New in town? Start here.
G'day, I'm Dave. I'm a local. If you want a local's take on what to do in town, I'm your guy.
I own a cafe here, so if you feel like sitting down, relaxing and having a yarn, I'm here. Otherwise, this is my pick of the easy way to spend a day and get the most out of your time in the mountains with the least complication.
Nobody has paid to be on this page.
What's it like outside?
On a cloudy day, go where there's a waterfall, not a big view.
Dave's rule
Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls
Walk under the railway line to the bus shelter and take the 686 bus down to Echo Point for the Three Sisters. From there, take another bus around to Katoomba Falls. Then walk around the escarpment and come back up to town.
Katoomba Falls has some steps. If your knees aren't great, give that bit a miss. For everyone else it's perfect.
- Time
- About 2 hours
- Effort
- Easy for most people
- Getting there
- 686 loop bus
Katoomba Falls and the little walks around it
Stay away from Echo Point when it's foggy, because you can't see anything. Go to Katoomba Falls and do the little walks around there. Waterfalls are better in the wet.
Wentworth Falls is also good in the rain.
- Where
- Katoomba Falls
- Effort
- Some steps
- Best when
- It's raining or misty
Minnehaha Falls
If you want a bigger walk with something at the end, walk out to Minnehaha Falls. It takes longer and it's not as easy by public transport, but you can swim when you get there.
No swimmers? Call into one of the local op shops on the Blue Mountains Sustainability Shopping Trail on your way and grab a cheap pair.
- Time
- Longer than the Echo Point loop
- Effort
- A proper walk
- Bring
- Swimmers and a towel
Swim, spa and sauna at the Aquatic Centre
If you've been out in the cold or the mist, finish up at the Katoomba Aquatic Centre for a swim, a spa and a sauna. It feels great. Then you're ready to get back on the train to Sydney.
- Where
- Katoomba Aquatic Centre
- Effort
- None at all
- Best when
- You're cold and done
Not dressed for mountain weather?
It gets wet, misty and cold up here, even when Sydney is warm. There are two good ways to sort that out.
The op shops on the Blue Mountains Sustainability Shopping Trail are a great cheap way to get the proper gear for this weather.
If you want better quality, and a souvenir of your time here, Summit Gear, the mountain climbing shop, is great for that.
Before you head out, check what's open. Tracks close after rain and for repairs: NSW National Parks alerts. For bus times: Transport NSW trip planner.
Start with a coffee
You were probably coming in for one anyway. We're On The Soul Side Cafe, in the Gearin Hotel, right by Katoomba station. Coffee from 8:30am, live local music most days, closed Saturdays. Come in and ask me anything that isn't on this page.
By the way, our own loose leaf tea is on the way
Ask me about it at the counter.