Introduction to Katoomba

114km (71 miles) W of Sydney

Katoomba (pop. 11,200) is the largest town in the Blue Mountains and the focal point of the Blue Mountains National Park. It's an easy 1 1/2- to 2-hour trip from Sydney by train, bus, or car. However, it's also a low socioeconomic pocket in a very affluent region, with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.