Explore
Lookouts, walking tracks, gardens, history and things to do across the Blue Mountains and beyond.
Opening hours, prices and bookings change, so please check with each venue before you go.
Use Location to choose a town or village; categories describe activities and interests rather than locations.
Distances outside central Blackheath are broad, indicative ranges from Blackheath town centre, not live route calculations. Select “Map & reviews” for directions and an exact route.
Parks & nature
Anvil Rock Lookout
Grose Valley lookout
Approx. 8–12 km from Blackheath town centre
Anvil Rock offers sweeping views towards Mount Banks and the Grose Valley, with a short walk from the parking area. Access is via unsealed roads; check road and park conditions before setting out.
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Blue Mountains Heritage Centre
Your gateway to the World Heritage park
Approx. 2–5 km from Blackheath town centre
The Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), serves as the official, fully accessible hub for exploring the Blue Mountains National Park. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed Christmas Day), it is the essential first stop for any visitor, providing expert advice, maps, and details on walking tracks and park conditions. It features interpretive displays on Aboriginal heritage, local history, and wildlife, as well as the permanent ‘Outside In’ exhibition. Crucially, the Centre is the starting point for the easy Fairfax Heritage walking track leading directly to the stunning Govetts Leap Lookout.
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Campbell Rhododendron Gardens
Gardens, ponds & picnic areas
This unique 18.3-hectare garden showcases exotic rhododendrons, azaleas, and maples planted thoughtfully amongst the native Australian eucalypts and bushland. It’s a peaceful place to wander, with easy walking tracks, ponds, and picnic areas.
Cliff Top Walking Track
Grose Valley clifftop walk
Starts approx. 3–6 km from Blackheath town centre
A scenic walking track connecting Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout, with sweeping views over the Grose Valley, heathlands and waterfalls. The 6 km return walk takes around 3–3½ hours and includes steps and steep sections; check current track alerts.
Colliers Causeway
Cliffside walking route
A memorable cliff-hugging section of the Porters Pass and Centennial Glen walking area, with sandstone overhangs and rugged scenery. This is a more demanding bushwalk, not a casual lookout stroll; check track conditions and choose a route suited to your experience.
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Evans Lookout
Lookout & walking-track base
Approx. 4–7 km from Blackheath town centre
Evans Lookout offers a breathtaking, easily accessible, and grand introduction to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, with dramatic views of the vast Grose Valley and its sheer sandstone cliffs. A particularly spectacular destination at sunrise and sunset, the lookout serves as a key base for bushwalkers. Its main trails include the historic Grand Canyon Track, a world-class rainforest adventure, and the Cliff Top Walking Track, a stunning escarpment walk to Govetts Leap.
Glow Worm Tunnel
Glow-worm colony in an old railway tunnel
An atmospheric walk through a disused railway tunnel where glow worms illuminate the darkness. Bring a torch for the walking track, switch it off near the glow worms, and allow time for the unsealed approach road and walk.
Access notice: Check NSW National Parks alerts and road conditions before setting out. The approach is long and unsealed; 4WD is highly recommended and required in wet weather.
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Govetts Leap Lookout
Lookout over the Grose Valley
Approx. 3–6 km from Blackheath town centre
Govetts Leap Lookout is one of the most famous and spectacular vantage points in the Blue Mountains, offering breathtaking, panoramic views across the deep, vast Grose Valley and the surrounding sandstone wilderness.
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Grand Canyon Walking Track
Walking track: 6.3 km circuit
Approx. 4–8 km from Blackheath town centre
Often described as one of Australia’s best day hikes, the Grand Canyon Track is a world-class, historic circuit that descends deep into a breathtaking, fern-filled gorge.
This is a spectacular 6.3 km circuit that takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete and is classified as a challenging (Grade 3) hike.
