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Chief town of the City of Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia
Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Katoomba is the largest and best-known town in the Blue Mountains. It serves as the main base for travellers to the Blue Mountains, and the main gateway to the two most popular tourist spots at Echo Point and Scenic World. It has the most shops with all the supplies you need, tourist offices, motels, transport restaurants and even some nightlife. However, it has lost the quaint village charm to Leura, its immediately adjacent neighbour to the east.
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A 'must see' for any visitor to Sydney, there are spectacular views of the Three Sisters rock formation from this lookout. There are a lot of tourists, although the platforms are well structured to give you a great view. There are numerous walking trails from here, including a 30-minute walk to the Three Sisters. There's also an information centre here with displays about the environment of the area, so it's a good place to start your visit to the mountains. Maps and souvenirs available for sale. Come back at night to see the area lit up. There is an easy walk down to a bridge where you can walk to the base of the sisters.
The Scenic Skyway and Scenic Railway have been part of a visit to the Blue Mountains for as long as any Sydneysider can remember. It is home to the world's steepest railway at an incline of 52 degrees (128% gradient). The scenic cableway is much more sedate as descends down into the forest, and although it is common to do the railway down and the cableway back, if you want to enjoy the ride and not just the view, you'll have more fun just taking the railway both directions. Renovations to the railway have made it not quite as scary as it once was. Down in the valley you can walk on boardwalks along in the rainforest, the avalanche and see some mining remnant artifacts. There can be crowds on weekends, but you'll still get on okay. There can be school groups too, so just have a cup of coffee and wait for them to do their thing.
The Writers' House
This grand hotel began its life in 1904 as a health resort, and it is the main attraction of Medlow Bath. The view from over the Megalong Valley is simply stunning, with large glass windows in the restaurants and lobby. The hotel has been renovated. If you are not staying here, it is still worth having high tea in the Wintergarden.
This is well known as the tree where (supposedly) Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth, who were the first known European explorers who crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813, vandalised the tree by carving their initials in 1813 on this Eucalyptus oreades specimen. The tree has been removed although the platform where it stood still exists.
The main attraction is a 38-minute giant screen movie about the Blue Mountains, called Wild Australia: The Edge. This is an amazing show about the stunning scenery and the rainforest, filmed from an "adventure sports" and "conservation" viewpoint; not at all tacky or "touristy". The cinema also screens other giant screen films and conventional movies including classic films, so be sure to check the schedule before making the trip.
A stylish restaurant in the dress circle of the old Savoy theatre with beautiful views down the valley. It is moderately expensive, but they have generous servings and huge desserts. Friendly yet unobtrusive staff and a classy atmosphere. The main dining room is accessible by stairs only.
formerly Common Ground café
Excellent personal service, fairly nice prices for delicious food, but is run by the Twelve Tribes cult (a Christian nationalist cult) and they are known to recruit people in. Ambiance is cosy and private. Sometimes live music. Great for lunch or dinner.
Thai food for those wishing to test their tastebuds.
A fish and chips takeaway which also sells beef burgers.
The dining room of the Carrington Hotel, one of the few remaining in Australia.
The historic dining room serving buffet breakfast, light meals, soups, sandwiches, freshly baked scones and traditional Devonshire tea. The bar serves local beers, Australian wines and a selection of cocktails, with light meals and snacks also available.
formerly The Carrington Saloon Bar
The most upmarket of the pubs, it contains rather less drunken young people than the others on the average Friday or Saturday night. Sometimes has live piano music. It also has an excellent restaurant upstairs.
Katoomba's oldest cocktail bar. May have once been called the "Carrington" and "Carrington Main Bar".
Has a licensed entertainment restaurant that features live music, comedy and theatre.
Reception open 7AM to 10PM.
A relaxed, homely hostel with polished floors, cosy fires, clean and tidy, with a leafy veranda with valley views. It is family-run and the friendly staff will gladly provide you with all necessary information about the blue mountains. Free internet, tea and coffee. There are four-bed-dorms, twin and double rooms, all centrally heated.
A small, friendly hostel with a laid back atmosphere. Garden, outside fireplace. The owner knows the mountains well and helps plan walks. Dorms and private rooms. Guest kitchen. Free WiFi, breakfast, tea and coffee.
formerly Hotel Gearin
The former Hotel Gearin and pub closed in March 2019. It reopened as a guesthouse not long after, but the pub remains closed.
Blue Lyrebird offers co-living accommodation in Katoomba, suited to longer stays. Single and double rooms are available with shared bathroom facilities, along with access to a communal kitchen, dining area, lounge and games room with pool table. Weekly rates include electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, bed linen and use of laundry facilities.
All rooms in this small motel have queen sized beds, private bathrooms, and televisions. There are also a small number of "spa suites" with two or three private rooms and a two person spa. Rates for. Call the reservations number for special deals if staying both Friday and Saturday nights.
A very comfortable hotel. Great meals.
A hotel which has a dumbwaiter elevator.
The hotel offers a range of guest rooms with private bathrooms, along with shared facilities including a library, games room, dining room and bar. The hotel retains much of its historic character, with period furnishings and original architectural features.
Formerly Echo Point Discovery Motel
The motel offers a range of refurbished guest rooms, including family rooms and rooms with scenic views. Facilities include free on-site parking, on-site EV charging, outdoor picnic areas, BBQ facilities and complimentary outdoor games. Guests can also access an on site outdoor fire pit, and infrared sauna facilities at the neighbouring Montblu property. Full hot buffet breakfast is available at the nearby Metropole Katoomba hotel.
Offers comfortable accommodation and provides a range of guest rooms, including family rooms and spa suites, with free on-site parking.
The motel provides a range of guest rooms, including family rooms and rooms with kitchenette facilities. Amenities include free on-site parking and electric vehicle charging.
An historic country house hotel set amidst two acres of manicured gardens. It's a short walk from Echo Point, and some of the rooms have spectacular views of the Jamison Valley. Has its own restaurant, Darley's.
This historic hotel (built in 1880) has friendly staff and exudes charm. Some of the rooms have breathtaking views of the valley. The formal dining room has great meals. Unfortunately, it lacks a modern elevator, and has too many steps for guests arriving with luggage. Still, a great choice if you like old-world charm and a choice location over modern convenience.
Self-contained villas, cottage and studio accommodation across the road from Echo Point and the Three Sisters lookout. Accommodation options range from studios for couples to larger two- and three-bedroom villas suitable for families and groups. Some villas offer 180-degree views across the Jamison Valley and surrounding escarpment. Guest facilities include an outdoor infrared sauna, with optional fire pit and toasted marshmallow experiences.
Has been operating for over 20 years and features a stellar collection of antique toys and collectibles.
By train
Situated on the northern end of the town centre is Katoomba station. The station is staffed all day and is wheelchair accessible.
By coach
Australia Wide Coaches operate a daily express service from Katoomba to the Sydney City and on to Sydney airport every morning, and return in the afternoon.
By bus
Bus 690K runs daily (except Su) from Springwood. Bus 698V runs three times a day M-F from Mount Victoria. Bus 685 runs five times M-F, four times Sa and two times Su from Leura and Wentworth Falls.
By tourist bus
Alternatively, you can take the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus (a hop-on hop-off bus), which leaves hourly from just outside the Carrington Hotel.
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