In 2018, 8.4 million people visited the Blue Mountains, so a bargain here usually means choosing your timing and your tour with some care. This page covers Blue Mountains value travel: the months that suit a lighter budget, the sights that are free to look at, and the lower-priced tours and caravan parks we list.
The climate record, the listed tour prices and a few sensible habits go a long way. Check current prices and times with the operator before you book.
Blue Mountains value travel by month
The climate normals for 1991 to 2020 show which months are wetter, and which are cold but dry and bright. Here is the full year.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5 | 12.6 | 123.2 | 15.0 | 27.2 |
| February | 22.1 | 12.4 | 145.2 | 15.3 | 24.4 |
| March | 19.7 | 10.5 | 106.9 | 15.0 | 27.0 |
| April | 16.7 | 7.4 | 56.4 | 9.0 | 26.6 |
| May | 13.1 | 4.4 | 48.0 | 6.7 | 26.8 |
| June | 10.2 | 2.4 | 63.6 | 7.7 | 24.5 |
| July | 9.8 | 1.3 | 36.8 | 6.3 | 27.2 |
| August | 11.3 | 1.6 | 45.9 | 6.7 | 28.3 |
| September | 14.9 | 4.0 | 53.0 | 8.3 | 27.8 |
| October | 17.9 | 6.4 | 74.5 | 10.4 | 27.6 |
| November | 20.0 | 8.7 | 104.2 | 13.5 | 26.4 |
| December | 21.9 | 10.8 | 118.7 | 13.3 | 27.7 |
The quieter, drier months
Our pick for good conditions is the cooler half of the year. July is the driest month at 36.8 mm over 6.3 rain days, and August has the most sunny days at 28.3, with 45.9 mm of rain. May is close behind with 48.0 mm and 26.8 sunny days.
The trade-off is the cold. July averages a 9.8 degree maximum and a 1.3 degree minimum, so pack warm layers. We reckon April, May, September and October are the easiest compromise, with 6.7 to 10.4 rain days and maximums from about 13 to 18 degrees.
The wettest stretch is summer, with February at 145.2 mm over 15.3 rain days. Wet days can spoil lookouts, so a summer trip is a bit of a punt on the weather.
Free and low-cost sights
The scenery is the main draw, and much of it is open country. The Three Sisters rock formation at Katoomba is best seen from Echo Point Lookout, which is also the gateway to other walking trails. The region has some 140 kilometres of walking paths, so a day on foot costs little beyond transport. Check current details with Visit NSW, the official state tourism site, before you go.
On the Aboriginal heritage side, Kings Tableland Aboriginal Place at Wentworth Falls has grinding grooves and carved animal tracks, and dates back 22,000 years. The Red Hands Cave near Glenbrook holds hand stencils from adults and children. To learn more about the Three Sisters story, visit the Waradah Aboriginal Centre at Echo Point. For more ideas, see our pages on Blue Mountains attractions and Blue Mountains activities.
Lower-priced tours
Our Blue Mountains tours page has the full range. Ranked by listed starting price, the cheapest are these.
- Ultimate Blue Mountains and Wildlife Tour: 11 hours, from AUD 305. It is timed for sunset over the escarpment, with a lunch stop in Leura.
- Unforgettable Blue Mountains Day Tour: 11 hours, from AUD 305. It is a small group of no more than five in a 4WD, with morning and afternoon tea included.
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour: 8 hours, from AUD 330. Pickup is from your accommodation or Katoomba train station, and lunch at a local café is included.
Those three give the most hours per dollar. The 11-hour tours start lower than the 8-hour one, which is worth knowing before you assume shorter means cheaper.
Pricier options
Further up the scale, the private tour with a kangaroo and koala experience starts from AUD 420 for eight hours. The Sydney Wildlife Safari is from AUD 440 for 10 hours. The Private Blue Mountains Tour with waterfalls and koalas is from AUD 543.75. The Sydney and Blue Mountains one-day private tour is from AUD 878.38, and the private winery day trip is from AUD 2264.01. Those suit groups wanting privacy rather than savings.
Caravan and holiday parks
Two parks are listed, both with powered sites and cabins. Contact them for current rates and availability before booking.
- Katoomba Falls, in Katoomba.
- Blue Mountains National Park.
For other options, our Blue Mountains accommodation page is the next stop.
Getting there without overspending
The Blue Mountains are 104 km by road from Sydney, about 104 minutes. The region is better reached and explored by car, though you can also get there by train and bus. Orange is 158 km away and Wollongong 161 km, so a combined trip is possible. Background on the region is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Which months are driest?
July is the driest at 36.8 mm, and August has the most sunny days at 28.3. Nights are cold, with July minimums averaging 1.3 degrees.
What is the cheapest tour listed?
The Ultimate Blue Mountains and Wildlife Tour and the Unforgettable Blue Mountains Day Tour, both from AUD 305 for 11 hours.
Which caravan parks are listed?
Katoomba Falls and Blue Mountains National Park, both with powered sites and cabins. Contact them for current rates.
