Go Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains

You'll find some of Australia's finest bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. Scores of lookouts offer breathtaking views of spectacular waterfalls and World Heritage listed wilderness scenery.

Historic walking trails wend their way through bushland, down staircases cut into the cliffs and along ledges to the valley floors.

Bushwalking is the most popular outdoor activity in the Mountains. More adventurous spirits enjoy rock climbing, abseiling, canyoning and mountain bike riding.

Strictly speaking, Australia's Blue Mountains are not mountains, just all that remains of a vast sandstone plateau deeply dissected by creeks and rivers over millions of years.

Read a detailed explanation here.

In half a day you can explore one of the main waterfalls, but we recommend you try to stay overnight to enjoy several walks especially some of the longer spectacular trails.

Don't get lost

We're serious! Every year around 130 bushwalkers require rescuing in the Mountains. Most walkers are found within 24 hours, but occasionally a weekend adventure can turn to tragedy.

To help bushwalkers and adventurers, the NSW Police and National Parks and Wildlife Service have developed an initiative called TREK where walkers can carry a personal location beacon to activate if they get lost.

Download their Think Before You Trek brochure here.

We recommend planning your bushwalks carefully. Take a guidebook and carry a map. You'll enjoy a walk so much more if you know a little about the rock formations and the flora and fauna.

Bloogle has listed all the major websites that offer helpful advice or guided activities. You'll learn much more on a walk with a qualified local guide.

Bushwalking Websites

"National Pass" - DVD - 28 minutes
A documentary celebrating the heroic and award winning reconstruction of the Blue Mountains' iconic, historic and spectacular bushwalking track, the National Pass. This entertaining and sometimes breathtaking film follows track builder Colin Delap, National Parks ranger Ben Correy and historian JIM SMITH, as they take us along the track, pointing out the unique challenges of the original construction and re-construction. The film includes historic photos, reconstructed 'historic' footage and scenes of the National Pass that make you want to get out there and experience it for yourself. Buy online - AU$19.95 plus AU$5.00 shipping and handling.

Blue Mountains Adventure Company
Abseiling, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking, bushwalking,

Blue Mountains Books - Megalong Books - Leura - PDF file
This PDF file is a current exhaustive list of books about the Blue Mountains.

Blue Mountains Bushwalking Tracks - NPWS site
"You'll find many of the park's walking tracks described on this NPWS page. Before setting out, make sure you have topographic maps for the areas you plan to walk in. Be prepared for all weather conditions. And always tread softly."

Blue Mountains Conservation Society Bushwalking Group
A keen bushwalking group offering guided walks and a varied programme. Instructions for making a lightweight Eco-stove, shown boiling a billy - for day and overnight walking.

Blue Mountains Crossing
Details of various walks that constitute in all a crossing of the Blue Mountains - Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW site.

Blue Mountains Eco-Tourism
Listing of bushwalking, canyoning, climbing and 4WD tourism services in the Blue Mountains.

Blue Mountains Guides
"We offer freedom of choice unparralled here in the Blue Mountains, with an amazing array of half and full day hikes, wilderness walks, overnight escapes and the famous Six Foot Track."

Blue Mountains Outdoor Recreation - personal site
"Freya Su is a student at Wentworth Falls TAFE, doing Certificate 4, Outdoor Recreation, Interpretive Guiding. This site is an attempt to organise information for future use."

Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad
"Our members are fit and experienced outdoor enthusiasts, who are trained and equipped to be self sufficient in rugged bushland, able to operate for several days without external support. Our many skills include navigation, search techniques, canyoning and cliff rescue. Our members donate their time so these services are free to the public."

Bushwalks and Bushwalking Tracks
A comprehensive list of walks, graded for difficulty, distance and accessibility, as well as features (waterfalls, rainforest, bird life) and safety information.

Euroka Homestead - Megalong Valley
"The homestead sleeps up to 18 people and the farm cottage sleeps up to 12 people. Great for families and small groups of up to 32 people wanting to take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life."

Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust
Official site for Jenolan Caves - history, activities, accommodation.

Megalong Books - Leura
Large selection of fiction and non-fiction books, popular children's books and books about the Blue Mountains, including history, guides to bushwalks and local flora and fauna and photographic books, among others.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Guided Tours - Blue Mountains
"This page shows guided Discovery activities in and around Blue Mountains National Park. These activities are developed and led by specialist Discovery Rangers. They show you the secrets and unexpected pleasures of national parks - from Aboriginal culture to nocturnal wildlife."

National Pass - one of Australia's finest walking trails
Six kilometres of majestic wild scenery and waterfalls in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Detailed 'Walk the Trail' pages, maps, nearby accommodation and many slideshows with more than 100 images.

Six Foot Track
"The Six Foot Track is the best way to get the true feel of NSW's rich history and its evolution over the last 200 years. Winding through State forests and national parks, the track follows the 45 kilometre route of the original 1884 horse track from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. It usually takes three days to walk the whole track, but shorter walks can also be taken on sections of the track where road access is possible, making the track a perfect day trip or overnight camping experience." Get details and Map information on this NSW Lands Department site.

Six Foot Track Marathon
"The Six Foot Track is a 45km footpath stretching across the Blue Mountains from The Explorer's Marked Tree, near Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. The marathon started in 1984 and follows the length of the entire footpath. It is Australia's 5th largest marathon and by far the largest 100% off-road running event. The race is a fundraiser for the Rural Fire Service & Six Foot Track Heritage Trust. It currently attracts approx 700 entrants each year. The date of the next race is 8am, Saturday 13th March 2010."

Springwood Bushwalking Club
"We undertake a variety of bushwalks from day walks to challenging multi-day wilderness adventures. Other activities include mountain bike rides, car camping and liloing. We also offer training in navigation/map reading, bush skills and encourage members to undertake first aid training. There is usually a range of activities every weekend. Each activity is lead by a volunteer. Leaders submit activity ideas to the committee before they are published in the program. Our Program is updated every two months and operates for three months with a rolling one month overlap."

Tread Lightly Eco Tours
Experience a fully guided bushwalk and 4WD tour, specialising in the environmental and cultural aspects of Australia's World Heritage Blue Mountains.

Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club
"Keep fit and meet some great people while enjoying the bush. If you like bushwalking, cycling, canyoning or camping, then check out the new clubs activities programme page. The club is open to most ages. You just need to bring along a smile and a sense of adventure. We are a local club, active in the Blue Mountains area for over 20 years, and a member of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs of NSW."

Wild Walks - Blue Mountains
"Wildwalks is developed by a small group of people who are passionate about the outdoors. We want to encourage people to 'get out there' and enjoy the great places on offer. Our goal is to build a massive database of bushwalking tracks from around Australia." The Wildwalks website lists 246 bushwalks in the Blue Mountains.