Echo Point takes you to one of the mountains best views and you can even have a cup of coffee mid trail at the The Lookout Cafe.
You can read all the details on the trail, including an unmarked side trail to an extra waterfall in this post.
8. Mount Solitary with Ruined Castle
Distance: 15km return
Elevation: 930m
Difficulty: Hard
Starting from: The Golden Staircase, Narrow Neck
If you're ever gazed out from one of the many viewpoints in the area and wondered what it would be like to stand on top of that prominent mountain in the distance, this is your chance to find out. It's a big one and for those that like their hikes with a healthy dose of challenge.
Although you spend a considerable amount of time in the forest, when you do come out to the viewpoints, they are sensational. And walking in a forest filled with ferns and the frequent calls of lyrebirds is definitely no hardship!
Getting to the top of Ruined Castle requires one easy scramble, but to get to the top of Mount Solitary requires negotiating a rocky 'track' for the last 1.1km. There are no technical moves required, but the cumulation of all the uphill and prolonged scrambling make it a tiring but rewarding hike.
Here are all the details on the Ruined Castle hike and Ruined Castle combined with Mount Solitary.
The Best Walks in Leura
Whilst the majority of the village of Leura is on the Jamison Valley side of the Blue Mountains, the best trails are actually on the Grose Valley side (the northern section). Along the Mount Hay Road, there are several incredible trails, which are a lot quieter than the majority of walks in the mountains.
However, we recommend checking the road condition before you go. If it has been recently regraded, then you can probably drive a 2WD to the trails. Otherwise it’s pot luck!
9. Mount Hay and Butterbox Point
Distance: 6km (3km Butterbox, 3km Mount Hay)
Elevation: 291m (virtually all on the Mount Hay trail)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Starting Point: End of Mount Hay Road (1.5 hours from Sydney)
This walk offers absolutely fabulous views and feels nicely off the beaten track. Virtually all the elevation comes on the Mount Hay section, which you can skip if you’re looking for something easy.
The Butterbox Point part of the walk offers some of the most jaw dropping views in the mountains, which we had definitely not been expecting before doing it.
The track feels wild and takes you fairly close to some unfenced cliff edges that reminded us more of walking in America than the Blue Mountains!
The start of the track to Mount Hay also offers some killer views, but alas not from the summit, which is covered in dense vegetation. This part of the walk is more about peak bagging than views but at just 3km extra, it’s worth adding on.
You can read our full trail guide here.
10. Lockleys Pylon
Distance: 7.2 km return (8.5km if you add Du Faur Head)
Elevation: 176m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Mount Hay Road (1.5 hours from Sydney)
Lockleys Pylon is a relatively easy trail, but it doesn't sacrifice on those wow factor views. It's also in a quieter part of the mountains which is frequented by locals rather than travellers.
We've done this walk several times and we've never seen more than a handful of other people.
The beginning of the trail won't blow you away (sadly it's heavily charred after the fires of early 2020), but as you come out to the ridge and head up towards the lookout, the views are simply spectacular.
The climb up to the viewpoint is very short and then you have panoramic views of Mount Hay, Mount Banks and the Grose Valley. It’s such a great view for so little effort.
The pylon has lots of rocks to sit on and if you're lucky enough to be up there on a day without too much wind, it makes for a lovely picnic spot.
You can read our full trail guide here.
The Best Walks in Wentworth Falls
The trails around Wentworth Falls offer jaw-dropping views and some of the best waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. If it’s recently rained, these are the walks to do as they will all come to life!
11. Valley of the Waters extended version
Distance: 3.4km total
Elevation: 285m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Starting point: Conservation Hut (1 hour 15 from Sydney)
The Valley of the Waters Track is a waterfall lovers paradise. The extended version covers a staggering seven waterfalls. And not just any waterfalls, many are the most beautiful in all the Blue Mountains.
You know sometimes you get those walks where it visits cool spots but in-between there isn’t much to see? The Valley of the Waters is pretty much the exact opposite. It’s one wow after another, often just minutes apart.
Beyond the first four waterfalls, the track gets a little rougher and that keeps away the majority of people. We’ve never seen another soul at the final three waterfalls and yet they are still totally gorgeous.
