Katoomba is a unique, charming, and historical rural town located in the heart of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking views, and gorgeous artisan shops that fill the streets.
About Katoomba
Located only 110 kilometres west of Sydney, Katoomba is the gateway to the unbelievable Blue Mountains. It is a relatively small rural town, with a population of around 7,000 people, however the number drastically rises during peak tourism season. Often described as a ‘hippy’ town, as the majority of its residents are considered to be alternative. Additionally, the region is home to a very culturally diverse range of people and contains a large Indigenous Australian population. The traditional landowners of the Blue Mountains are the Gundungarra and Darug people.
What to see when visiting the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is home to some of the most beautiful views in Australia and is famous for extensive mountain ranges, excellent hiking tracks and unique rock formations that are predicated to be millions of years old. It is a significant cultural site and has a fascinating history.
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Three sisters
The Three Sisters is an iconic rock formation with an intriguing history. Each standing more than 900 metres each, the sisters are the most famous attraction in the Blue Mountains. The colours of the rock change throughout the day depending on the light that they are subjected to, creating so many beautiful views. The Aboriginal Dreamtime story goes that three young women named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo were in danger, as they wanted to marry men who were not in their tribe, which was forbidden. In order to keep them safe, the witch doctor of the Katoomba tribe turned the three sisters into stone and remained that way forever.
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Jenolan caves
The Jenolan Caves are one of the most unique cave systems in the world. This highlight of the Blue Mountains is made up of over 300 stalactite limestone caves that form underground rivers, lakes and an out-of-this-world view. An interesting aspect of the caves is that the temperature is always a constant 15 degrees, regardless of what the weather is like outside!
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Scenic World
Scenic World is an attraction on its own. It is the best way to see the unbelievably sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and the magnificent rock formations it entails. Much like an amusement park, the scenic world has the largest cable car and the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere, which obviously makes for some great scenery.
Katoomba is a truly amazing place and you must not miss the iconic Blue Mountains Tours.
