Things to Do in Katoomba: Walks, Sights and Tours

Katoomba sits at 1040 metres above sea level on the Great Western Highway, and it is the base most visitors choose for bush and nature walks across the Blue Mountains. Our list of Katoomba activities starts with the famous rock formations and works out into the surrounding national parks.

The town is home to the Three Sisters, about 102 km by road west of the Sydney CBD. Below we cover the sights, the outdoor options, the tours listed on this site, the weather you can expect and a few ways to fill the quieter hours in town.

The Three Sisters and the big sights

The Three Sisters are the best known attraction in the Katoomba region. The older approach is the easy walk to the lookout at Eco Point, where the views run as far as the eye can see. If you are feeling energetic, a flight of around 800 steps leads down to the valley floor and back up again, which is a very direct way to get close to the bush. Be honest about your knees before you start; the climb back is the hard part.

Just west of the Three Sisters is the Scenic Railway, a former coalmining train built on a 45 degree angle and described as the steepest railway in Australia. The Scenic Skyway travels about 200 metres above the valley. Both give a different angle on the cliffs, and we reckon they suit anyone who would rather see the Jamison Valley without a long walk.

For more on what is worth seeing, our Katoomba attractions page goes through the main sights.

Walks, waterfalls and national parks

Katoomba takes its name from an Aboriginal term meaning shining falling water, after a waterfall that drops into the Jamison Valley below the Harrys Amphitheatre escarpment. Katoomba Falls is still a good place to start. The falls are in the surrounding national park, where you can also find Aboriginal rock art formations.

The national parks around town open up a long list of outdoor activities:

• bushwalking and hiking
• abseiling, rock climbing and canyoning
• horse riding and mountain biking
• four wheel driving and hang gliding
• swimming at the waterfalls, even in winter for the brave

If you plan to stay close to the bush, the Blue Mountains National Park listing shows powered sites and cabins, and the Katoomba Falls park offers the same in Katoomba itself. Neither lists a price, so contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.

Tours you can book

Three tours are listed for Katoomba on this site. Prices are shown as listed, and you will find more on our Katoomba tours page.

Full day guided tour

The Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour gives you eight hours with a local guide who tailors the route to your interests and any previous visits. Expect valleys, distinctive rock formations and lesser-known lookouts. Pickup is from your Blue Mountains accommodation or Katoomba train station, and lunch at a local café is included.

Rock climbing

The full-day climbing outing suits absolute beginners through to gym climbers ready for real rock. A qualified guide covers safety, equipment handling, foothold and handhold technique, belaying and movement across multiple pitches. Those who want more can try the two-day weekend course, which teaches rope work and technical movement on actual Blue Mountains crags.

Weather and the best time for activities

Katoomba has an oceanic climate with mild summers and cool to cold winters. Temperatures run on average about 7 °C lower than Sydney, and misty days are common. Skies are clear on around 80 days a year.

For walking, the drier months from April to October have fewer rain days, with July the driest at about 37 mm. Summer is warmer but wetter, with February the wettest month. Winter brings frost, and there are usually two or three settled snowfalls a year, though only around five snowy days in the upper mountains.

Things to do in town

Katoomba has art deco-style shops and houses, galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants, so a wet day need not be wasted. Our Katoomba dining page is a good place to plan a meal. The local cinema is The Edge, on the Great Western Highway, and there is a live entertainment scene with music and theatre. The town has hosted the biennial Vertical Film Festival since 2014.

Varuna, The Writers' House, was the home of novelist and historian Eleanor Dark. Winter Magic, a winter solstice festival of local talent, art and handicraft, has run since 1994 as part of Yulefest, which promotes Northern Hemisphere-style Christmas celebrations from June to August.

Families will find more ideas for younger visitors at the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, which has indoor and outdoor activities, a heated pool, a toddler pool and a sauna. Golfers can play an 18 hole course with views. See our Katoomba holidays with kids page for more.

Getting there and what to know

Katoomba railway station serves the town, and it lies 39 km south-east of Lithgow. From the Blue Mountains area, Sydney is 104 km and about 104 minutes by road. Orange is 158 km (about 155 minutes) and Wollongong is 161 km (about 146 minutes).

The town stands on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. The Gully, also called Catalina Park, is an Aboriginal Place and an ecologically and culturally sensitive area, so treat it with respect. For wider planning, see our Blue Mountains destination guide and the state tourism site Visit NSW. Further background is on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous thing to do in Katoomba?

The Three Sisters, reached by an easy walk to the lookout at Eco Point. A longer route of around 800 steps leads to the valley floor.

Can beginners try rock climbing near Katoomba?

Yes. The full-day small-group outing, from AUD 250, suits absolute beginners, and the weekend course from AUD 550 suits those wanting to learn rope work on real crags.

Does it snow in Katoomba?

Sometimes. There are usually two or three settled snowfalls per year, and around five snowy days in the upper mountains. Frost is more common.