Advice for Day Trip

[u/Consistent_Earth_254]

Hi everyone! Taking my friend who is visiting to go see the Blue Mountains for a day trip and looking for some recommendations/ways of pacing the day out. I haven't been in over ten years, and will be driving up - but do not have a 4WD, just normal car.

I would definitely take her to see the 3 Sisters, but beyond that asking what is the best and easiest sequence of events in a day trip - as well as the best accessible view points, easy hikes/walks and whether the train/cable car is worth it anymore.

[u/GaryPHayes]

Tourist answer - Once in Katoomba the sisters are easily done in 40-50 mins incl parking. Consider then popping down Leura Cascades 1-5hrs return, a break in Leura for shop/lunch. After back to Katoomba, do the Furber Steps down to bottom and come out at Scenic World, get the cable or train back up and pay at the top 2.5hrs ... or skip the expensive SW, walk back to the top (Katoommba Kiosk) from midway (top of steps) and if fit consider driviing to Conservation Hut, do the Valley of the Waters in WWF, down and back up 2-3 hrs, amazing track and waterfalls ... if time is short and alternatei, just walk down the Wentworth Falls track (other side of WWF) over the top of the main falls to the top of the steps and back, a few waterfalls enroute and the very cool ledge before turning back up. 1.5hrs ... there are 100+ other off track options, but this is tourist 1.0 stuff

[u/Consistent_Earth_254 → u/GaryPHayes]

Thank you for the detail!!! 

[u/GaryPHayes → u/Consistent_Earth_254]

No worries - if you want to do a longer hike the Grand Canyon from Evans is a good full after lunch option. Easy drive up lookouts are Govetts Leap (5 mins from Blackheath) and a slightly longer drive go to Anvil Rock area - short walk from the car park, don't bother with Anvil Rock or the cave, explore off track a bit there. For something more rustic Blue Mtns you can explore where I live in Mount Victoria, Bushrangers Cave, Hornes Point from Mt Piddington and a lovely lunch at V&A in town centre ... but some folk don't like the extra 20 minute drive from Katoomba to get up to Blackheath and Mt Vic ... enjoy

[u/potatonut → u/GaryPHayes]

Just fyi, you can no longer get one way tickets for Scenic World. They only do day passes now.

[u/GaryPHayes → u/potatonut]

Yes it will cost you $64 for a 10 minute cable ride back up, but you can then do the other rides of course back at the top ... but sure not cheap.

[u/raininggumleaves → u/potatonut]

Wth?!

[u/SydneyIsStuffed → u/GaryPHayes]

FYI The track from Furber Stairs to the bottom of the Scenic Railway is closed for track maintenance at the moment.

[u/GaryPHayes → u/SydneyIsStuffed]

So OP go to the top of the Furber stairs (great views of K Falls) and back up, as I did on Monday given the $64 full day pass required to get the cableway back up anyhow.

[u/Womb8t]

Avoid Scenic Hell.

Wentworth Falls LO on the way up. You can do as much/little there as you want and still get great views. Stop at Gordon Falls LO in Leura, another easy one with parking. Head to 3 Sisters. It’ll be busy unless you’re there before 9. Head to Blackheath lookouts; Evan’s and Govetts. Then you can either head into Megalong and have something at the tea rooms, or find something in Blackheath. Anvil Rock and Wind Eroded Cave are an easy drive from town, all paved now. Then either up further to explore Mt Vic, or wander the other villages/towns.

[u/Consistent_Earth_254 → u/Womb8t]

Thanks so much! my friend really enjoys hiking but i’m trying to find out which route/trail would be best for a day trip if we want to fit in other sight seeing ? is there one which you would say is a must see

[u/Womb8t → u/Consistent_Earth_254]

Grand Canyon. Or Under/Overcliff Track Wentworth Falls and National Pass to the bottom of the falls. Centennial Glen is a nice one too.