Blue Mountains & Oberon (Jenolan Caves closed until early 2027)

1. Scenic World~2 h 30 min at the stop

The world's steepest passenger railway plunges into the Jamison Valley; cableways glide back over the eucalypt canopy. One ticket covers unlimited rides.

Tip: Price: from A$64 / child from A$38.40. Scenic World opens 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. Arrive at opening and book a session online, as weekend slots sell out. Under-3s are free.

↓ walk · 20 min · 1.3 km

2. Echo Point & the Three Sisters~45 min at the stop

The Blue Mountains' signature lookout: three sandstone pinnacles from Gundungurra legend above an endless valley. A clifftop track links it to Scenic World.

Tip: The cliff track from Scenic World lands you here. Stand to the left of the main rail. The sisters read one by one from there.

↓ drive · 6 min · 3.2 km

3. Leura Mall~1 h 30 min at the stop

The mountains' prettiest street: cherry trees, bookshops, antiques and cafes. Dinner and the night's stay: here or in neighbouring Katoomba.

Tip: Lunch is at Cafe Leura, 180A Leura Mall, every day 8:00 to 15:00. That is not dinner: the kitchen closes at 15:00. Sleep in Leura or Katoomba. Book a Saturday table.

4. Govetts Leap lookout~30 min at the stop

A Grose Valley view many rate above Echo Point. With barely any crowds. Bridal Veil Falls drops in a thin ribbon to one side.

Tip: The main platform has a rail. Bridal Veil Falls shows after rain. Morning fog can swallow the whole valley.

↓ drive · 10 min · 5 km

5. Pulpit Rock (unfenced edges)~40 min at the stop

A narrow rock spur with a three-way lookout over the valley. Some edges are unfenced. Keep children to the main platform.

Tip: The edges are unfenced. With children, stay on the main platform. The rock is slippery after rain.

↓ drive · 25 min · 15 km

6. Megalong Valley Tearooms (est. 1956)~1 h at the stop

A winding descent into pastoral Megalong Valley. And scones with cream at tearooms pouring since 1956. The mountains' gentler, valley-floor face.

Tip: The tea rooms are now part of the LOT 101 estate (824 Megalong Road) and open daily 9am to 3pm. The famous scones with blackberry jam and cream are A$15; there is a 10% Sunday and 15% public holiday surcharge. The road down is steep and you climb back the same way.

7. Oberon town~45 min at the stop

A cool-climate timber town on the plateau beyond the ranges. In autumn people come for pine-forest mushrooming and golden poplars.

Tip: Fuel and coffee here, before the garden. In autumn the poplars along the streets are the view.

↓ drive · 10 min · 9 km

8. Mayfield Garden~2 h at the stop

One of the world's largest privately owned cool-climate gardens: water garden, obelisk, cascades. Allow at least two hours to walk it.

Tip: Price: A$38 / child A$17. Price is in the stop name. The garden opens daily 9am to 4:30pm, last entry 3pm, closed 25 and 26 December. Allow two hours and wear shoes for gravel paths.

↓ drive · 50 min · 56 km

9. Return via Mount Victoria~30 min at the stop

The way home over Victoria Pass. The convict-built 1830s mountain crossing. Coffee in village-like Mount Victoria before the descent towards Sydney.

Tip: Coffee in the village, then Victoria Pass. The pass winds. Daylight is easier than fog.