12 incredible lookouts in the Blue Mountains

Last Updated on 5 June 2022

You can hardly throw a stone in the Blue Mountains without hitting a scenic lookout or a beautiful viewpoint. With hundreds of spots overlooking the Kedumba Valley, Mount Solitary, Jamison Valley, Grose Valley, Narrow Neck Plateau, Kings Tableland, Katoomba Falls, Three Sisters, and countless other landmarks, it’s often overwhelming to even decide where you want to stop to take photos. While it would be just about impossible to find a bad view, these are some of my absolute favourites, offering a wide variety of vantage points over one of the most stunning natural wonders in all of Australia. Visit one or visit all twelve— you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll definitely be back for more.

1 | Queen Victoria Lookout

Area: Wentworth Falls

Getting there: Drive to Conservation Hut (the start of the Valley of the Waters track) and park in the designated carpark or on a nearby residential street

Walking required: About 10 minutes down a steep trail

Best for: Secluded views over the Jamison Valley

Top tip: Walk the entire Valley of the Waters track for more beautiful views, including a number of impressive waterfalls. Read more about the walk in this post.

2 | Lady Darley Lookout

Area: Katoomba

Getting there: The quickest access is via Panorama Drive in Katoomba, where a small trail departs directly to the lookout

Walking required: About 10 minutes down a series of wooden stairs

Best for: Views of the Kedumba Valley

Top tip: Crawl out through the hole in the fence and take photos from the gnarled rock, it’s an awesome, unobstructed view of the mountains.

3 | Govetts Leap

Area: Blackheath

Getting there: Follow signs from Blackheath to the popular Govetts Leap, parking in the adjacent lot

Walking required: Less than 10m from your car

Best for: Sweeping views of the Grose Valley and a number of distant waterfalls

Top tips: The elevation and vantage point of this east-facing lookout make it an ideal location from which to watch the famously beautiful Blue Mountains sunrise.

4 | Echo Point

Area: Katoomba

Getting there: Drive to the Echo Point Visitor Centre in downtown Katoomba and try to find parking in the usually overflowing lot. Otherwise, pay for parking on one of the nearby roads.

Walking required: Depending on your parking spot, of course, walk just a few minutes to the viewpoint and down the ramp to the lower platform, as well.

Best for: Views of the Three Sisters, possibly the most iconic view in all of the Blue Mountains

Top tips: Avoid the parking mayhem by walking to this viewpoint from Scenic World or Leura Cascades along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Alternatively, try to get here early in the day to beat the crowds and get a free park at the Visitor Centre!

5 | Sublime Point Lookout

Area: Leura

Getting there: Navigate to Sublime Point Lookout and park in the carpark at the start of the short trail

Walking required: About 80m down a dirt path

Best for: Panoramic views of the Jamison Valley, Kings Tableland & Mount Solitary

Top tips: Take photos on the flat rock to the left of the trail just before you reach the lookout. It offers amazing views without all the people, and certainly adds something unique to your pictures!

6 | Cliff View Lookout

Area: Katoomba

Getting there: Park at the Katoomba Falls Picnic Area and follow signs along the concrete path to Cliff View Lookout

Walking required: About 10 minutes

Best for: Direct views onto Mount Solitary and the Narrow Neck Plateau

Top tips: Walk the 6.5km Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Katoomba to pass this viewpoint and dozens of other scenic spots. Read more about the walk in this post.

7 | Wentworth Falls

Area: Wentworth Falls

Getting there: Park at the Wentworth Falls picnic area and follow signs to the falls

Walking required: About 700m, if walking the most direct route

Best for: A number of beautiful waterfall views, including Weeping Rock, Queen’s Cascade, and (of course) Wentworth Falls

Top tips: Visit this viewpoint of the falls on the 5.5km return Charles Darwin Walk also departing from the Wentworth Falls picnic area

8 | Evans Lookout

Area: Blackheath

Getting there: Navigate to Evans Lookout and park in the nearby lot

Walking required: Only a few minutes from the car to the lower lookout

Best for: Alpenglow at sunset

Top tips: Tackle the circular Grand Canyon Track, one of the best bush walks in the whole region, that begins at Evans Lookout

9 | Lincolns Rock

Area: Wentworth Falls

Getting there: Just navigate straight to Lincolns Rock, there’s a little area to park right next to the lookout

Walking required: About 10m from your car

Best for: Dangling your feet over the beautiful Blue Mountains

Top tip: Check out the cave below the rock for more amazing photo opportunities! Just walk over to the far left of the lookout and follow the tiny path down and around to the cave.

