The Blue Mountains National Park offers some of the most stunning views in New South Wales. But unlike other national parks, you don’t have to be a super fit hiker to enjoy them. You can easily access some of the best viewpoints without walking very far from your car. In the Blue Mountains, you can also combine those awesome views with some thrills. Make your way to Scenic World for the day.
After the natural rock formation known as the Three Sisters, Scenic World is the next biggest tourist attraction in the Blue Mountains. It consists of four great experiences, the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Skyway, the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Walkway.
When you spend the day at Scenic World, you combine an incredible nature experience with some super fun rides. It’s such a great way to spend the day and a fantastic activity for the whole family!
Where to find Scenic World?
Scenic Word is located less than two hours drive out of Sydney in the small town of Katoomba. Scenic World is three kilometres from the town centre and train station and a five-minute drive from the famous Three Sisters, the most famous tourist destination in the Blue Mountains. If you don’t have a car, the Blue Mountains Explorer and Trolley Buses both stop at the entrance to Scenic World. If you do have a car, there is a multi-storey car park on site which is free for visitors.
How much does Scenic World it cost?
The Ultimate Discovery Pass for Scenic World starts from $39 per adult and $21 per child. They use timed ticketing, which means prices vary depending on the time and day you arrive. The price includes unlimited access to each ride. You can take them as many times as you like during the day. It’s a good idea to purchase your ticket online to avoid long queues at the ticket office, leaving you more time for the rides! That’s especially true on weekends and during school holidays.
Get your tickets, here.
When’s the best time to visit?
If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive at opening time. Scenic World is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 365 days a year. We suggest avoiding school holidays or long weekends if possible as it can get quite crowded.
What’s to do at Scenic World?
The Scenic Skyway
The Scenic Skyway cable car is suspended 270 metres above the Jamison Valley floor. From the cable car, you’ll have 360° views across the valley, Katoomba falls, Orphan Rock and the Three-Sisters. The floor in the middle of the cable car is made from glass; so if you like a thrill, stand on it and check out the valley floor far beneath your feet.
It only takes a few minutes to glide across to the other side, while one of Scenic World’s friendly staff tells you all about your surroundings. Once there you’ll find several walking trails and viewpoints to check out. There is a viewpoint called “Cliff View Lookout” just below the station, or you can walk further to Katoomba Falls or Echo Point for a close up look at the famous Three Sisters. Take your time and enjoy it. It’s an incredibly beautiful area.
After your walk, head back to the Skyway station to take the return ride back to the Scenic World Centre for the next attraction, the Scenic Railway.
The Scenic Railway
The Scenic Railway is the steepest passenger railway in the world! The best part about it is the custom-designed carriages that let passengers choose their very own adventure! With a flick of a switch, you can adjust your seated position up to 20°.
If like us, you like a thrill, choose the ‘Cliffhanger’ ride at a steep 64° incline. It was so much fun! If you’re not feeling brave, choose the ‘Laid Back’ option, or for something in between choose the ‘Original’ 52°. The choice is yours. The railway was originally used as part of the mining trade in the late 1800’s. Thankfully it has undergone a few upgrades over the years! You can read about its history as you walk around the station and see an example of one of the original carriages as you wait to board yours.
The Scenic Railway descends 310 metres through a tunnel, before emerging into the ancient rainforest on the Jamison Valley floor. The train leaves every ten minutes, dropping you off at the start of the next attraction, the Scenic Walkway.
The Scenic Walkway
The Scenic Walkway is a pleasant walk along a 2.4-kilometre long boardwalk, the longest elevated boardwalk in Australia. The boardwalk takes you through a Jurassic rainforest with many different types of flora and several, hundred-year-old trees. Keep a look out for the native Lyrebirds. They like to pop out of the bushes every so often, but don’t expect to get a photo; they are shy and pretty fast!
Visitors can also learn about the site’s coal mining history and visit a replica miners’ hut hidden in the rainforest. You can spend as little as ten minutes on the walkway or walk the complete loop if you have more time. We recommend the latter because it is so peaceful and refreshing down there. It’s well worth spending at least an hour there exploring.
After completing the walkway you can either head back up on the Scenic Railway, to then head back down and up again with the Scenic Cableway (confusing hey!). Alternatively, you can ride back up one way only with the Scenic Cableway.
Tip: There are no toilet facilities down in the rainforest. Be sure to use the restrooms at the top before you head down.
The Scenic Cableway
The Scenic Cableway is the steepest and largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. It descends 545 metres into the Jamison Valley. From the Cableway’s floor-to-ceiling windows you’ll enjoy more spectacular views of the Jamison Valley, the Three Sisters, the rainforest down below and the cliff-face to the right.
Grab a bite!
With all that fun going on, don’t forget to refuel! Grab a bite to eat at the outdoor cafe and enjoy your food together with some amazing views of the Three Sisters! Another option is to bring a picnic lunch with you. There are plenty of picnic tables along the Scenic Walkway. Make sure you put your rubbish in the bins provided or take it home with you.
Don’t forget about souvenirs
Scenic World has one of the biggest souvenir shops in New South Wales. You’ll find anything you want there, such as stuffed koalas, fridge magnets, honey, T-shirts; you name it, they’ve got it!
Conclusion
We had a great day at Scenic World, trying out all the rides and feasting on the incredible scenery. It’s a great day out for all ages and for people of all fitness levels. The map you receive at the entrance is very easy to understand and there are plenty of signs along the way to make sure you don’t get lost! It’s easy to enjoy Scenic World without a guide so you can spend as little or as much time as you like at each of its attractions.
Check out our video!
We made a video of our day at Scenic World. Check it out!
For more information on Scenic World Blue Mountains, visit here.
Disclosure: We visited as guests of Scenic World. However, all views and opinions expressed in this article are our own.
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