Blue Mountains cruises are a tempting idea for a region this green, yet the area is famous for cliffs, escarpments and valleys more than for boats. What the place does have is a ring of named rivers and a lake that define its edges, and a set of guided day tours that show the landscape water carved.
This page covers those waterways, the eight guided tours on this site, the weather through the year and how to get there.
Waterways that define the Blue Mountains
The region, as defined in 1970, is bounded by the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers in the east, the Coxs River and Lake Burragorang to the west and south, and the Wolgan and Colo rivers to the north. The range itself forms the watershed between the Coxs River to the south and the Grose and Wolgan rivers to the north.
The Coxs River, a tributary of the Nepean, was one of two routes across the mountains known to the Aboriginal people. It could be followed upstream to the open plains of the Kanimbla Valley. Captain John Hunter also described the Hawkesbury River reaches in his account of Arthur Phillip's 1789 expedition, which holds the first documented use of the name Blue Mountains.
How water shaped the mountains
The Blue Mountains are a sandstone plateau. In the Mesozoic period rivers dumped vast amounts of sand over older sedimentary rock, and by about a million years ago the mountains began to form, with deep valleys and steep cliffs carved out.
The Gundungurra creation story tells of Dreaming creatures Mirigan and Garangatch, half fish and half reptile, whose epic battle scarred the landscape into the Jamison Valley. Water and the creatures of it sit at the heart of the local story as well as the geology.
The best-known sights, such as the Three Sisters at Echo Point in Katoomba, are cliff-top views over those valleys. We reckon a day with a guide shows them better than any other approach.
Guided day tours
Here are the tours on this site, with lengths and starting prices. Check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
| Tour | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour | 8 hours | from AUD 330 |
| Private tour with kangaroo and koala experience | 8 hours | from AUD 420 |
| Private tour with waterfalls, koalas and views | 8 to 9 hours | from AUD 543.75 |
| Ultimate Blue Mountains and Wildlife Tour | 11 hours | from AUD 305 |
| Unforgettable Blue Mountains Day Tour | 11 hours | from AUD 305 |
| Sydney Wildlife Safari | 10 hours | from AUD 440 |
| Private Blue Mountains and Winery Day-Trip from Sydney | 10 hours | from AUD 2264.01 |
| Sydney and Blue Mountains in One Day Truly Private Tour | 10 to 12 hours | from AUD 878.38 |
The full set is on our Blue Mountains tours page.
The waterfalls day
The waterfalls tour runs about eight hours from Sydney with your own guide in a luxury vehicle. It takes in UNESCO-listed escarpments, temperate rainforest and waterfalls on foot, with stops at the Three Sisters and village cafes in Leura. The winery day-trip ends with tastings at a boutique winery in Megalong Valley.
Wildlife and sunset days
Two 11-hour tours suit small groups, with afternoon tea and a lunch stop in the heritage village of Leura. One is timed for sunset over the escarpment. The Sydney Wildlife Safari travels the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, which connects the Blue Mountains to Morton National Park.
Blue Mountains weather by month
January is the warmest month, with an average maximum of 23.5 degrees and about 15 rain days. July is the coolest, with a maximum of 9.8 degrees and a minimum of 1.3 degrees, and it is one of the drier months at 36.8 mm.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5 | 12.6 | 123.2 | 15.0 |
| April | 16.7 | 7.4 | 56.4 | 9.0 |
| July | 9.8 | 1.3 | 36.8 | 6.3 |
| October | 17.9 | 6.4 | 74.5 | 10.4 |
February is the wettest month at 145.2 mm. August has the most sunny days at 28.3.
Getting there and staying nearby
The Blue Mountains are 104 km from Sydney by road, about 104 minutes. Orange is 158 km away and Wollongong 161 km. Some tours include hotel pickup, and one collects from Katoomba train station. Our Blue Mountains transfers page covers other ways to arrive.
For somewhere to stay, Katoomba Falls is a caravan park with powered sites and cabins, and Blue Mountains National Park offers powered sites and cabins too. Contact the park for current rates before booking. For wider planning, Visit NSW is the official state tourism site.
Frequently asked questions
Which rivers surround the Blue Mountains?
The Nepean and Hawkesbury lie to the east, the Coxs River and Lake Burragorang to the west and south, and the Wolgan and Colo rivers to the north.
What is the cheapest guided tour?
The Ultimate Blue Mountains and Wildlife Tour and the Unforgettable Blue Mountains Day Tour both start from AUD 305 for 11 hours.
Where can I read more about the region?
The Wikipedia entry for the Blue Mountains covers the geology, Aboriginal history and colonial crossings in more depth.
