Scenic World Blue Mountains Review: What to Expect on a Day Trip from Sydney
Scenic World in Katoomba is routinely rated as one of the top “things to do” when visiting Sydney, Australia. It promises views of the iconic Blue Mountains from glass-bottom cable cars and the steepest passenger railway in the world.
But is it actually an “adventure,” or just a crowded tourist trap?
During our family trip to New South Wales, we spent a day exploring the Jamison Valley to find out. Here is our firsthand review of the rides, the walks, and the massive navigation mistake we made just trying to get there.
Getting There: Our 2.5-Hour Google Maps Fail
If you are driving from downtown Sydney, getting to Scenic World should take about 1.5 hours. But check your GPS settings carefully! Someone accidentally changed our Google Maps settings to “avoid freeways.” Instead of a quick drive, we ended up on a winding 2.5-hour backroute. Because of this, we arrived much later than planned and ran headfirst into the massive crowds from the Sydney tour buses.
Road Trip & Travel Tip: If you want to avoid our mistake (and the lines), double-check your route, leave early, and pre-purchase your tickets online. When you arrive, you get to bypass the ticket purchase line and go straight to the entry queue.
The Scenic Skyway: Walking on Glass
The Scenic Skyway glides over the Jamison Valley between two cliffs, 886 feet above the valley floor. It is the largest aerial cable car in the southern hemisphere.
If you are afraid of heights, be warned: there is an electro-glass floor in the center of the cable car. Once the car is in motion, the frosted glass suddenly clears, revealing the rainforest canopy directly under your feet!
Once you cross over to the Skyway’s East Station, you can take a set of stairs down to view the top portion of Katoomba Falls. If you have the time, this connects to the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, which offers some of the best views of the famous Three Sisters rock formation.
Prince Henry Cliff Walking paths take you from Skyway’s East Station to Echo Point and the Three Sisters. Enjoy sounds of the nearby trickling freshwater streams and birds singing their songs from the trees. This walk stretches between Katoomba Cascades to Gordon Falls and is considered one of NSW’s best scenic walks. Taking 3-4 hours to complete this walk, stick to the lookouts close to Scenic World.
The Scenic Railway: The Steepest Train in the World
Originally built in the 1800s to haul coal out of the Katoomba mines, the Scenic Railway is the steepest passenger railway in the world, plunging over 1,000 feet into the lush rainforest at a ridiculous 128% incline.
Our family loves unique thrills, so we couldn’t wait for this. As the train descends through a dark cliff tunnel, they actually blast the Indiana Jones theme song over the speakers!
A Warning for Tall Riders
Inside the car, you can adjust your seat’s incline up to 20° (choosing between the 52° “original” or the 64° “cliffhanger”). However, space is incredibly tight. We have long legs, and we had to seriously crunch down. Make sure you place your knees firmly against the padded bar in front of you, or you will fall forward. Also, if you are tall, pick a seat that has a clear window above your head. Once the incline changes, your view shifts—our sons ended up staring straight at a metal beam and had to lean over uncomfortably to catch a glimpse of the valley.
The Valley Floor: Boardwalks & Coal Mines
At the bottom of the railway, you step out into the Jamison Valley floor. The Scenic Walkway is a 1.5-mile elevated boardwalk that winds under the dense rainforest canopy.
Along the route, you’ll find remnants of the area’s early history, including preserved coal mine entrances and a bronze miner statue. Be prepared for steep paths and lots of stairs! If you want to skip the long hike, there is a short 10-minute shortcut between the Railway and Cableway stations.
The Scenic Cableway: The Ride Back Up
To get back to the Top Station (and the parking lot), you can take the Scenic Cableway. This is a fully enclosed, 1/3-mile cable ride back up the cliff face. It gave us great views of Orphan Rock, but if we are being honest, this was our least favorite ride at Scenic World. It is much less extreme than the Railway, and because it holds so many people, it can feel a bit like a crowded elevator. Next time, we will take the Railway down and up.
The Cableway ride was our least favorite at Scenic World. Next time, we will take the railway back up to the top. At the Top Station, you can enjoy restaurants, shopping, or use refreshment rooms. Free parking is located near the Scenic World Top Station. Public access vehicles are also available there.
The “Real Talk” Survival Guide: 4 Tips for Scenic World
- 📱 Don’t Trust the Default GPS: If you are driving from Sydney, double-check your maps app to ensure “Avoid Tolls” or “Avoid Freeways” is turned off, or your 90-minute drive will take almost 3 hours.
- 🎟️ Buy Tickets Online: The ticket purchase line gets massive by mid-morning. Pre-purchasing allows you to jump straight into the queue for the rides.
- 💺 Adjust Your Train Seat: When you get on the steep Scenic Railway, don’t just sit down. Use the controls to adjust your seat to the “Cliffhanger” setting for the best experience.
- 👟 Wear Hiking Shoes: Even though you are taking trains and cable cars, you will be walking miles of steep boardwalks in the valley. Leave the sandals in the car.