Hanging Rock (Baltzer Lookout)
Wilderness lookout & ridge walk
Follow the Burramoko Ridge trail through bushland towards the dramatic, unfenced Baltzer Lookout overlooking the Grose Wilderness. Suitable for a longer walk or mountain-bike outing; keep well away from exposed cliff edges and check conditions before visiting.
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Memorial Park
Park, playgrounds & pool
Blackheath Memorial Park is a premier family-friendly destination in the Upper Blue Mountains, blending recreational fun with natural beauty. It’s a great picnic spot with kids play-areas galore! The recently restored Red Rocket climbing frame and slide is a favourite, complemented by a new water play area and multiple heritage playgrounds. Visitors can also feed the ducks at the pond, or visit Blackheath Pool for a refreshing swim in the summer months.
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Porters Pass
Slot canyons and hidden waterfalls
Approx. 2–5 km from Blackheath town centre
The Porters Pass Circuit (incorporating Colliers Causeway and Centennial Glen) is a fantastic, but often overlooked, 5.2 km loop walk in the Blue Mountains, offering an incredible variety of scenery packed into a short distance. Taking approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete, the trail is classified as Moderate due to its rough terrain, numerous stairs, and steep sections. Hikers are richly rewarded by exploring spectacular rainforest gullies, walking along cliff edges, and discovering the hike’s hidden gem: the “incredible Grotto” at Centennial Glen, which features a slot canyon waterfall and plunge pool.
Pulpit Rock Lookout
Panoramic Grose Valley lookout
Approx. 5–9 km from Blackheath town centre
A dramatic multi-level lookout with spectacular views across the Grose Valley. Reopened in 2026 after restoration works; the lookout is approximately 400 m on foot from the carpark, reached via partly unsealed roads. Check park alerts before visiting.
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The Three Sisters
Echo Point Lookout
Approx. 11–16 km from Blackheath town centre
The Three Sisters is arguably the most famous and photographed landmark in the Blue Mountains, located at the prime vantage point of Echo Point in Katoomba, New South Wales. This iconic formation consists of three weathered sandstone peaks—named Meehni (922m), Wimlah (918m), and Gunnedoo (906m)—which stand guard over the immense Jamison Valley.
Cultural significance & legendTraditional Owners: The site is a declared Aboriginal Place, lying in the territory of the Gundungurra and Darug Traditional Owners.
Dreamtime Story: The widely shared Aboriginal legend explains that the three sisters were once beautiful women from the Katoomba tribe who fell in love with three brothers from a forbidden tribe. To protect the sisters during the ensuing tribal battle, an elder turned them to stone. However, the elder was killed before he could reverse the spell, leaving the sisters forever in their magnificent rock form overlooking the valley.
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Wildwood Garden
Cool-climate garden at Bilpin
Approx. 39–54 km from Blackheath town centre
A 10-hectare cool-climate garden near Bilpin, part wild woodland with tall trees, a waterfall and a lake, and part formal garden. Look for blossom trees, more than 600 varieties of camellias, roses, wisteria and bulbs, and vibrant maples in autumn.
There’s a cafe, a boutique nursery and a gift shop, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy by the lake. The garden is only open for set seasons (late winter to spring, and autumn), so check opening times before you go.
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Gardens & botanical collections
Discover mountain gardens and cool-climate plants. Check access and seasonal opening before travelling.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Cool-climate botanic garden
A spectacular botanic garden with cool-climate collections, seasonal colour, rainforest walks and expansive mountain views. Entry is generally free; check the official site for current hours and any weather-related changes.
Access notice: Confirm the current route and road conditions before travelling.
Mount Wilson gardens
Historic private gardens and autumn colour
Explore the heritage gardens and tree-lined avenues of Mount Wilson, including Breenhold, Windyridge and Bebeah. Many gardens are privately owned and open seasonally or by arrangement.
Important visitor alert: road accessMount Wilson Road is currently closed to general visitors due to road instability. Access is restricted, with repairs previously expected through July 2027. Check official local access updates and garden opening information before travelling.
