Katoomba sits 1040 metres above sea level on the Great Western Highway, and it is the main town of the City of Blue Mountains. This Katoomba travel guide covers what the town is known for, what to see, when to go and how to arrive.
It is home to the Three Sisters, it has a railway station, and it works well as a base for bush and nature walks. About 8,268 people lived here at the 2021 census, so it is a proper town with a local cinema, a community radio station and a live music scene, not just a lookout stop.
What Katoomba is known for
Most visitors come for the Three Sisters and the walking country around them. The town is also known for its art deco-style shops and houses, which have drawn poets, artists and environmentalists to live here. Katoomba is the administrative centre of Blue Mountains City Council, and it stands on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples.
The name comes from an Aboriginal term, Kedumba or Katta-toon-bah, meaning "shining falling water". It refers to a waterfall that drops into the Jamison Valley below the Harrys Amphitheatre escarpment. The place was earlier called William's Chimney and Collett's Swamp, then The Crushers in 1874. The name Katoomba was adopted in 1877, and the town became a municipality in 1889.
A short history
Katoomba and nearby Medlow Bath were developed as tourist destinations towards the end of the 19th century, when a series of hotels was built and then repeatedly extended. Coal and oil shale mining in the Jamison Valley ran for many years. When the seams were exhausted by the early 20th century, Katoomba was already an established resort town.
By the 1960s the town had somewhat declined, and several guest houses became convalescent hospitals or were put to other uses. In the 1980s the guest houses and hotels became fashionable again and many were restored.
The Gully
The Gully, in south Katoomba, was a summer encampment for the Darug and Gundungurra peoples long before white settlers arrived. Discriminatory policies early in the 20th century moved many Aboriginal families there. Between 1955 and 1957 dozens of residents were forcibly evicted to clear land for a racetrack, and by 1958 at least 27 children had been taken from their families. Catalina Park, known as the Gully, was declared an Aboriginal Place in May 2002, and in 2012 it was officially declared an Aboriginal place under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. It is ecologically and culturally sensitive, so treat it with respect.
The Gundungurra Tribal Council Aboriginal Corporation is based in Katoomba and has held a registered Native Title Claim since 1995. Several cultural sites in the Blue Mountains share local customs and heritage with visitors.
Main sights and things to do
The Three Sisters at Echo Point is the best-known attraction, and we'd put it first on any list. An easy walk leads to the lookout, and the energetic can take the 800 steps down to the valley floor and climb back up. Just west of the Three Sisters you will find the Scenic Railway, an old coalmining train on a 45 degree incline that is said to be the steepest in Australia, and the Scenic Skyway, which travels 200 metres above the valley.
Around the town there are shops, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, galleries and museums, so a day of wandering is easy. For more detail, see our pages on Katoomba attractions, where to eat in Katoomba and Katoomba activities.
The surrounding national parks offer horse riding, abseiling, rock climbing, canyoning, mountain biking, bushwalking and swimming. Katoomba Falls is a good waterfall to visit, and there is Aboriginal rock art in the region. The town also has an 18 hole golf course, and the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre has a heated pool, a toddler pool and a sauna, which helps if you are travelling with children. Our Katoomba holidays with kids page has more ideas.
Culture and events
The Winter Magic festival, a winter solstice celebration of local talent, art and handicraft, started in 1994 as a local focus for Yulefest. Yulefest promotes Northern Hemisphere-style Christmas celebrations during the Australian winter months, June to August. The Vertical Film Festival has run every second year since 2014. The local cinema is The Edge, on the Great Western Highway, and 89.1 Radio Blue Mountains is based in town.
Novelist and historian Eleanor Dark lived in Katoomba from 1923, and her home Varuna is now Varuna, The Writers' House. Check Katoomba events before you plan dates.
Guided tours and climbing
If you would rather have a local guide, three tours are listed on this site. Check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
- The Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour runs for 8 hours from AUD 330. Pickup is from your Blue Mountains accommodation or Katoomba train station, and lunch at a local café is included.
- The Small-Group Full-Day Rock Climbing Adventure takes 8 hours from AUD 250 and suits beginners through to gym climbers.
- The Small-Group Weekend Rock Climbing Adventure runs over 2 days from AUD 550 and teaches rope work on real Blue Mountains crags.
Katoomba weather and the best time to visit
Katoomba has an oceanic climate with mild summers and cool to cold winters. Summer days are usually in the low 20s, with a few rare days in the 30s, and nights in the low teens. Winter days sit around 10 degrees, with minimums near 0 on clear nights. Temperatures run about 7 degrees lower than Sydney, and misty days are common. The town sees about 80 clear days a year.
Snow gets a lot of attention, but only around five snowy days a year fall in the upper mountains, usually two or three settled snowfalls. Frost and icy windscreens are far more common. The heaviest fall in many years was up to 20 cm on 17 July 2015. Snow below Lawson is extremely rare.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5 | 12.6 | 123.2 | 15.0 |
| February | 22.1 | 12.4 | 145.2 | 15.3 |
| March | 19.7 | 10.5 | 106.9 | 15.0 |
| April | 16.7 | 7.4 | 56.4 | 9.0 |
| May | 13.1 | 4.4 | 48.0 | 6.7 |
| June | 10.2 | 2.4 | 63.6 | 7.7 |
| July | 9.8 | 1.3 | 36.8 | 6.3 |
| August | 11.3 | 1.6 | 45.9 | 6.7 |
| September | 14.9 | 4.0 | 53.0 | 8.3 |
| October | 17.9 | 6.4 | 74.5 | 10.4 |
| November | 20.0 | 8.7 | 104.2 | 13.5 |
| December | 21.9 | 10.8 | 118.7 | 13.3 |
These are 1991-2020 averages for the Blue Mountains area, about 1 km from Katoomba. Autumn and winter are the driest stretch, with July the driest month at about 37 mm. Summer is warmest but wettest, with February at about 145 mm. We reckon August is a good pick for clear skies, with the most sunny days at about 28, though you will want a warm jacket.
How to get to Katoomba
Katoomba is 102 km by road west of the Sydney CBD and 39 km south-east of Lithgow, on the Great Western Highway and the Great Western Railway. Katoomba railway station serves the town, and the full-day guided tour can collect you from there.
| From the Blue Mountains to | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 104 km | about 104 minutes |
| Central Coast | 150 km | about 144 minutes |
| Orange | 158 km | about 155 minutes |
| Wollongong | 161 km | about 146 minutes |
| Mudgee | 168 km | about 157 minutes |
| Newcastle | 233 km | about 204 minutes |
| Hunter Valley | 237 km | about 210 minutes |
| South Coast | 260 km | about 239 minutes |
For wider planning, see our Blue Mountains destination guide, and the state tourism site Visit NSW is also useful.
Where to stay
Katoomba has a range of places to stay. Browse Katoomba accommodation for the full spread. For campers and caravanners, two parks are listed: Katoomba Falls, with powered sites and cabins, and Blue Mountains National Park, also with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
More background on the town is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Katoomba?
Sometimes, but not often. There are around five snowy days a year in the upper mountains, usually two or three settled snowfalls. Frost is much more common.
How far is Katoomba from Sydney?
It is 102 km by road west of the Sydney CBD. The drive from the Blue Mountains to Sydney is about 104 minutes, and Katoomba railway station also serves the town.
How much cooler is Katoomba than Sydney?
On average about 7 degrees cooler, with many misty days. Winter days are typically around 10 degrees.