You do have a steep climb back up to the cliff top after you’ve visited the waterfalls, but it is oh so worth it.
You can read our full trail guide here, and note that if you are planning to walk the Wentworth Pass Track mentioned above, you will cover this trail too.
12. Water Nymphs Dell
Distance: 1.6km return
Elevation: 120m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Glenview Road, Wentworth Falls (1 hour 15 from Sydney)
Water Nymphs Dell has to be one of Wentworth Falls best secret spots. This charming waterfall which cascades over a large overhang is surrounded by high walls and dense foliage giving you the feeling that you’ve just strolled into a lost world.
I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about Water Nymphs Dell but it just has that special feeling.
It’s also probably one of the most unusual picnic spots in the mountains with a little picnic table sitting underneath a cave shelter with a view out to the waterfall.
However the true magic of this spot is only revealed if you return after dark when it is transformed into a spectacular glow worm wonderland. It’s not just one spot that contains the little twinkling blue lights either, much of the pathway is lit with them.
It’s an otherworldly experience, although not without its challenges at night as the path is rough and slippery in places.
You can read exactly what to expect by day and by night in this detailed guide.
13. Wentworth Falls plus Rocket Point
Distance: 3.7km return
Elevation: 120m
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Starting Point: Wentworth Falls Lookout (1 hour 15 from Sydney)
If you don’t want to walk all the way to the very bottom of Wentworth Falls (along the Wentworth Pass), then head for the base of the upper falls.
This incredible walk crosses the top of the waterfall and then heads down historic stones steps which have been hewn into the side of the cliffs.
There are handrails to help as the path is often wet. The views are extraordinary, and seeing the base of the upper falls and feeling the spray hit your face as you stare in awe is a Blue Mountains must do.
On the way back, we’d recommend taking the very short diversion to Rocket Point Lookout. This viewpoint offers a fantastic view of the whole of the upper falls and is a wonderful spot for photographs.
If you’re looking for other things to do in Wentworth Falls, we’ve got you covered in this post.
The Best Walks in Blackheath
The trails in Blackheath are breathtaking - in steepness and in the views. The Grand Canyon is the most famous, but this is the only trail in the area that tends to get busy. If you visit the trails below, you’ll be lucky to see a handful of people on the walk.
14. Porters Pass and Centennial Glen Circuit
Distance: 5.2km
Elevation: 281m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Burton Road, Blackheath (1 hour 45 from Sydney)
This quiet walk just outside the national park has so much to offer. Not only does it have great views and gorgeous little rainforest gullies, it also has an incredible slot canyon which has a waterfall running into it.
It’s such an incredible spot and offers a fun plunge pool experience like no other.
If you aim to walk this track to finish up close to sunset, the golden light over the valley adds even more wow factor to an already special trail.
The path is a little less manicured than some, with quite long periods of terrain which you have to watch your footing on, but it’s not difficult if you take it slow and steady.
The rewards are definitely well worth a bit of uneven ground. You can read our detailed trail guide here.
15. Hanging Rock
Distance: 11km return
Elevation: 100m
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Starting Point: Ridgewell Road, Blackheath (1 hour 45)
Hanging Rock is one of the most stunning spots in the mountains, with incredible cliffs which make it a firm favourite with photographers. The downside is that the walk to get there is not that exciting. This is definitely a track you do for the destination, not the journey.
Having said that when the destination is as good as Hanging Rock, it had to have a place on our list.
The walk is mainly along fire trail and is fairly flat and easy for almost the whole way. There isn’t much in the way of views until you near the end. To see the iconic Hanging Rock views you do need to walk down a rough, rocky path.
It’s not long but it is very uneven and requires careful footing. If you want to stand on that cliff edge which you’ll always see in photos you have to make a small jump across a chasm.
It’s not wide but the path you’re jumping onto goes uphill which we found to be quite unnerving and for that reason have never done it ourselves.
If you’re happy to walk one way in the dark, Hanging Rock is best done at sunrise, or sunset if you’re not a morning person!
The Best Walks in Lawson and Hazelbrook
The walks around Lawson and Hazelbrook are all about the waterfalls. These walks tend to be quieter than the more well known walks further up the mountains, frequented more by locals than tourists. To see them at their best you really do need to visit after rain, and the more the better!
