Scenic World is a park with rides (train, cable car) and walkways to explore Australia’s World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, located on the corner of Violet Street & Cliff Drive, in Katoomba. At the Blue Mountains, blue haze blankets the mountains of eucalyptus forest. About 2km away, Echo Point is the Lookout spot to view the Three Sisters rock formation at close range. According to Aboriginal legend, the 3 sisters were turned to stones by an elder to protect them. These are popular tourist destinations so they will be crowded.
Tips: At Scenic World, the restaurants are only located at the main building, so it is wise to eat first if you are hungry before embarking on any rides. Go there early and take the rides as the crowd built up later in the day. The last ride is at 4.50pm.
I think it was an enjoyable day exploring the Blue Mountains with different modes of transport, walkways and bush trails. The cable cars allowed us to view the mountains in a more extensive way. Waiting time wasn’t too bad, it was part of the fun. Walking was good but certain areas were rather sunny.
To go to Katoomba, you can travel from Sydney (about 100 kilometres) by:
- Car – 1h 40m drive
- Train – from Central Station, take the BMT (Blue Mountains Train) Line – Mount Victoria via Parramatta to Katoomba Station (1h 58m – 20 stops). Costs about AUD5.95 (with Opal card) one way (off-peak hours). We traveled on a Sunday with Opal so the fee was capped at $2.60 for all rides (train and bus)! At Sydney Central Station, check the screen for the platform number. Calculate your fare here.
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| We were contemplating on driving to the Blue mountains but finally decided on a train ride. Did not have to worry about the car insurance, driver’s license and we could just sit back, relax and enjoy the view. |
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| Train to Katoomba. Quite comfortable ride in this double decker train |
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| Katoomba Train Station |
From the train station:
- Walk 2 min to the Bus Stop outside Carrington Hotel, take bus 686 to Scenic World (3km) – Timetable. Getting around with bus is quite convenient, may have to stand sometimes. Wait time is 15 – 30 min. The bus stops at Echo Point, Katoomba Falls Road, Skyway Station, Scenic World (if you take the Skyway from here, you have to pay at the Scenic World main station where the entrance is), etc.
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| Carrington Hotel bus stop |
- Other options: Hop on either a Blue Mountains Explorer (AUD44, every 30 min) or Trolley Tours bus
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| Hop-on Hop-off Blue mountains Explorer counter is just outside the train station. From here, cross the road to Carrington Hotel Bus Stop |
- Or you could walk 30 minute the Three Sisters Echo Point or Scenic World
Rides and Walkway at Scenic World
1. Scenic Railway (red) – Capacity: 84 pax. It is the steepest passenger railway in the world that offers glass-roofed carriages and expansive views of the rainforest setting and spectacular Jamison Valley. There is a button at the side of the carriage to adjust the seated position up to 20 degrees. The original is at 52 degrees. While waiting in line, the crew went asking where the visitors were from and then sang a tune about that country. Disembark at the bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway and stroll through 2.4 kilometres of rainforest.
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| Time for wefie while waiting for our turns. Scenic views everywhere. |
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| Scenic Railway with glass roofed carriages, the steepest passenger railway in the world. |
From Railway bottom station we went to the Cableway bottom station via Scenic Walkway.
2. Scenic Walkway (green) – Options for various walks taking 15, 30 or 50 mins on an elevated boardwalk through 2.4 kilometres of Jurassic rainforest. Walkway loops are clearly signposted. There are 2 access points: Railway (red) or Cableway (blue) bottom station.
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| Scenic Walkway routes are clearly signposted. |
3. Scenic Cableway (blue) – Capacity: 84 pax. The Cableway’s fully enclosed cabin provides a unique vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls in the 510m journey. Disembark at the Cableway Bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway (green).
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| Cableway bottom station |
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| Inside Cableway |
4. Scenic Skyway (yellow) – Suspended 270 metres above ravines, rainforest canopy, you can view the Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley stretching to the horizon. There is a small area of glass floor to view the rainforest beneath the feet. We got down at the Skyway’s east station to access the Katoomba Falls lookout (via Prince Henry Cliff Walk: go down some stairs, 5min walk) and bush trail to Echo Point (1.1km walk, 45min one way with plenty of gorgeous lookout points).
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| Skyway (yellow) main station |
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| The Skyway cabin provides a unique thrill as breathtaking views are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass floor. |
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| Katoomba Falls |
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| Bush trail from Scenic Skyway east station to Echo Point. Some of them crossed over the perimeter fence for some photos by the cliff. |
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| Arrived at Echo Point – The Three Sisters rock formation which is a popular tourist attraction. According to Aboriginal legend, the 3 sisters turned into stones. |
Alternatively, from Scenic World take bus 686 to Echo Point Rd opp Cliff Dr (4th stop).
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| What we did: From the main building, take the Railway > Railway Bottom Station > Walkway to Cableway bottom station > Cableway up to main building > Skyway to East Station > Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Katoomba Falls and Echo Point. |
EATS270
Open 10:30am – 3:00pm daily.
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| Signature angus beef burger and chips. EATS270 is perched on the escarpment with expansive views of the iconic Jamison Valley, with outdoor and indoor seating. |
Scenic World
Website: https://www.scenicworld.com.au
FB Page: facebook.com/ScenicWorld
Add: Corner Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba NSW 2780 Australia
Email: info@scenicworld.com.au
Tel: 1300 SKYWAY or +61 2 4780 0200
Tickets:
Unlimited Discovery Pass (unlimited rides on the Railway, Skyway, Cableway and Walkway): AUD39 (adult) at ticket counter. Klook price: AUD37
Opening time: every day of the year from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Last ride at 4.50pm.
(Ample, free undercover parking is available on site)
Echo Point – The Three Sisters
Add: 23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia
The Visitor Information Centre at Echo Point is a good place to pick up maps and find out more about the area. Parking – Time limits and parking fees apply. Parking might be limited on the weekend.
Hours: 9am to 5pm daily. Closed on Christmas Day. Admission is free.
Map:
