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Catch the Train – it's Cheap, Easy & Scenic!

From Sydney the best way to get to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains is to catch the train from Sydney's Central Station for a relaxing and scenic journey. Arrive refreshed and ready for a great day exploring!

29 Stops

Blue Mountains Explorer Bus has 29 Hop On, Hop Off Stops covering the Upper Blue Mountains region in and around Katoomba and Leura within the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.

Lyrebird Pass

Lyrebird Pass is the most popular Pass! Five of the best attractions in one great value pass. Hop on, hop off all day at your own pace with the Explorer Bus and experience the thrill of Scenic World - feel small again!

Pass includes:

• Unlimited Explorer Pass
• An afternoon Scenic World Itinerary which includes:
• Scenic Skyway - Dance on air on the highest single span cable car in the world.
• Scenic Railway - The steepest incline passenger train in the world.
• Scenic Cableway - Float high above the valley on the largest and steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Scenic Walkway - Experience true tranquility among Jurassic rainforest on the longest elevated boardwalk in Australia.

Explorer Bus Pass valid for one calendar day and can be redeemed any time within 12 months from date of purchase. Can be extended free for up to 3 days when staying in the Blue Mountains.

Scenic World Pass is valid for single use and is subject to Scenic World terms and conditions and may change without notice.

Highlight

• Hop On Hop Off
Hop off wherever you like, for as long as you like. See more of the lookouts, waterfalls, and mountains attractions.
• Colour Guidebook
  Discover more of the Blue Mountains! Your free take-home guide book is filled with information to help you explore, including walking guides.
• Live Commentary
  With an informative and entertaining live commentary from your friendly local driver-guides, you'll hear tales of Bunyips and magic, aboriginal history and geological facts and more. No two tours are the same!
• Scenic World Pass
  For a view you can't get anywhere else, take a trip on scenic world's three thrilling rides. Marvel at the birds-eye views of the three sisters and Katoomba Falls on the Skyway and Cableway, then ride the world's steepest railway down into the rainforest in the floor of the Jamison Valley.

TIMETABLE

Validate your ticket upon arrival at the Booking Office (Top of the railway station steps in Katoomba).

Plan Your Day with Blue Mountains Explorer

BLUE MOUNTAINS IN ONE DAY

This highlights itinerary takes you to all the essential sights – including the iconic Three Sisters, Scenic World and the beautiful Leura Cascades – and also allows time for you to discover a few hidden treasures. To make the most of your day, we recommend getting to Katoomba early in time to catch one of the first buses at 9:15am, or 9:45am.

TIME: Best to have a full day

HIGHLIGHTS: Lookouts & Views, Waterfalls, Scenic Rides, Short Bushwalks

RECOMMEND STOPS:

• Katoomba Street
  Jump off the train and collect your Explorer Bus Pass from the ticket office right next to Katoomba station.Watch the Art Deco storefronts of Katoomba Street slide by as your driver steers you through town and shares a few essential sightseeing tips.
• Cliff Tops and Valleys Tour
  Hop back on and get your breath back as the bus takes you on a beautiful drive around past Eagle Hawk Lookout, and Narrow Neck Lookout
• Honeymoon Lookout
  Hop off the bus at Stop 6 and cross the road to Honeymoon Lookout
• Echo Point and the Three Sisters
  As you emerge from the trees and walk out toward the edge of ECHO POINT, the Blue Mountains most epic view opens before you.
• Scenic World (Afternoon visit, suggest 2 hours)
  For a view you can't get anywhere else, take a trip on Scenic World's three thrilling rides. Marvel at the birds-eye views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls on the Skyway and Cableway, then ride the world's steepest railway down into the rainforest in the floor of the Jamison Valley.
• Leura Cascades
  Give yourself an hour to enjoy this beautiful and popular spot
• Pool of Siloam and Lyrebird Dell
  Hop off at Stop 28 and discover one of the hidden treasures of the Blue Mountains.
• Everglades Gardens
  Stay on the bus and ride through Leura's neatly manicured lawns and hedges to EVERGLADES (show your Explorer Bus pass here for a big discount on entry. Entry fee at own expense).
• Leura Village
  Before you jump on the train back to Sydney, treat yourself to the very Blue Mountains ritual of a Devonshire Tea in one of Leura's great cafes. (Food and beverages at own expense)

THE EASY RIDER

You don't have to go on big bushwalks to have a fantastic experience in the Blue Mountains wilderness. Here's an itinerary for those days when you feel like taking it easy. Soak up some exceptional mountain views, soar high above waterfalls, enjoy a relaxed meal, and see some of the wonderful gardens and museums. Great sightseeing with minimum effort? Step this way!

TIME: 1 day

HIGHLIGHTS: Lookouts, Waterfalls, Museums, Gardens

RECOMMEND STOPS:

• Katoomba Street
  Climb aboard the Explorer Bus at the first stop near Katoomba Station, grabbing top-deck seats for the best views
• Cliffs and Valleys Tour
  Hop aboard and you will be taken on a tour through some of the most spectacular roadside scenery in the Blue Mountains.
• Echo Point and Three Sisters
  The Explorer Bus drops you right at the entrance to ECHO POINT, where a short level walk leads out to the cliff edge for the best view of the famous Three Sisters.
• Scenic World (Afternoon visit, suggest 2 hours)
  For a view you can't get anywhere else, take a trip on Scenic World's three thrilling rides. Marvel at the birds-eye views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls on the Skyway and Cableway, then ride the world's steepest railway down into the rainforest in the floor of the Jamison Valley.
• Leura Village
  Hop back on the Explorer Bus for a relaxing ride through to Leura village, and choose from one of the many great places to eat on and around LEURA MALL. (Food and beverages at own expense)
• Everglades Gardens
  Jump on the bus and ride to EVERGLADES, the finest of Leura's many superb gardens. (Show your Explorer Bus Pass for a big discount on the entry fee. Entry fee at own expense)
• Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
  From the Paragon it's a short walk through to this excellent art gallery and museum. Learn all there is to know about the natural and human history of the Blue Mountains at the WORLD HERITAGE EXHIBITION. (Entry fee at own expense)

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS WITH KIDS

The Explorer Bus is your key to a fantastic family day out. Children love the Double Decker Bus and the ride up top gives them the views to make them feel 'big' and see farther than ever before. You will be carried up and down all the hills, and get straight to the main sights before anyone can say "are we there yet?" With a bus every 30 minutes you can spend as much or as little time as you want at each stop, and whenever you're on board the drivers will keep you entertained with all sorts of stories about the Blue Mountains.

TIP: Well-fed kids are happy kids, so carry plenty of snacks and drinking water. There are times on this itinerary when you won't be near shops and cafes.

TIME: 1 day

HIGHLIGHTS: Scenic Rides, Discovering & Exploring Nature, Waterfalls

RECOMMEND STOPS:

• Katoomba Street
  Climb aboard the Explorer Bus at the first stop near Katoomba Station, grabbing top-deck seats for the best views
• Katoomba Cascades and Reid's Lookout
  Hop off at Katoomba Cascades (Stop 9) and do the 20-minute walk to the bottom of KATOOMBA CASCADES.
• Cliffs Tops Tour
  Take a rest and enjoy some of your bus driver's stories, and take you on a beautiful drive around to NARROW NECK LOOKOUT
• Echo Point and The Three Sisters
  It's time to meet the famous THREE SISTERS. Walk down to the edge at Echo Point and enjoy the most amazing panorama of sheer cliffs, rippling mountain ridges and endless forest.
• Scenic World (Afternoon visit, suggest 2 hours)
  The rides at Scenic World are suitable for all ages. Many families say this is the most exciting part of their day. For a view you can't get anywhere else, take a trip on Scenic World's three thrilling rides. Marvel at the birds-eye views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls on the Skyway and Cableway, then ride the world's steepest railway down into the rainforest in the floor of the Jamison Valley.
• Blue Mountains Chocolate Company
  Get charged up for an afternoon of exploring, and give the kids a real-life Willy Wonka experience, at KATOOMBA'S AWARD-WINNING CHOCOLATE FACTORY. (It's a 5 minute walk up the road from Echo Point. Food and beverages at own expense)
• Gordon Falls Lookout & The Pool of Siloam
  Hop off at Gordon Falls Park (Stop 29), a great place for a picnic and for kids to run around and play on the swings and slides.
• NSW Toy and Railway Museum
  Hop back on the Explorer Bus (or walk up the road, it's not too far) to the NSW TOY AND RAILWAY MUSEUM. Young kids are more likely to enjoy the huge coin-operated model railways out in the gardens. (Entry fee at own expense)
• Toy shops and milkshakes in Leura
  Ride the bus into the centre of LEURA VILLAGE and browse the many wonderful shops for unique gifts and fun souvenirs.
• Catch The Train, or Come Drive a Bus
  If you're heading back to Sydney you can get straight on the train at Leura. Or hop on the Explorer Bus for one last ride back to the Katoomba store, where you can climb into the driver's seat of the replica Big Red Bus – a unique photo reminder of your fantastic day in the Blue Mountains(Photo at own expense).

THE RAINY DAY SPECIAL

Mostly, days in the Blue Mountains are sparkling, bright sunshine, clear skies. But sometimes it does happen that the mist rolls in and the rain comes down.

Good News! The Mountains are AWESOME on a misty day – the grey-blue haze of the forests bursts into dazzling shades of green, the trees dress up in cloaks of grey mist, and walking along the clifftop path feels like striding through pillowy clouds. Best of all, when the heavens really open up, the waterfalls come to shouting, joyous life.

Here are some of the best places to enjoy the Blue Mountains on one of the wet and wonderful days.

TIP: In the mountains weather changes fast – a grey day can turn good (or a good day turn wet and cold) quicker than you can say "wish I'd brought my sunhat/warmest jacket/gumboots". Save your shivers by wearing layers, and pack a light rain jacket just in case.

TIME: One day

HIGHLIGHTS：Waterfalls, Photography, Forest Bushwalks, Scenic World Rides

RECOMMEND STOPS:

• Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
• Make the best of bad weather by visiting this excellent MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY.
• Reid's Lookout, Furber Steps and Scenic World (Afternoon visit, allow 2 hrs)
  The best place to be on a rainy day is beside a roaring waterfall. For a view you can't get anywhere else, take a trip on Scenic World's three thrilling rides. Marvel at the birds-eye views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls on the Skyway and Cableway, then ride the world's steepest railway down into the rainforest in the floor of the Jamison Valley.
• Blue Mountains Chocolate Company
  While your warm hands grip the steaming mug of hot chocolate, watch through the big glass window as the in-house chocolatier creates delicious chocolate treats. (Food and beverages at own expense)
• Echo Point and the Three Sisters
  Misty days can be magical here
• Leura Cascades
  This is one of the best places to savour the Blue Mountains on a rainy day
• Toy and Railway Museum
  If it's truly too wet to be out, check out this WONDERFUL COLLECTION of old tin soldiers, trains, dolls and teddies. Note that the working model railways are all outside in the garden. (Entry fee at own expense)
• Leura Village
  Ride the Explorer Bus into beautiful LEURA MALL to have a lovely afternoon tea before heading back to your sweet home. (Food and beverages at own expense)