Are you seeking an epic family holidays NSW experience? Then you need to go on a Blue Mountains trip. It’ll have you creating a fun itinerary, full of things to do in Blue Mountains with the kids.
Located only an hour’s drive away from Sydney (62km) via the M4, this stunning World-Heritage listed region attracts many visitors each year.
It’s also a popular place to visit for families as there are plenty of Blue Mountains activities to enjoy, and it’s easy to see why from this 50 Things To Do in the Blue Mountains guide.
With spectacular natural attractions, sights, boutique shopping, wonderful vineyards, museums and galleries and a relaxed atmosphere – the Blue Mountains will help you create fun-filled memories with your kids and family.
To make the most of your time we profile some of the best Blue Mountains activities the whole family will love.
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Top Things To Do In Blue Mountains For Families:
1. Three Sisters Lookout
One of the most famous landmarks in the Blue Mountains is the Three Sisters, an unusual rock formation towering high above the Jamison Valley.
Standing over 900 metres tall, the Three Sisters is a spectacular sight and offers some beautiful and intense walking tracks.
There is one trail ‘The Giant Stairway’ that takes you up close to the Three Sisters mountains and then down to the valley floor via more than 800 steps.
This is one of the Blue Mountains walks that are more suitable for the older kids, while the Three Sisters walking track is a great easy trek for the young ones.
It offers lovely views of the Blue Mountains and allows you to get up close to the Three Sister and is only 800 metres, taking from 25-45 minutes to complete.
Three Sisters Lookout.
A popular spot to see this landmark is the Three Sisters Lookout also known as Echo Point Lookout. Here you’ll not only be able to get landscape photos of the Three Sisters but the views of Jamison Valley are stunning.
Also, why not drop by the Echo Point Visitor Centre to learn some interesting the Three Sisters facts like how it’s up to 922 metres tall, is made of sandstone and each rock has a name (Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo) due to the Three Sisters Legend.
Where: Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Katoomba
Open: Daily 24 hours
Cost: FREE
2. Jenolan Caves Tours
Now this will take your breath away. The Jenolan Caves is renowned for its spectacular limestone cave formations.
Dating back to at least 340 million years, the Jenolan Caves is the world’s oldest known open cave system.
The fascinating thing is the cave network is so vast – it has over 40kms of multi-level passages and it’s still undergoing active exploration today.
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Over 250,000 tourists visit each year to get a glimpse at the cave’s magnificent limestone formations and underground rivers.
Because of its natural beauty, serenity and history, the Jenolan Caves makes it one of the most popular family attractions in the Blue Mountains.
It’ll have you walking through ancient passageways with only a headlamp to light your way – the Jenolan Caves day trip is a must.
Jenolan Caves tour.
There are a number of guided Jenolan Cave tours operating day or night.
Jenolan Caves tickets cost from $42 (adults), $28 (child). While there’s a bunch of tours running with Jenolan Caves tour prices starting from $35 per person.
TIP: As it’s one of the most specular natural attractions in Australia, why not consider staying in the area. There are some great Jenolan Caves cabins, Jenolan Caves House and Jenolan Caves camping options available.
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For the latest Jenolan Caves accommodation deals click here.
Where: 4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves
Open: Daily 9-5pm; Fri & Sat offer night tours from 8pm-10pm
Cost: From $42 (adults), $28 (child), $95 (family pass)
3. Wentworth Falls Hike
A great spot for outdoor exploring and waterfall chasing with the kids is Wentworth Falls.
Suitable for all fitness levels and ages, our favourite Wentworth Falls bushwalk is the Fletchers Lookout.
This easy grade track takes around an hour to complete (including return) and offers spanning views of Mount Solitary, Kings Tableland and Jamison Valley.
During your Wentworth Falls hike, you’ll come across a lovely spot at the top of Wentworth Falls called Queen’s Cascade Falls.
Wentworth Falls hike to Queen’s Cascade Falls.
It’s a perfect scenic area to rest, take some photos and soak up the calming sounds of the rainforest and cascading water.
Also if you’re up for some Wentworth Falls swimming there is a beautiful swimming pool at the bottom, but we advise it’s more suitable for older children as there are some steep steps to negotiate down and back up.
To help you plan your trip, here is a handy Wentworth Falls walks map.