16. South Lawson Waterfall Circuit
Distance: 2.8km loop (although our watch read 3.8km after every side trail)
Elevation: 160m
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Honour Avenue, Lawson (1 hour 10 from Sydney)
The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit is a short walk which visits five fantastic waterfalls. You do need to visit after rain though or the waterfalls are reduced to mere trickles.
After rain, the walk is transformed into an absolute delight, with a roaring waterfall behind every corner. Lots of cascades will appear from nowhere and they provide a constant relaxing soundtrack to the trail.
The forest is also beautiful and the paths are in good condition. You’ll experience some short muddy sections after heavy rain, but nothing major and it’s generally a very easy walk that is a lot quieter than trails in the more visited parts of the mountains.
You can read our full trail guide here.
17. North Lawson Waterfall Circuit with Empire Pass
Distance: 5.5km
Elevation: 210m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: North Lawson Park (1 hour 10 from Sydney)
This is one of the lesser known walks in the area despite being a really lovely trail. The full route visits four picturesque waterfalls, or you can visit the first three in just 2km if you’re looking for a shorter, easy trail.
Our favourite is the second falls, Dantes Glen, which has a wild and secluded feel to it, surrounded by tall fern covered cliff walls.
After visiting three waterfalls in quick succession, you head onto the Empire Pass Track which takes you through some stunning forest before arriving at the fourth falls.
The Empire Pass is a rougher track than the North Lawson Waterfall Walk, with some erosion and debris across the path. The trade off is you get the whole gorgeous forest to yourself.
It does finish on fire trail which is a bit of an anticlimax, but worth it to see all four waterfalls and some pristine forest too.
You can read our detailed trail guide here.
18. Terrace Falls Walk
Distance: 4.7km circuit
Elevation: 220m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Valley Road (Terrace Falls Fire Trail is closed to cars) - 1 hour 10 from Sydney
Terrace Falls is a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall but this walk is about so much more than just one waterfall. If you visit after rain, whole new waterfalls emerge where once there was just dry rock, and cascades flow along much of the trail. It really is fabulous.
As well as all the falls there are also giant stretches of lush ferns, colourful fungi, knobbly trees and picturesque overhangs.
The atmosphere of the forest is incredible and if you’re walking on a warm day there are several places for a cooling dip. If this track were a little further up the mountains it would definitely get more attention.
It’s a real gem, full of wonderful spots that go largely unrecognised and that makes it all the more special.
You can read our full trail guide here.
The Best Walks in the Lower Blue Mountains
The walks in the Lower Blue Mountains are less about the valley views, and more about forests, swimming spots and Aboriginal history. These are great to visit on a hot day as you can always go for a swim afterwards to cool down!
19. Red Hands Cave
Distance: 7.7km return
Elevation: 265m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Jellybean Pool, Glenbrook (1 hour from Sydney)
Red Hands Cave offers the chance to see one of the best preserved Aboriginal rock art sites close to Sydney and it’s thought to be around 1600 years old!
There are dozens of coloured and stencil hand prints and even though the cave is behind metal grilling, the atmosphere is undeniable. It’s quite dark and always very quiet, which can give it an almost spooky air. It’s a very good spot to sit and just be with your thoughts.
The walk to get there passes Jellybean Pool which is a sensational wild swimming spot and a glorious place to cool off providing it’s not too busy. The reminder of the walk is through pretty forest and is fairly leisurely until you are approaching the cave and need to start climbing uphill.
You can read more about the trail in our detailed guide. There is also a shorter way of accessing Red Hands Cave but we recommend the longer loop for a proper walk.
20. Sassafras Gully
Distance: 10.2km Circuit
Elevation: 333m
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Valley Road, Springwood (1 hour from Sydney)
Sassafras Gully is a fantastic circuit walk which is entirely through the forest. What it lacks in views it makes up for with beautiful gullies, streams, overhangs and wildlife. If you love lyrebirds this is a great track for spotting them.
We saw 10 the most recent time we walked it, and their myriad of calls made for the most wonderful backdrop to much of the walk.
