Katoomba travel guide

Considered the capital of the Blue Mountains, the erstwhile mining town of Katoomba offers an interesting mix of old and new and a truly cosmopolitan ambience. As well as the wealth of amenities and activities based in the town, many come here simply to see the classic picture-postcard view of the Blue Mountains from the famous Three Sisters lookout. The steady stream of tourist traffic flows down Katoomba’s main drag towards Echo Point to enjoy this view. It is little wonder the place is so popular. Built precariously 170 m above the valley floor, the lookout seems to defy gravity. Dawn and sunset are the best times to visit.

From the lookout it is possible to walk around to the stacks and descend the taxing Giant Stairway Walk (30 minutes) to the valley floor. From there you join the Federal Pass Track, back through the forest below the cliffs to the Katoomba Cascades and Orphan Rock (a lone pillar that became separated from the nearby cliff over many centuries of erosion). From Orphan Rock it is a short walk to a choice of exits: the hard option, on foot, up the 1000-step Furbers Steps, or for the less adventurous, the Scenic Railway. Give yourself three hours.

Katoomba presents many other excellent walking options, including the Narrow Neck Plateau (variable times) and the Ruined Castle (12 km, 7 hours). The latter starts from the base of the Scenic Railway and can be made as part of an extended overnight trip to the summit of Mount Solitary. It’s recommended, but go prepared. The Grand Canyon walk (5 km, 4 hours) from Neates Glen, Evans Lookout Road, Blackheath, is also a cracker.

West of Echo Point the junction of Cliff Drive and Violet Street will deliver you to the highly commercial Scenic World (T4782 0200, http://www.scenicworld.com.au, 0900-1700, Railway Skyway and Cableway $28, Skyway $16), with its unusual scenic transportations. The Scenic Railway option takes you on an exhilarating descent to the valley floor; on what is reputed to be the world’s steepest ‘inclined funicular railway’. At the bottom you can then take a boardwalk through the forest to see an old coal mine with an audiovisual display and bronze sculpture. In contrast, the Scenic Skyway provides a more sedate bird’s-eye view of the valley floor and the surrounding cliffs. The last, and most recent, of the trio, is the Scenic Cableway that takes you on a 545-m ride into – or out of – the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Jamison Valley. Once at the bottom, you can take the Scenic Walkway to the base of the Scenic Railway. In all, there are just under 3 km of elevated boardwalk, 380 m of which is accessible by wheelchair. If you survive that there is also a cinema showing a Blue Mountains documentary on demand and a revolving restaurant.

Maxvision Edge Cinema (225 Great Western Highway, T4782 8900, www.edge cinema.com.au, from 1020, from $14.50), with its six-storey, 18-m high, 24-m wide screen, is worth visiting for its precipitous film of the Blue Mountains, The Edge....read more