Planning to take a day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney? You can absolutely do it, and you absolutely should. Our day trip to Australia’s Blue Mountains National Park was one of my favorite days on my Australia trip, and it was made even better that we could get there easily from our Sydney lodging.
So if you’re like me and planning a day trip vs. staying out near the park, here are my recommendations on how to make your day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney go super smoothly.
The Short Version
- Use public transit to get there
- Research hiking routes beforehand to map out your day
- Explore Scenic World
- Buy tickets for the bus and Scenic World beforehand
- Use the bus to get around the park
- Wear proper footwear
- Hiking clothes too if you’re exploring the routes
- Pack a small daypack
- Pay attention to final train times
Tours to Consider
Fan of excursions or don’t have a car to get you to the park? Consider one of these tours:
The Long Version of a Day Trip to Blue Mountains National Park from Sydney
Australia’s Blue Mountains are seriously stunning, and you’ll have a blast exploring them no matter how you choose to. After spending a day in this gorgeous park, these are my best tips for how to plan best for your day trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
1 – Use Public Transit From Sydney
If you’re on a budget or don’t want to rent a car, you can take public transit for super cheap! You can absolutely do a day trip to the Blue Mountains by train, and it’s super comfortable and easy to do so. You ask, “How to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney?” and this is how! Snag the train from Sydney to Katoomba, and then snag the bus in Katoomba into the park – it’s literally that easy. The train to Katoomba is about a 90 minute ride each way and pretty roomy! I had a great time riding the train from Sydney to Blue Mountains National Park.
2 – Research Hiking Routes Beforehand
And in that 90 minutes while you’re on the train, if you haven’t already, do some research into what hiking routes you want. Figure out what you want to see (waterfalls, the Three Sisters, etc.) and what routes will take you closest to those things so you can map out your day. I always use AllTrails to do this.
3 – Explore Scenic World
Scenic World is SO MUCH FUN. It’s a small amusement park within Blue Mountain National Park that offers a lot of different ways to explore the park, including a railway, cableway, skyway, and walkway. I consider this a must at the park because they’re such unique ways to explore Blue Mountains National Park.
4 – Buy Key Tickets Prior to Your Arrival
Buy tickets online for the bus and for Scenic World so you don’t have to when you get there. Those lines can get pretty nuts, so save your time and purchase beforehand. This is where we purchased our tickets for Scenic World and the bus.
5 – Use the Bus to Get Around the Park
The bus is your best friend! You bought the tickets so definitely use them and use the bus to hop on and off at key stops. Another pro tip? Time your hikes around bus dropoff and pickup times.
6 – Wear the Right Shoes
Absolutely wear tennis or hiking shoes. You may want that perfect “do it for the ‘gram” pic with those adorable chunky heels but but to get the best views, you’ll be hiking and I promise that will not be fun for you.
7 – Dress to Hike if You’re Going to Be Hiking
And in that same vein, some easy to hike in clothes. Leggings or shorts are ideal. I hiked in some jeggings and wish I would have had more breathable pants for sure.
8 – Pack a Small Daypack
Pack a small easy-to-carry backpack for water, camera, and whatever else you’d like to carry on the trip. Maybe a sweat towel? I’m not kidding about the hiking ha. It’s not that all of the trails are super intense but you’ll definitely sweat if you’re hiking for hours!
9 – Pay Attention to Final Train Times
If you do take public transit, pay attention to the time for the final trains. The last Blue Mountains bus was around 5pm, and our train was around 7pm, so if you can time it you can get some awesome food in Katoomba before heading back to Sydney.
The trip was awesome, the day was one of my favorites from my trip to Australia, and my only regret is not getting there earlier to spend more time. A day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney MUST be on your to do list. Have any questions or want to to chat about it? Shoot me a note or reach out to me on Instagram or TikTok.
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