Getting There
By car from central Sydney, take Parramatta Road and turn off onto the M4 motorway (around 2 hr. to Katoomba). Another route is via the Harbour Bridge to North Sydney, along the Warringah Freeway (following signs to the M2). Then take the M2 to the end and follow signs to the M4 and the Blue Mountains. This takes around 1 1/2 hours.
Frequent rail service connects Sydney to Katoomba from Central Station; contact CityRail (tel. 13 15 00) or Countrylink (tel. 13 22 32; www.countrylink.info) for details. The train trip takes 2 hours. Trains leave almost hourly from platform nos. 12 and 13, stopping at Katoomba, and then at Mount Victoria and Lithgow. An adult same-day round-trip ticket costs around A$15 off-peak and A$22 during commuter hours. A child's ticket is about A$5.
Getting Around
The best way to get around the Blue Mountains without a car is the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus (tel. 02/4782 1866; www.explorerbus.com.au). The double-decker bus leaves from outside the Katoomba train station regularly from 9:45am until 4:05pm and stops at 29 attractions, resorts, galleries, and tearooms in and around Katoomba and Leura. You can get on and off as often as you want. Tickets cost A$36 for adults, A$18 for children, and A$90 for a family; other passes include rides on the Scenic Railway and the Skyway.
Another option is Trolley Tours (tel. 1800/801 577 in Australia; www.trolleytours.com.au), which is a kind of tram on wheels with commentary. An all-day pass costs A$20 and includes stops at 29 various attractions around Katoomba and Leura, too. The trolley leaves from outside the Carrington Hotel on Katoomba Street once an hour from 9:45am until 4:45pm. The company also operate tours to Jenolan Caves.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
