The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most beautiful regions. Two hours west of Sydney, these mountains have stunning views, craggy clifftop lookouts, deep valleys and quaint townships.
Want to know what you can do with your kids in the Blue Mountains? This insider guide will show you what to do!
13 things to do in the Blue Mountains with kids
1. Echo Point and the Three Sisters
Echo Point Lookout is the vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters. For this reason, it attracts large crowds and coaches’ worth of tourists. You should visit this landmark at least once.
2. Megalong Creek Estate Vineyard
The family-owned and operated Megalong Creek Estate vineyard and cellar door in the Megalong Valley is popular with families because of its open spaces for children to run around. The owners’ kids are usually there too and enjoy the company of other youngsters.
3. Scenic World
Take a deep breath and steady your nerves as you prepare to embark on the world’s steepest incline railway, the Katoomba Scenic Railway, fly 270 metres in the air suspended over forest on the glass-floored Katoomba Scenic Skyway, or take in the views as you descend and let the tree line swallow you whole on the Cableway. You can take any combination of the three in, out and around the area, as you design your adventure or add extra thrills with the awe-inspiring Beyond Skyway experience. From September each year, Scenic World also hosts the fabulous Dinosaur Valley.
The Scenic Railway is the steepest passenger rail worldwide. This train ride will take you down into the cool valley below. Listen for lyre birds and peep into old mine shafts as you follow the winding boardwalk through the valley to the skyway cablecar. The cable car takes you straight back up to the car park. Expect a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the mountains as you rise to the top.
4. Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains National Park
You can enter the Blue Mountains National Park for free. Hundreds of bush trails cater for beginners through to experienced hikers. Smaller legs can conquer many of the walking tracks. Keep an eye out for any trails to or near lookouts. They tend to be shorter, well-maintained and well sign-posted. Govetts Leap has some great tracks with picnic tables and toilet facilities by the carpark.
Wentworth Falls is better for older walkers. This walk has the works – waterfalls, rainforest, rocky crags, misty views and a café at the end. Govetts Leap and Evans lookouts have spectacular views across the Grose Valley, where you can stop to soak up the fresh air and the sound of the black cockatoos.
Teenagers should try an overnight hike and camp, like the trails through Blue Gum Forest and the Six Foot Track starting at Explorer’s Tree.
5. Jenolan Caves
Explore Australia’s largest cave network and discover spectacular caves, underground rivers and astonishing crystal formation at Jenolan Caves. With eleven caves open to the public, there are plenty of options for all visitors, no matter your level of confidence, fitness or budget.
During school holidays kids can take the Stones & Bones tour, where by torch light and wearing caving helmets, kids will follow treasure maps to discover fossils, bones and crystals deep in the caves. Book early (via email) so you don’t miss out.
6. Everglades House and Gardens
Discover acres of lushness and tranquillity in the form of the meticulously landscaped gardens of the Everglades House and Gardens. Situated on one of the highest points of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains of New South Wales, this property is breathtaking to behold in colour and detail.
Henri van de Velde commissioned Danish horticulturalist and landscaper, Paul Sorenson to design and create the Everglades in the 1930s. The cooler climate of the Blue Mountains supported the European-style design and allowed imported flora to be integrated with native Australian flora.
Spend hours roaming the gardens, absorb the astonishingly beautiful views and soak up the tranquillity and peacefulness offered by perfectly maintained yet strikingly natural landscaping. Explore the grounds with the family and experience the serenity of art painting and photography, or relax in one of the tea rooms set in a bygone era.
7. Try canyoning in the Blue Mountains
Waterfalls, golden walls of rock and fairy glens of ferns: the canyons of the Blue Mountains are pure magic. They’re also more accessible than they sound: kids of any age can dip their toes in the famous Grand Canyon, while more capable kids can walk the entire loop. The beautiful, water-sculpted worlds of Empress and Serendipity Canyons can be explored on full-day tours with High and Wild Adventures, where teenagers (and parents!) can abseil down waterfalls and rock jump into crystal pools.
8. Ride the historic Zigzag Railway
Ride the heritage Zigzag Railway for a magical train trip over the Great Lithgow Zig Zag. The restored steam locomotive lets families experience the Blue Mountains almost exactly like visitors in the late 1800s
9. Visit the heritage town of Windsor
Explore the local area of historic Windsor, the third-oldest colonial settlement on mainland Australia. Perched on the edge of the Hawkesbury River, there is a plethora of sites and buildings to keep the most avid history buff happy. Follow the self-guided walk to potter along peering into St Matthews Anglican Church and the associated cemetery and the Windsor Courthouse. For more local history, including from the region’s First Nations people, stop at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum on Baker Street.
10. Blue Mountains Chocolate Company
Indulge in gelato, waffles and handmade chocolates at Blue Mountains Chocolate Company, just a minute’s walk from Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
11. Bygone Beautys Teapot Museum and Teahouse
Bygone Beautys is home of world’s largest private collection of teapots! Most days you can see the owner (Mr Teapot) serving customers and wearing a bow-tie. So don’t forget your camera! After you’ve explored the incredible tea sets, enjoy the famous silver-service Traditional High Tea – yum, scones and jam and cream!
12. Camp in a cave at Hatters Hideout
Hatters Hideout in NSW’s beautiful Blue Mountains is a camping cave. Accessed via a 300-metre walking track the cave comes complete with mod cons, including a gas barbecue, icebox, tables and chairs, swags and lanterns!
13. Farm stay with alpacas
Madison’s Mountain Retreat is an alpaca farmstay on the border of the Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks in Kurrajong Heights. Madison’s two, self-contained, air-conditioned ex-railway carriages can each sleep up to 5 people. There’s also a heated pool and spa and, of course, alpacas! (Madison’s is pet friendly too!) Enjoy the mountain air and wildlife on a private trail, and in the national parks next door.
Opening image: Evans Lookout across Grose Valley, Blue Mountains. © Destination NSW
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Angela Saurine