First Nations culture
Discover living Aboriginal culture through guided experiences. Please check directly with the organisers for current tours, workshop dates and bookings.
Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout
Aboriginal-owned and guided cultural bushwalk
Approx. 35–45 km from Blackheath town centre
A Darug-led walk exploring living culture and connection to Country. Contact the operator to confirm current tours, availability and meeting arrangements.
Aboriginal cultural workshops — NSW National Parks
Art and bush knowledge with Aboriginal guides
Approx. 10–15 km from Blackheath town centre
NSW National Parks offers Aboriginal art workshops and sustainable toolkit experiences by arrangement, sharing knowledge of Country, plants, tools and cultural practices. Advance booking is essential.
History & heritage
Hartley and Lithgow lie just west of the Blue Mountains, beyond Mount Victoria.
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Blast Furnace Park
Heritage park & industrial ruins
Approx. 31–41 km from Blackheath town centre
The remains of the Lithgow Blast Furnace, built in 1906–07, mark the birthplace of the Australian iron and steel industry. It served the Lithgow steel industry until 1928, and made possible the steelworks later built at Newcastle and Port Kembla.
Today it’s a free heritage park, where a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk and interpretive signs guide you through the ruins. There are picnic spots nearby at Lake Pillans Wetlands.
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Hartley Historic Village
Historic village on the western edge of the mountains
Approx. 14–24 km from Blackheath town centre
A remarkably intact 19th-century village, once an important stopping point for coaches heading west to Bathurst, and now run by NSW National Parks. Explore it on a self-guided visit: the 1837 Greek Revival Courthouse, with its audio and hologram re-enactments of the court process and its cells that held bushrangers and cattle thieves, and the gothic St Bernard’s Church.
The Hartley Visitor Centre is at Farmers Inn, and there are easy walks starting from the village. It’s a good stop between the Blue Mountains and the Central West, and on the way to Jenolan Caves.
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Mount Victoria Museum
Local history museum in the old railway station
Approx. 6–9 km from Blackheath town centre
A volunteer-run local history museum set across 16 rooms of the heritage-listed 1868 Mount Victoria Railway Station. Displays cover the crossing of the Blue Mountains and the work of explorers, road builders and convicts, early settlers’ tools, costumes and furniture, and the story of the village’s schools.
It has limited opening hours (traditionally Saturday afternoons), so check before you visit. Trains from Sydney stop at the station, and there’s level access from the platform and car park.
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Entertainment & activities
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Blackheath Golf and Community Club
18-hole golf course & bistro
Approx. 1.3 km from Portree Cottage
Blackheath Golf Club is an 18-hole, Par 69 parkland course nestled beside the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. As one of the highest golf courses in the country, it is renowned for its natural beauty, where you play among vibrant flora like rhododendrons, maples, and azaleas, with native fauna often spotted along the fairways.
The course features an undulating footprint and elevation changes that add a challenging element to the game, ensuring a rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels.
Bistro & Restaurant: An on-site restaurant caters to all occasions, from casual meals to weddings and corporate events.
Bar & Lounge: The clubhouse includes a bar and a comfortable lounge area, featuring a warm slow combustion fire.
Blackheath Pool
Outdoor swimming in the warmer months
A seasonal outdoor swimming pool, especially welcome after a summer bushwalk. Check current season dates and facilities before visiting.
Blue Mountain Bikes Australia
Mountain bike hire & guided e-bike tours
Explore mountain-bike trails with self-guided hire or guided electric mountain-bike tours, including routes around Blackheath and Katoomba. This is a mobile operator with no shopfront; confirm the meeting point when booking.
Blue Mountains Adventure Company
Guided canyoning, climbing & abseiling
Approx. 10–15 km from Blackheath town centre
Katoomba-based adventure guides offering canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling and bushwalking experiences, with options from introductory outings to more challenging adventures. Check availability and suitability before booking.
