World Heritage
On Sydney's doorstep discover Australia's most accessible wilderness. The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
It is one of Australia's natural wonders. Stretching for over one million hectares the Blue Mountains is an inspiring mix of rainforest, canyons, tall forests and heathlands, combining eight individual conservation reserves - Yengo, Wollemi, Gardens of Stone, Blue Mountains, Nattai, Kanangra Boyd, Thirlmere Lakes and Jenolan Caves Karst Reserve.
It is a nature lover's paradise with an abundance of colourful bird and animal life, the greatest concentration of eucalypt diversity on the continent, and landscapes ranging from rainforest to heathland.
The dramatic sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons are an adventurer's paradise. One of Australia's best network of trails provide numerous bushwalking and mountain biking opportunities. For the less intrepid a series of lookouts provide some of Australia's best views within easy access of car parking facilities.
Exploring is easy. Local tour guides are experts on the local fauna and flora, and offer a range of tours to the region's most spectacular natural locations. Adventure tour operators provide canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking, abseiling and bushwalking tours to those who want to push their limits.
Canyons and Waterfalls
For millions of years water has carved out the rugged sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains region, and continues to do so today.
There are waterfalls everywhere. If you like spectacular drops take a bushwalk around Wentworth Falls. From the bottom of the Scenic Railway, trails lead to the base of Katoomba Falls, in a beautiful rainforest gully surrounded by majestic trees. Views of Bridal Veil Falls (pictured)are spectacular on the walk from Govetts Leap to Evans Lookout. Kanangra Falls in the Kanangra Boyd National Park are arguably one of the most impressive waterfalls in Australia.
For more intimate cascades choose one of many trails around Lawson and Hazelbrook. The Valley of the Waters walk in Wentworth Falls follows the path of small stream as it tumbles down the valley. Leura Cascades is a great place for a picnic or short walk. Waterfalls can also be found around Mt Wilson on the Bells Line of Road.
Discover the Underground
The Blue Mountains region has one of the most extensive cave networks in Australia. At Jenolan Caves choose from a range of spectacular show caves, don a hard hat and try adventure caving, or enjoy a musical concert under the Grand Arch. Abercrombie Caves offers self guided cave tours and a guided Bushranger tour every weekend. For the more adventurous, remote Wombeyan Caves offers guided and self guided cave tours in a beautiful natural location with onsite accommodation and campsites.
The Greater Blue Mountains Drive - Your Journey into World Heritage
The recently launched Greater Blue Mountains Drive is destined to become NSW's iconic touring route. The drive is a network of touring routes linking the regions that share the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area as their own backyard - stretching from Capital Country through to Mudgee and the Hunter region.
This exciting new journey offers something for everyone - walking tracks, quiet country drives and picnics, relaxing holidays, bicycle rides, sightseeing & a myriad of other fantastic experiences & places that once only the locals knew about.
Whether it be one day or one week, shape your own journey, discover the experiences that lie beyond the carpark and take pleasure in any one of the 18 unique discovery trails leading from the core route that will take you into the heart of World Heritage Wilderness.
All you need to plan your journey can be found on the interactive website: www.GreaterBlueMountainsDrive.com.au. Alternatively, drop in to an accredited Visitor Information Centre and purchase the official Touring Map and Touring Guide.
- Bushwalking Guide
- Ready to get out there and explore? Download a copy of our Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Region Bushwalking guide. Or to order your copy of the Pocket Guide including bushwalking guides and maps go to our Brochure Request section.
- Guided Tours
- Want someone to help guide you through your Blue Mountains World Heritage experience? Try our lisitng of all guided tours in the Blue Mountains.
- Want more help planning your World Heritage Experience?
- For more suggestions on how to enjoy the Blue Mountains World Heritage experience drop into the Blue Mountains Visitor Centres or the National Parks and Wildlife Visitor Centres at Glenbrook and Blackheath. Check National Parks and Wildlife website for details or call 1300 653 408.
