Getting Here
The close proximity of the Blue Mountains to Sydney makes it an ideal getaway for a day trip, however, many days are required to truly experience the magic of the Blue Mountains.
Driving to The Blue Mountains
| Travel Distances from Sydney | |
|---|---|
| Town | Km |
| Glenbrook | 74 |
| Springwood | 84 |
| Lawson | 95 |
| Wentworth Falls | 113 |
| Leura | 119 |
| Katoomba | 122 |
| Blackheath | 133 |
| Megalong Valley (turn off at Blackheath) | 144 |
| Mount Victoria | 138 |
| Mount Tomah (via Bells Line of Road) | 121 |
| Clarence (Zig Zag Railway) | 127 |
| Lithgow | 161 |
| Jenolan Caves/Oberon | 194 |
The most popular means of transport to the Blue Mountains is by car. The entrance to the Blue Mountains at Glenbrook/Lapstone is only around 50 minutes drive from Sydney. From the city, follow the signs to Parramatta. The M4 Motorway starts at Strathfield and takes you through to Lapstone in the Blue Mountains.
Many accommodation guides will tell you that the Blue Mountains is a 90 minute drive from Sydney, however, Blue Mountains Web acknowledges that there is far more to the Blue Mountains than the popular tourist destination of Leura / Katoomba (90 minutes from Sydney).
An alternative route to the Blue Mountains is via Bell’s Line of Road which starts at Richmond and takes you through to Mount Tomah and Bell, and across to Mount Victoria. This drive is extremely pleasant through the vast Blue Mountains National Park, a contrast to the main thoroughfare of the Great Western Highway.
If you are travelling from the outer west, follow the signs to Lithgow, then through to Hartley where you will enter the Blue Mountains via Victoria Pass taking you straight to the top at Mount Victoria.
Catching a Train to The Blue Mountains
| Approximate Travel Times by Train | |
|---|---|
| Destination | Hours |
| Sydney to Glenbrook | 1 |
| Sydney to Springwood | 1.25 |
| Sydney to Hazelbrook | 1.5 |
| Sydney to Wentworth Falls | 1.75 |
| Sydney to Katoomba | 2 |
| Sydney to Mount Victoria | 2.25 |
| Sydney to Lithgow | 2.75 |
Possibly the most relaxing way to travel to the Blue Mountains is by rail. Transport for NSW offers an extremely efficient service to the Blue Mountains. If you are flying into Sydney, there is a rail link taking passengers directly from Sydney Airport to Central Railway Station.
From Central you can board an air-conditioned double decker Mountains train. The fast journey to the Mountains will most likely stop at Strathfield, Parramatta, Penrith, Emu Plains, and then all stations up the Blue Mountains.
Most trains go through to Mount Victoria. Some even go as far as Lithgow. Trains generally run every hour and even more frequently during peak commuter times. Taxis are readily available from Blaxland, Springwood, Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba Railway Stations.
Visit Transport for NSW for Train Timetables
Travelling by Coach to The Mountains
Many coach companies offer day trips to the Blue Mountains. Coaches generally leave from Circular Quay in Sydney. Check with your travel agent or hotel for preferred coach companies, details of tours and costs.
See a list of companies offering Tours to The Blue Mountains >>
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