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Centennial Glen Stables
Horse riding
For a memorable outdoor adventure, head to Centennial Glen Stables, which offers horseback riding through the picturesque Kanimbla Valley, beneath the stunning Blue Mountains escarpments. The stables are known for their calm, well-trained horses and experienced guides, making it a safe and enjoyable experience for all skill levels.
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Jenolan Caves
Cave system
Approx. 64–84 km from Blackheath town centre
Important visitor alert: road closureThe Jenolan Caves precinct is currently closed to the public due to extensive damage from extreme weather events. Reopening is currently expected in early 2027. Please check their website for the latest re-opening plans before planning a visit.
Jenolan Caves is arguably Australia’s most spectacular and historically significant cave system, officially recognised as the oldest known and dated open cave system in the world (340 million years old). Located in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve—part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area—the site offers a labyrinth of chambers filled with breathtaking calcite formations, underground rivers, and a profound cultural history.
Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre
Indoor swimming and fitness facilities
Approx. 10–15 km from Blackheath town centre
An indoor aquatic and recreation facility, useful for swimming and exercise throughout the year. Check council for opening times and programs.
Lawson parkrun
Free weekly 5 km community walk or run
Approx. 25–35 km from Blackheath town centre
A free, timed Saturday morning 5 km event for walkers, joggers and runners. Register with parkrun and check the event page for the current start time.
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Logan Brae Orchards
Historic pies and seasonal views
Approx. 5–7 km from Blackheath town centre
The Logan Brae Orchard is a charming, century-old apple orchard renowned as a mandatory seasonal stop for any Blue Mountains visitor. This rustic, family-run establishment is only open during apple season, typically from March to July, and operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The visitor experience is centered on the Orchard Shop, where guests flock to buy the orchard’s famous products: hand-picked apples, its iconic homemade Apple Pies, and the highly-praised Hot Spiced Apple Juice. Its location on the Shipley Plateau offers a stunning backdrop, with a public lookout providing breathtaking views over the escarpment and valley.
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Mount Vic Flicks
Historic family-run cinema
Approx. 6–9 km from Blackheath town centre
This is not just a cinema—it’s a living piece of history. Built in 1934, Mount Vic Flicks is a cherished, family-run, single-screen picture theatre that captures the golden age of Australian country cinema.
The cinema screens an eclectic mix of films, from the best new Australian and international arthouse releases to classic films, 3D features, and live event broadcasts like the Met Opera and National Theatre Live.
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Scenic World
Railway, skyway & cableway
Approx. 11–16 km from Blackheath town centre
Scenic World is the Blue Mountains’ premier nature-based attraction, offering unique perspectives of the World Heritage-listed Jamison Valley. Visitors experience the thrill of the Scenic Railway (the world’s steepest passenger train), glide 270 metres above the rainforest canopy on the Scenic Skyway, and descend smoothly into the valley on the Scenic Cableway, all connected by the elevated Scenic Walkway through ancient rainforest.
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United Cinemas The Edge
Multi-screen cinema
Approx. 11–16 km from Blackheath town centre
A four-screen cinema in Katoomba showing the latest releases and family favourites, which makes it a handy plan for a wet or cold day.
The cinema was built in the 1990s to show a giant-screen documentary about the Blue Mountains, and its huge original auditorium is still in use.
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Evening & after-dark activities
Experiences to enjoy after sunset, beyond the pubs and bars. Check tour availability and weather before heading out.
Blue Mountains Stargazing
Guided astronomy under mountain skies
Approx. 20–30 km from Blackheath town centre
Join an astronomer-led night-sky experience with telescope viewing at Wentworth Falls Lookout. Book ahead and check the meeting instructions and weather arrangements.
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Katoomba Falls Night-Lit Walk
Free illuminated evening walk
Approx. 11–16 km from Blackheath town centre
A free, self-guided 1.5 km walk that’s lit after dark, passing Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and the Cascades, with the Three Sisters visible from some viewpoints. It’s an easy walk with some steps, suitable for all ages and dogs on a leash, and takes about an hour return.