10 | Bridal Veil Lookout

Area: Leura

Getting there: The quickest point of access to this lookout is via trail from the Leura Cascades picnic area

Walking required: About 15 minutes along a dirt path

Best for: Views of the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls

Top tips: Enjoy this lookout along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Katoomba to Leura. Read more about the hike in this post.

11 | Pulpit Rock

Area: Blackheath

Getting there: Park on Pulpit Rock Road and walk down to the lookouts

Walking required: As much or as little as you want along the many ladders and paths leading to other viewing platforms

Best for: Views of Grose Valley and the Blue Gum Forest

Top tips: Allow some time at Pulpit Rock to explore the extensive network of ladders and lookouts for views in every single direction

12 | Honeymoon Bridge

Area: Katoomba

Getting there: From Echo Point Visitor Centre

Walking required: About 5 minutes down a very steep series of stairs

Best for: Unique views of the Three Sisters

Top tips: Take photos of the bridge from above before you descend too far (or even from Echo Point before you walk out to the bridge itself), as it will lend your other photographs some context

*Practical information

Getting to the Blue Mountains

The easiest way to get to the Blue Mountains and make the most of your time is definitely by driving. Katoomba, one of the main towns in the region and home to many of the biggest tourist attractions, is only 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD, 2 hours from Wollongong, and 3.5 hours from Canberra. If you don’t have access to a car (and don’t feel comfortable hiring one), the other option is to catch a train from Sydney’s Central Station to Katoomba, which takes under 2 hours and costs only $8.50 each way.

Getting around the Blue Mountains

If you aren’t driving, there are several train stations around the Blue Mountains that will get you within a few kilometres of interesting walks and lookouts (such as Wentworth Falls Station). Alternatively, you can also splurge on a $50 hop-on/hop-off pass for the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, which will stop at more than 30 attractions, including Scenic World, Echo Point, Leura Cascades, several lookouts and hikes, and a number of restaurants (see the full list here).

Where to stay in the Blue Mountains

The absolute best way to enjoy the Blue Mountains, in my opinion, is to stay right in the middle of the bush at one of the many free campsites throughout the region. Many of these sites position you next to awesome hikes or scenic lookouts, and they are a great way to maximise your time outdoors. My favourite campsites are Perry’s Lookdown, Blackheath Glen Reserve, and Old Ford Reserve. If you’re not a huge fan of tents, there are also a number of more upscale option, including hotels and glamping. Read about accomodation in the Blue Mountains in this post: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EXPLORING SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS

Travel tips

• The Blue Mountains region tends to be considerably hotter than Sydney in the summer and considerably colder in the winter, so the best time to explore, both in terms of weather and crowds, is during spring or autumn.
• Don’t completely rule out a winter visit, though! It can be a great way to score inexpensive accomodation or a secluded campsite, and you’ll be amazed by the lack of crowds.
• At all costs, avoid visiting the Blue Mountains during NSW school holidays. The entire region, especially Katoomba, becomes a zoo and it really takes away from the outdoor experience.
• There are heaps of things to do in the Blue Mountains, so make time for a few hikes, explore sparkling caves, ride the world’s steepest railway, admire street art, or shop at weekend markets.
• Read more about the Blue Mountains in this post: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EXPLORING SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS

Can’t get enough of the Blue Mountains? Check out these posts!

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EXPLORING SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS

BEST OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS: PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS’ GRAND CANYON LOOP WALKING TRACK

CHASING WATERFALLS ON THE VALLEY OF THE WATERS TRACK

MULTI-DAY TREKKING IN SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIKING THE SIX FOOT TRACK