How to Book a Blue Mountains Tour from Sydney: Access, What to Wear & Travel Tips [World Heritage]

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Visiting Sydney isn’t complete without experiencing the breathtaking Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its vast landscapes, eucalyptus forests, and iconic rock formations.

Although I hadn’t originally planned to go, a friend insisted that it was a must-see—and I’m glad I listened. The sheer scale and beauty of the Blue Mountains left me absolutely amazed.

In this article, I’ll share how to join a Blue Mountains tour from Sydney, the easiest ways to get there, what to wear, and why this natural wonder is worth adding to your itinerary.

What Are the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains National Park is one of Australia’s most famous World Heritage sites, standing alongside the Sydney Opera House.

Spanning over 4,000 kilometers of forests, valleys, and dramatic sandstone cliffs, the area gets its distinctive blue haze from the eucalyptus trees. The oil released by these trees mixes with sunlight and dust particles in the air, creating the “blue” effect that gives the mountains their name.

There are around 500 species of eucalyptus in Australia, but only a few are the preferred food of koalas. If you’re lucky, you may even spot wild koalas and kangaroos in the Blue Mountains.

September is a particularly busy month, with large numbers of tourists visiting, including many from Asia. To give some context, Australia welcomed about 5.88 million international visitors in 2013, and that number has continued to grow each year.

The Three Sisters: The Most Iconic Landmark of the Blue Mountains

The first stop on my tour was Echo Point, a famous lookout spot. The name comes from the fact that you can supposedly hear your voice echo across the valley—though in my case, no matter how loudly I shouted, there was no echo at all.

From Echo Point, you’ll see the legendary rock formation known as the Three Sisters. According to an Aboriginal legend, the Three Sisters were once beautiful young women who caught the eye of a powerful tribal chief. To protect them, a sorcerer transformed the sisters into stone. However, the sorcerer was killed before he could turn them back into humans, leaving the sisters frozen in rock forever.

Standing in front of these massive rock pillars, it’s easy to understand why they’ve become one of the most photographed landmarks in the Blue Mountains.

That said, I must warn you—it was extremely windy during my visit in September. Even without considering that I was wearing just shorts and a T-shirt, it was pretty cold. Australia may have been transitioning from winter to spring, but the chill and strong winds were still very much present.

Scenic World: Exploring the Blue Mountains by Cableway and Railway

Many visitors to the Blue Mountains head to Scenic World, where you can enjoy panoramic views by cable car or railway. Personally, I skipped it on my trip because it was simply too cold outside that day—but it’s one of the most popular attractions in the area.

Scenic World offers three types of rides:

• Scenic Railway – A thrilling incline railway with a maximum gradient of 52 degrees, originally built for coal mining and now repurposed for tourism. Accompanied by Indiana Jones–style music, it speeds down into the lush Jamison Valley.
• Scenic Skyway – A cable car that glides across the valley, offering stunning aerial views.
• Scenic Cableway – Another cable car that descends directly into the valley floor.

The site also has souvenir shops where you can pick up gifts to bring home.

Depending on the season, wait times for the rides can stretch up to four hours, especially with large numbers of international tourists. At times, it honestly felt like being at Disneyland—proof of just how popular Scenic World has become.

Kings Tableland: A Hidden Gem of the Blue Mountains

Unlike the more developed attractions, Kings Tableland is a hidden gem with no observation decks, parking lots, or restrooms. The access road is unpaved, and as our bus rattled along, I honestly wondered, “Is this really safe?”

What makes this spot special is the chance to walk right up to the edge of the dramatic sandstone cliffs. Peering down into the valley reminded me of the time I went bungee jumping in Kumamoto, Japan. But here, there are no fences, safety ropes, or barriers—so you need to be extremely cautious.

At one point, I got a little too carried away and tried sitting on the edge for a photo, but the guide quickly scolded me. Lesson learned!

Because Kings Tableland is less developed, it’s far quieter than other tourist sites in the Blue Mountains. The peaceful atmosphere makes it a perfect place to take in the breathtaking scenery without the crowds.

How to Book a Blue Mountains Tour from Sydney

Booking a Blue Mountains tour is simple and only takes about five minutes online. For my trip, I booked through VELTRA Sydney Optional Tours just two days before departure.

The cost was around AUD 80, which came to about JPY 6,967 at the time (September 2017). Interestingly, despite what I’d heard before traveling, the Japanese yen was slightly stronger than the Australian dollar then—so it felt like a good deal.

Payment is easiest by credit card. When booking, you’ll need to provide your hotel details in Sydney (address and phone number). Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive an email within 24 hours with all the necessary information. If you don’t receive it, make sure to contact the tour operator.

On the day of the tour, the bus picked me up directly from my hotel and even dropped me off at the location of my choice afterward, which was super convenient. The entire tour was guided in Japanese, making it easy and stress-free to enjoy the experience.

Our guide, who had lived in Japan for many years, was not only knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humor, keeping the ride lively and entertaining.

The journey from central Sydney to the Blue Mountains takes about an hour and a half by bus. In my case, we departed around 7:20 AM and returned to the city by 2:00 PM.

Join a Blue Mountains Tour and Experience Breathtaking Views

Visiting the Blue Mountains was the second World Heritage site I explored in Australia, and it was absolutely worth it. The vast natural beauty—so different from anything in Japan—was truly awe-inspiring.

Of course, there are many more attractions in the Blue Mountains that I haven’t covered here. I recommend checking out official tour sites for additional options and hidden gems.

If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, don’t miss the chance to experience the majesty of the Blue Mountains for yourself. It’s an unforgettable adventure that will leave you with lasting memories of Australia’s great outdoors.