Blue Mountains waterfalls.
TIP: If you do hike the easy grade treks with a toddler (up to 20kg), be sure to bring a baby carrier like the ErgoBaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier. It’s super comfy, supportive and has a cool air mesh design to prevent overheating.
Where: Falls Road, Wentworth Falls
Open: Daily 24 hours (Heritage Centre is open 9-4.30pm).
Cost: FREE
4. Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum
Want to see the largest collection of toys, trains and memorabilia in the Southern Hemisphere?
Then you’re in luck as the Blue Mountains offer this at the Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum.
Housed in a historic early 20th-century mansion, you can see such interactive displays and collections as Barbie, Popeye, Tintin and Alice in Wonderland.
Mini train at the Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum.
You’ll also be entertained for hours as you explore and stroll through their museum’s gorgeous five-hectare gardens and experience the Blue Mountains views from the property.
Some of the key museum highlights include seeing Australia’s largest Barbie collection, pre-war dolls, seasonal Christmas displays and the impressive Matterhorn Garden Railway.
Where: 36 Olympian Parade, Leura
Cost: From $14 (adults), $6 (kids)
Open: Daily 10-5pm
5. Yellow Deli Katoomba
For a truly unique dining experience that makes you feel like you’re on the set of The Hobbit, you must head to the Yellow Deli Katoomba.
This venue is perfect for a warm lunch serving up hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, herbal teas and delectable desserts.
Yellow Deli Katoomba inside decor.
Inside its extremely cosy decorated with log-carved booths, a stone fireplace, hanging vines and dim lighting.
It’s definitely a quirky place packed with diners serving delicious and affordable food.
The only thing to be aware of is the Yellow Deli is a religiously run venue, however, it isn’t really in your face and most diners don’t even realise it at the time.
Yellow Deli Katoomba hearty meals.
Where: 214 Katoomba St, Katoomba
Open: Sun-Thurs 10-8pm; Fri 10-3pm
Cost: meals from $6
WATCH: Check out the below Blue Mountains trip video profiling most of the above attractions:
How to get to Blue Mountains?
Located in West NSW, Blue Mountains is closest to Sydney making it a popular getaway for families living in Sydney.
However, it’s an internationally recognised travel destination and is also accessible from other major cities via car and flights. Below is the travel time and most convenient transport options to help get you and the family to Blue Mountains for your next family holidays NSW trip.
- Sydney to Blue Mountains – Distance 62km. Drive 1hr via M4
- Canberra to Blue Mountains – Distance 329km. Drive 3hrs via M31
- Melbourne to Blue Mountains – Distance 921km. Fly to Sydney (1.5hrs) and drive (1hr)
- Brisbane to Blue Mountains – Distance 946km. Fly to Sydney (1.5hrs) and drive (1hr)
- Adelaide to Blue Mountains – Distance 1,227km. Fly to Sydney (2hrs) and drive (1hr)
- Hobart to Blue Mountains – Distance 1,640km. Fly to Sydney (2hrs) and drive (1hr)
- Perth to Blue Mountains – Distance 3,841km. Fly to Sydney (4hrs) and drive (1hr)
- Darwin to Blue Mountains – Distance 3,871km. Fly to Sydney (4hrs) and drive (1hr)
Blue Mountains Family Accommodation
Not sure where to stay in the Blue Mountains with the family?
What’s great about this area is there are numerous Blue Mountains family accommodation options available.
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From Leura, Blackheath, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls – you won’t have a problem finding a comfortable, cosy Blue Mountain hotels or guesthouse property.
Here are some of our favourite family friendly Blue Mountains accommodation options available to book:
- Sidneys Retreat, Katoomba
- Bunyip Cottage, Katoomba
- Old Leura Dairy, Leura
- Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
- Falls Mountain Retreat, Wentworth Falls
- Poet’s Cottage, Wentworth Falls
- Brantwood Cottage, Blackheath
- Federation Gardens & Possums Hideaway, Blackheath
DEALS: Here are more places to stay in the Blue Mountains and the latest Blue Mountains holiday deals.
MORE: Want more family holidays NSW hotspots to visit? Then you need to check out Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands. Here are some pretty epic things to do in Bowral activities for the family to experience.
Have you been on a Blue Mountains trip? Share your top things to do in Blue Mountains activities.
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