In good weather, there are a couple of places for a cooling dip and if there has been recent rain the waterfalls will also be running. We’ve actually yet to experience them as anything other than a trickle, so hopefully we can change that at some point!
There is a fair amount of debris along several parts of the walk which makes it slower going than it used to be. Nothing is overly difficult to navigate but it is a bit more of a workout as a result.
You can read more about the trail in our Sassafras Gully guide.
Further afield
The final two walks require a little more effort to get to than the rest, but they reward those who venture out here! We loved these two trails and had experiences here that made them stand out.
21. Victoria Falls Track
Distance: 5.2km return
Elevation: 400m
Difficulty: Hard
Starting Point: Victoria Falls Lookout (2 hours from Sydney)
The Victoria Falls Track is a bit of a workout but the reward is two sublime swimming spots at the base of waterfalls. We definitely think that’s a fair trade off.
The walk sees you zigzagging your way down the cliff side with the occasional mountain view, before reaching my favourite of the two swimming spots, Victoria Creek Cascades.
Swimming in the cool water and looking up at the amazing terraced falls is not something you’ll forget in a hurry! Even if you’re not looking to swim, just sitting and relaxing in this serene spot is time well spent.
Continuing on, you’ll reach the bigger waterfall that is Victoria Falls. It’s another gorgeous place to while away some time before taking on the big climb back up to the top. The first half is easy going, but then it gets steeper towards the top.
You can read more in our guide to Victoria Falls.
22. The Wolgan Valley Circuit via the Glow Worm Tunnel
Distance: 9.6km
Elevation: 275m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Starting Point: End of Glow Worm Tunnel Road (3 hours from Sydney)
The shorter walk to the Glow Worm Tunnel is also fab, but if you have the time we recommend taking this longer circuit route. This walk is blissfully quiet allowing you to fully soak up the peace and serenity of the forest.
You’ll pass by old stone pagodas, wander the cliff top with spectacular Wolgan Valley views and enjoy a fabulous fern covered canyon. Wandering through the lines of tree ferns beside the canyon is an absolute delight.
You then arrive at the magical Glow Worm Tunnel which has to be the best ending to any walk anywhere! A 400m long dark tunnel that is teeming with glow worms which shine like the night sky. You need to allow your eyes time to adjust and turn off all lights to see even a fraction of what is there!
We have lots of tips on how to make the most of the Glow Worm Tunnel here, as well as a separate detailed guide to the Wolgan Valley Circuit.
Packing suggestions for the Blue Mountains
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, especially in the Blue Mountains. Some of the trails can be slippery (so you will want good grip) and it can rain at any time, so packing correctly can make a big difference.
Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Best places to stay in the Blue Mountains
Hostel with private rooms - Katoomba YHA
I love this hostel, it's the first place I stayed in the mountains and I've been back many times. I've only stayed in private rooms so I can't comment on the dorms but I found the rooms to be really good, very clean and with a kettle for tea and coffee.
The shared bathrooms are always spotless and I've never had to wait in a line. It also has several lounges, the best one has a large fireplace and is a good spot to curl up with a book or play cards. You can also use the large kitchen.
Check the latest prices on:
Guesthouse - Metropole Guesthouse (Katoomba)
This place is really handy if you are catching the train as it's only about a two minute walk from the station. Built in 1933 it has been renovated but is still old fashioned and that's what makes it an interesting place to stay. It often has special offers so if you snag a deal it's probably hard to beat for the price.
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Motel - Blackheath Motor Inn (Blackheath)
Just a 15 minute drive from Katoomba is the little town of Blackheath. It's also a good place to stay and tends to attract an older crowd as there are no hostels, and it works best if you have a car. This motel is our pick for Blackheath, the rooms are large and clean and it's really close to the major walking tracks.
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High-end - Fairmont Resort (Leura)
My favourite part of the Fairmont is actually the lobby, it's really atmospheric, with a huge picture window looking out on to the mountains. I liked the old fashioned pictures behind the reception desk so much that when I saw them in a shop in town I had to buy one!
The rooms are really nice, clean and modern. Ours didn't have a view which is probably why I liked the lobby best. It's a great high end choice and has walking trails directly from the garden which we really enjoyed.
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If you're also visiting Sydney then check out our following blogs:
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