The Blue Mountains are a popular destination for Sydneysiders who want to explore the beauty of nature. Only 50 miles west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in New South Wales.

With stunning mountain scenery, gorgeous waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, the park’s attractions appeal to a wide range of people.

The easiest way to explore the wonders of Australia’s wonderful landscape is on a group tour from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. These guided excursions from Sydney can show you the best panoramic views, popular landmarks, and wildlife reserves you might otherwise struggle to find.

I’ve investigated the top-rated day trips from Sydney visiting the Blue Mountains and selected the best. Read through the reviews of the best Blue Mountain trips below.

Be sure to see our reviews of Whale Watching Tours, Opera House Tours and Harbour Dinner Cruises.

Best Blue Mountains Day Tours From Sydney

	Blue Mountains, Scenic World, Zoo, & Ferry Tour	Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip From Sydney	Blue Mountain Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Sydney
Departure:	Hotel pick-up & drop off	Hotel pick-up & drop off	Hotel pick-up & drop off
Start:	6:45 AM	7:00 AM	12:00 AM
Duration:	10 hours	10 hours	1 day
Includes:	Scenic World rides (Skyway, Railway, Cableway, and walk in the rainforest), Entry to Sydney Zoo, Professional guide, Ferry to Circular Quay	Transport to the Blue Mountains, Admission to Featherdale Wildlife Park, Leura Village, 3 rides at Scenic World (Cableway, Skyway, and Railway), Echo Point, Ferry cruise to Circular Quay	Transport to the Blue Mountains, experienced tour guide, Olympic Park and Featherdale Wildlife Park entry, river cruise, and souvenir
	More Information & Booking	More Information & Booking	More Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Blue Mountains Day Trips For 2025

1. From Sydney: Blue Mountains, Scenic World, Zoo, & Ferry Tour
2. From Sydney: Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip
3. From Sydney: Blue Mountain Sightseeing Full-Day Trip
4. From Sydney: Blue Mountains, Scenic World All Inclusive Tour
5. Sydney: Blue Mountains Afternoon and Sunset Tour

Blue Mountains Day Trip Reviews

1. Blue Mountains, Scenic World, Zoo, & Ferry Tour

This is a great tour if you want to come within petting distance of amazing indigenous animals, like wallabies and kangaroos, in a safe and controlled environment.

After transportation from Sydney in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter, you’ll stop at Echo Point for a panoramic view of the Blue Mountains, the Jamison Valley, and the famous Three Sisters rock formation. From this vantage point, you should be able to see the blue haze that gave this mountain range its name.

In the vicinity of the Three Sisters is Scenic World, a popular Blue Mountains attraction. There you can get close-up views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Waterfalls, and Mount Solitary from the Scenic Skyway cable car ride.

You can also descend into the Jameson Valley on the Scenic Cableway cable car ride. And if you’re brave enough, you can ride on the Scenic Railway, which is the steepest railway in the world.

Back on the outskirts of Sydney, you’ll visit the amazing Featherdale Wildlife Park. Here you can see native Australian crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, wombats, emus, and other fascinating animals. You might even get a chance to feed the baby wallabies.

This tour concludes with a ferry ride along the Parramatta River, past the Sydney Opera House and under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, to Darling Harbor. It’s a great chance for you to take memorable photographs of your visit to Sydney.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip From Sydney 

If you want a guided tour of Sydney Harbor and love wildlife, this is a great tour for you. You’ll begin at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can feed kangaroos by hand and see fantastic animals up close, like koalas and wombats. But don’t get too close to the crocodiles!

A stop at Echo Point means you can enjoy stunning views over the Jamison Valley and the famous Three Sisters sandstone rock formation.

A visit to the popular Scenic World attraction lets you get closer to the Three Sisters and other fantastic natural rock formations and beautiful mountain landmarks, like Orphan Rock and Katoomba Falls. Enjoy two scenic cable car rides, a steep railway ride, and walk through the canopy of a temperate rainforest on the Scenic Walkway.

This Blue Mountains tour finishes with a cruise down the Parramatta River with expert commentary. Learn about Sydney Harbor, its history and the building of Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Take the opportunity to buy a cold beer and enjoy your cruise.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Blue Mountain Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Sydney

If you want to enjoy a Blue Mountains tour as part of a small group and learn about Aboriginal culture, this excursion from Sydney is perfect for you.

In Featherdale Wildlife Park, you’ll have the chance to get close to wombats, pet a kangaroo, and get close to a koala. You might even get the chance to feed some baby wombats.

Your guide will take you around some of the settlements around the Blue Mountains, including Leura and Katoomba, where you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture. A scenic drive along the cliffs will provide stunning views of King’s Tableland.

