Cahill's Lookout
Viewpoint on Katoomba's western edge overlooking Megalong Valley. Fewer buses than Echo Point, good for sunset.
Australia
Katoomba
Town
The largest town in the Blue Mountains and a gateway to Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Scenic World. Katoomba Street is lined with cafés, second-hand shops and Art Deco façades from its spa-town era.
by Felix Gillen
The largest town in the Blue Mountains and a gateway to Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Scenic World. Katoomba Street is lined with cafés, second-hand shops and Art Deco façades from its spa-town era.
Sehenswürdigkeiten
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Echo Point Lookout (Three Sisters)
Lookouts above Jamison Valley overlooking the Three Sisters. This is also where the trail to the First Sister and the Giant Stairway begins. Come early morning or late afternoon when it's quieter.
Katoomba Falls
Waterfall at the edge of Jamison Valley near Scenic World. Short paths lead to viewpoints above and to a pool at the foot of the upper tier.
Giant Stairway
Steep stone and metal stairs descend into Jamison Valley next to the Three Sisters. Below, you can walk via Dardanelles Pass to Scenic World and ride the train back up.
Prince Henry Cliff walk
Cliff walk from Katoomba Falls via Echo Point to Leura, approximately seven kilometers long. Many viewpoints along the way, and you can get on or off at several points.
Katoomba Scenic World
Privately operated facility on the valley rim, with a funicular, a gondola over the gorge, a cable car to the valley, and a rainforest boardwalk. The Railway is one of the world's steepest passenger railways. Cheaper tickets online.
Essen & Trinken
Restaurant and cocktail bar upstairs on Katoomba Street with vintage decor. Ideal for a cozy dinner.
Bar at the station with wood-fired pizza and beer. Handy before or after your train, often live music evenings.
Popular cafe on Katoomba Street for breakfast, brunch, and coffee. Often busy on weekends.
Elegant resort with 2 restaurants, 2 bars, lounge, spa, fitness room, and infinity pool.
Bar and brasserie in an old bank building on Katoomba Street. Pub fare and drinks, lively in the evenings.
Indian restaurant in the center with curries and dosas, also for takeout.
Food & Beverages
Katoomba Street is the town's dining street – from breakfast cafés to hotel bars within a few hundred meters.
Cafes on Katoomba Street
Between the train station and Echo Point Road, cafés line old storefronts. Breakfast is usually served for a long time, as many hikers arrive late.
Historic Hotel Bars
You can visit the Carrington Hotel even without staying overnight. Stained glass and high ceilings evoke the spa town era.
High-altitude Cuisine
At 1,000 meters, it's cooler than on the coast, which means there are more pies, soups, and stews. In winter, fireplaces are lit in many eateries.
Culture & Character
Between Spa Town and CountercultureKatoomba grew with the railway, as Sydneysiders sought mountain air. The first hotel (1882) was renamed Carrington after the governor. With its stained glass and high ceilings, it still stands at the main street's top. The Blue Mountains are home to Aboriginal groups like Darug and Gundungurra; the Three Sisters are protected as an Aboriginal Place.TodayThe town has kept a slightly alternative vibe: second-hand shops along Katoomba Street, with Art Deco facades in between. Large-format murals adorn Beverly Place. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre houses a town gallery, visitor centre, and regional landscape exhibition.
Orientation & Arrival
Getting ThereKatoomba is located about 100 kilometers west of Sydney on the Great Western Highway. Blue Mountains Line trains run from Central Station to the town in about two hours.Around TownIt's about 2.5 kilometers downhill from the train station to Echo Point; the return journey is more strenuous. A hop-on-hop-off bus connects the train station, Echo Point, Scenic World, and Leura; local buses run to Wentworth Falls and Blackheath. If driving, arrive early: parking lots at Echo Point and Scenic World fill up quickly on weekends.
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