The lights come on at dusk, with the floodlights going off at 10.30pm and the path lights at 11pm. Bring a torch to be safe. Park free at the Katoomba Falls Reserve car park near the kiosk.
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Zen & relaxation
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Aqua Ignis Bathhouse
Japanese-style bathhouse
A beautiful Japanese-style bathhouse offering a boutique wellness experience right here in Blackheath. Aqua Ignis is the perfect spot to unwind and detox after a big mountain walk.
Booking: It is essential to book your session in advance online as this is a popular spot with limited capacity.
Blue Mountains Iyengar Yoga Studio
Yoga classes for all experience levels
An established local yoga studio offering Iyengar yoga classes for beginners through to experienced students, with in-studio and online options. Check the current timetable and book directly with the studio.
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Blue Mountains Sauna
Finnish-style sauna
Approx. 15–20 km from Blackheath town centre
This facility brings European-style Finnish sauna culture to the Blue Mountains. It focuses on recovery, relaxation, and fostering a social environment where people can slow down. It’s the perfect spot for heat-cold therapy and overall well-being.
Note: While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot. They also offer special “Birthday Suit Sessions” in partnership with Get Naked Australia.
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Japanese Bath House
Japanese onsen (hot spring)
Approx. 31–41 km from Blackheath town centre
This is a genuine Japanese onsen (hot spring) experience, set in a tranquil rural valley overlooking Lake Lyell. It is the only authentic Japanese bathhouse in NSW, offering a deep immersion into Japanese spa culture.
The bathhouse features natural mineral spring water flowing from 300 meters below ground. Day visits typically grant a 3-hour entry to the public bath facilities. They also have a Tea Shack offering herbal teas and a simple Japanese menu.
Essential infoBookings are essential and recommended several weeks in advance.
Guests must be 15 years or older to enter.
Bring your own large bath towel or purchase one on arrival.
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Orchards & fruit picking
Bilpin’s orchards are a lovely seasonal outing. Check harvest dates, booking requirements and opening announcements before setting off.
4 Winds Farm, Bilpin
Seasonal orchard visits
Approx. 40–55 km from Blackheath town centre
A Bilpin orchard associated with seasonal pick-your-own fruit. Check the farm’s current updates before making the trip, as picking dates and availability vary.
Bilpin Fruit Bowl
Pick-your-own fruit & farm produce
Approx. 40–55 km from Blackheath town centre
A family-run Bilpin farm with seasonal fruit picking, farm produce, homemade pies and jams. Check what is ready to pick and whether bookings are needed before travelling.
Pine Crest Orchard
Seasonal pick-your-own orchard
Approx. 40–55 km from Blackheath town centre
Pick-your-own fruit in season, including apples and stone fruit. Harvest conditions can change considerably, so check the orchard website for the latest opening announcement before leaving Blackheath.
Heritage train experiences
Special train services can sell out or run only on selected dates; always check the current timetable.
The Picnic Train
Occasional heritage steam-train excursions
The Picnic Train runs special heritage rail excursions, including previously advertised Lithgow–Katoomba services. This linked Katoomba itinerary is historical; check the operator’s current calendar before planning a trip.
Valley Heights Rail Museum
Historic railway museum & roundhouse
Check route from Blackheath town centre
Explore a historic locomotive depot and working roundhouse, with restored railway exhibits, model trains and heritage steam-tram or train rides on selected open days. Check the official calendar and book ahead where required; rides depend on operating conditions.
Zig Zag Railway
Heritage railway experience
Approx. 25–35 km from Blackheath town centre
Ride a heritage train through the dramatic Zig Zag railway alignment near Lithgow. Book ahead and check the operating calendar for available services.
Festivals & seasonal events
Planning your visit around a local festival? Browse our festivals & seasonal events guide for gardens, music, celebrations and more.