The Blue Mountains is one of those places that reminds you how peaceful and powerful untouched nature can feel. With hiking, sightseeing and campgrounds galore, the Blue Mountains is a place to take in serene eucalyptus forests. Whether you’re on a time crunch or are just looking for a weekend trip, this guide to the Blue Mountains offers free campgrounds, sightseeing and hikes.
Aside from breathtaking views, the beauty of the Blue Mountains can’t be put into words. Even photos hardly do it justice.
As with other tourist hot spots, the Blue Mountains has a variety of food, hotel and tour options. There’s up-scale restaurants, hotels and Airbnbs throughout the area.
What’s different about the Blue Mountains compared with other touristy spots, is its natural landscape. It gives off a cozy forest feel that can only be absorbed through hiking, walks or general sightseeing.
Here’s a guide on how to take in the best of the Blue Mountains either on a weekend or short trip.
Table of Contents
Free Campgrounds
It’s essential to know where you’re going to stay before heading towards the Blue Mountains. Free campgrounds are always my go-to for heading to National Parks or other nature reserves. It’s a good way to feel fully immersed in the Blue Mountains nature, and save some money.
There’s a few free campgrounds in the Blue Mountains but many get busy early. It’s better to head to the campground early than not have any accommodation at all. These are a few spots for a weekend visit to the Blue Mountains.
Murphys Glen Campground
4×4 Access only/ BYO Water/ tents allowed.
Murphy Glen’s campground is the first campground in the Blue Mountains off the A32 Great Western Highway, from Sydney. It’s a small, remote campground with five campsites, that aren’t marked. Similar to other campsites, more than the recommended campers will squeeze in.
2WD vehicle can access the campground, but it’s not recommended after rain. It’s usually the way coming back towards the highway where vehicles could get stuck. The vehicle is rough and has lots of potholes. Many campers stop outside of the gate to camp, this isn’t legal, but NSW Parks rangers aren’t checking this everyday.
Perrys Lookdown Campground
BYO water
The views from Perrys Lookdown is arguably one of the most stunning locations to camp for free—and legally. Although NSW National Park’s website says the campground is for tents, while there, people camped in camper vans and small caravans in sites.
There is a separate tenting area next to a parking lot. A small walk from the campground leads to amazing views into the Blue Mountains. There’s even a longer hike down to the Blue Gum Forest.
These are just a few free campground options in the Blue Mountains, check out my full list for more options.
The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.
Sightseeing
The Blue Mountains is known for a blend of rocky terrain and cliffs, with fragrant eucalyptus forests. Sightseeing throughout the Blue Mountains offers jarring views to landscapes like this.
No matter which, or how much sightseeing you do, the views of the Blue Mountains don’t get boring. All of these sightseeing spots are free to access.
The Three Sisters
Going to the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters is a world-wide known pairing. The Three Sisters is an abnormal rock formation. The named is based off an Aboriginal legend about three sisters that turned to stone.
There’s not much walking involved towards the main viewpoint at the Three Sisters. There’s wheel-chair access, toilets and even a tourist information centre right at the lookout as well.
This makes the Three Sisters one of the most accessible sightseeing points. There’s plenty more viewpoints and trails around, including Spooners Lookout and Echo Point Lookout. It’s in the town of Katoomba, which has decided to make a killing on parking at A$4 an hour from 9am to 5pm. Arrive early or late to avoid the parking fees.
Wentworth Falls
Next on this weekend guide to the Blue Mountains is Wentworth Falls. With views of Jamison Valley and the waterfall, all inside of the Blue Mountains National Park.
There’s plenty of lookouts at Wentworth falls, but for people that are up for a walk there’s more viewpoints towards the top of the waterfall, around and to the bottom of the falls.
Depending on the season, Wentworth Falls can get busy, which is another reason to take advantage of different walks, off-season or weekdays.
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout has scenic views of a nearby waterfalls and is the starting point for five bush walks. The bush walks include: Fairfax Heritage walking track, Govetts Leap Descent, Pulpit walking track, Rodriguez Pass walking track and Cliff Top walking track.
If you’re not up for a walk or accessibility is a problem, stay put to enjoy the views from the lookout. Even in rainy weather conditions the view is stunning and the air is clean and clear.
Hikes
A weekend guide to the Blue Mountains isn’t complete without hiking options. If you’re up for an adventure hiking is a great way to see more of the Blue Mountains in a weekend.
Aside from other activities such as rock climbing and mountain biking, hiking rarely requires extra equipment. The most that’s needed is waterproof hiking boots or a rain jacket, but sneakers will be fine most of the time.
For guide of more hikes, check out Londoner is Sydney’s post of 30 best hikes in the Blue Mountains. Otherwise here’s a few day hikes that are good for a weekend trip in the Blue mountains.
Bottom of Wentworth Falls
Allow 2 hours
Wentworth falls is a town in the Blue Mountains and an iconic waterfall—with stunning views. There’s a short walk to the top of the waterfall, which passes by a few lookouts. But, if you’re up for more of a walk—and more amazing views—keep heading along the trail, which leads to the bottom of the waterfall.
The hike down isn’t difficult, but coming back up the steep stairs can get tiring for anyone. But, it’s well worth it. There’s often less foot traffic than at the top of the waterfall. It’s also a chance to walk through the historic Grand Stairway built over hundred years ago.
For more information on the hike such as how what trail to follow, check out my full post about this hike.
Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest
Allow 3 hours
Perrys Lookdown (also a great camping spot!) is home to some beautiful views in Blue Mountains—usually with less people. This view looks out onto the Grose Valley, an almost untouched scenic forest with Blue Mountain’s unique cliffs. It’s easy to take a look at the views, or follow the trail down for a nice hike with the smells of eucalyptus.
It’s a steep descent, but it follows the cliff side down from the campground to the forest floor. It travels over 600m down, before meeting an intersection to the Blue Gum Forest on the right. The trail is clear, well marked and regularly used.
If you’re visiting Sydney, check out this post on how to spend a week in the city, like a local.