A driving tour will take you past many fantastic rock formations, like Megalong and Boar’s Head Rock, and the Three Sisters. The view into Jamison Valley from Echo Point will show you why the mountains are called the Blue Mountains.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Blue Mountains, Scenic World All Inclusive Tour From Sydney

This Blue Mountains tour from Sydney is a great way to experience Australia’s stunning scenery and fascinating wildlife. In a visit to Scenic World, you can enjoy the two Blue Mountains cable car rides, the steepest railway in the world, and the amazing canopy walkway tour.

This is a marvelous way to explore the subtropical rainforest of Jamison Valley. An experienced tour guide will explain the surrounding flora and the local ecosystem.

From Echo Point, you can admire panoramic views of the Blue Mountains, the Three Sisters, and the Jamison Valley. This is a great place to take photographs of the blue haze that covers the mountains. After that, your lunch will be served in a pub deep in the Blue Mountains.

On your way back to Sydney, enjoy meeting Australia’s most famous indigenous animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. You’ll have an opportunity to feed a kangaroo and have your photograph taken with a koala bear.

On your Parramatta River Cruise, you’ll see key landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Your tour will end at Circular Quay, leaving you with many happy memories of one of the best Sydney tours you could find.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Sydney: Blue Mountains Afternoon and Sunset Tour

If all you really want to do is enjoy a Blue Mountains day trip, this is the best tour for you. You’ll visit the Blue Mountains and surrounding subtropical rainforest helped by an experienced guide. Your experienced guide will lead you through the Blue Mountains National Park and teach you all about the local fauna and flora.

You’ll learn about the Blue Mountain’s creation story during the “Dreamtime” when two giant creatures called Garangatch and Mirigan fought together and scarred the landscape to create the Jamison Valley.

You’ll experience an unforgettable bush walk, with breathtaking views down into the Jamison Valley and the subtropical rainforest. From one of the lookouts, you’ll have fantastic views of Wentworth Falls.

Your scenic walk will provide you with great views of Narrow Neck Plateau, Mount Solitary, and the Ruined Castle. As the day comes to a close, you’ll be in a perfect position to take amazing photographs of a sunset over the Blue Mountains.

You’ll always remember the day you joined a wonderful Blue Mountains bus tour and enjoyed a bush walk through the subtropical rainforest.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

FAQs About Blue Mountains Day Trips

How far are the Blue Mountains from Sydney?

The Blue Mountains are between 31-62 miles west of Sydney depending on what attractions you stop at.With the main town of Katoomba about 65 miles away. The drive typically takes 1.5-2 hours by car. It is possible to take a train there but getting around can be difficult.

What’s the best way to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney?

You can reach the Blue Mountains by:

• Train: Regular services run from Central Station to various Blue Mountains towns
• Car: Via the M4 Motorway and Great Western Highway
• Organized tour: Many companies offer day trips with transportation included
• Bus: Some coach services operate between Sydney and the Blue Mountains

Do I need to book a tour or can I explore independently?

Either will work but we would recommend a guided tour with transportation. Self-guided trips are more difficult with public transport. Guided tours provide expert commentary and handle logistics. Independent travelers should plan their itinerary in advance to maximize time.

What are the must-see attractions in the Blue Mountains?

Popular attractions include:

• Three Sisters rock formation
• Scenic World (including railway, skyway, and cableway)
• Echo Point Lookout
• Wentworth Falls
• Leura village
• Jenolan Caves (though these require extra time)
• Hiking trails like the Grand Canyon Track or Prince Henry Cliff Walk

How much time should I allow for a day trip?

A full day (8-10 hours) is recommended. Depart Sydney early (around 7-8 AM) to maximize your time in the mountains.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

The Blue Mountains are beautiful year-round, but each season offers something different:

• Spring (September-November): Wildflowers and mild weather
• Summer (December-February): Warm days but can be crowded
• Autumn (March-May): Stunning foliage colors
• Winter (June-August): Occasional snow, fewer tourists, cozy atmosphere

Is a day trip enough time?

A day trip provides enough time to see the major highlights, but won’t allow for in-depth exploration of the region’s many hiking trails and attractions. Consider an overnight stay if you want a more relaxed pace.

What should I wear/bring?

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Layers of clothing (temperatures can be 5-10°C cooler than Sydney)
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen and hat
• Camera
• Rain jacket (weather can change quickly)
• Some cash for small shops that may not accept cards

Are there food options available?

Yes, towns like Katoomba and Leura have numerous cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. However, popular eateries can get busy during peak times, so consider bringing some snacks.

Is a the Blue Mountains day trip suitable for children?

Yes, it’s family-friendly with many attractions suitable for children, including Scenic World’s rides and easy walking paths.