Katoomba

Katoomba is the largest and best-known town in the Blue Mountains, around 100 km (60 miles) west of Sydney and 1,017 m (3,337 ft) above sea level.

Understand
Katoomba developed as a popular mountain resort town in the early 20th century, with holidaymakers taking advantage of the train services along the current line from Sydney. The town reached an early heyday in the period between the world wars, attested to today by the numerous examples of art deco architecture and shop fronts along the main street of the town.

Today it serves as the main base for travellers to the Blue Mountains, and the main gateway to the two most popular tourist spots at Echo Point and Scenic World. It has the most shops with all the supplies you need, tourist offices, motels, transport restaurants and even some nightlife. However, it has lost the quaint village charm to Leura, its immediately adjacent neighbour to the east.

By car
Katoomba is located just off the Great Western Highway, and is a well signposted destination. Parking is available in town, with timed parking on the street. Parking fees are charged at Echo Point and availability is limited, so if you are also visiting Scenic World, consider parking there in its large car park, and walking to Echo Point from the Scenic Skyway terminus.

By train


A PDF copy of the timetable can be found on TfNSW's website.

By coach
Australia Wide Coaches operate a daily express service from Katoomba to the Sydney City and on to Sydney airport every morning, and return in the afternoon.

By bus
CDC NSW operates 38 buses per week between Springwood and Katoomba.

Get around
From the train station the 686 bus goes every 30 minutes during the day from Katoomba Station to Scenic World and Echo Point. You can use your Opal card on the service, and if you're coming off the train you'll get the $2 transfer credit changing modes.

Alternatively, you can take one of two Hop-on-hop-off services.

Blue Mountains Trolley Tours charge $30 for a day's hop-on/hop-off (around 9AM to 5PM) but ask nicely at their sales office near the train station and you may get stamps for extra days for free. Their ticket office is across the street from Katoomba railway station. The regular bus departs each hour and goes to Leura, along the canyon edge to Three Sisters, Echo Point, Scenic World and back also stopping at some resorts, golf courses and museums. The starting point for Trolley's buses is outside Carrington Hotel, around the corner from the ticket office. The Trolley Tours HOHO ticket also allows you to take the 686 bus (which they call the 'express trolley'). The service isn't actually a "trolley".

Do

 * Bushwalking in the valleys, including longer walks to the Ruined Castle (an eroded mountain) and Mt Solitary. Watch out for large, noisy lyrebirds scratching up food on the ground. If you're not prepared for bushwalking in the mountains, stick to walks along the cliff base, or connect with a guide. Good shoes, a bottle of water and some sun protection are highly recommended.
 * Bushwalking in the valleys, including longer walks to the Ruined Castle (an eroded mountain) and Mt Solitary. Watch out for large, noisy lyrebirds scratching up food on the ground. If you're not prepared for bushwalking in the mountains, stick to walks along the cliff base, or connect with a guide. Good shoes, a bottle of water and some sun protection are highly recommended.

Drink


Traditional pubs, less heavy on live entertainment than the Clarendon, cluster around Katoomba railway station. The nightlife is this area is not fantastic - by 9PM on a Friday night the streets are almost empty - but those looking for a drink should try:
 * The Carrington Piano Bar, also known as the Saloon Bar. The most upmarket of the pubs, it contains rather less drunken young people than the others on the average Friday or Saturday night. Sometimes has live piano music. It also has an excellent restaurant upstairs.
 * The Carrington Main Bar is the 'default', stock-standard Katoomba pub, generally known as the 'Carrington' or just the 'Carro'. It's opposite the train station and taxi stand. Poker machines, beer, pies, more beer. It has a nightclub upstairs (with a separate entrance fee) called 'Baroque', which features live music on many nights.

All live music venues in Katoomba publish advertisements listing their upcoming attractions in the entertainment section of the Blue Mountains Gazette, which is published on Wednesdays and can be bought at newsagencies.

Go next

 * Jenolan Caves – further west, with guided bus tours from Katoomba
 * Leura – neighbouring town to the east that merges with Katoomba
 * Medlow Bath – five minutes by car or train to the west/north