Blue Mountains Traverse - 7 Days

Blue Mountains Traverse - 7 Days

7 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Blue Mountains Traverse - 7 Days

from $2,345 / person

Overview

The Blue Mountains is the most accessible World Heritage-listed wilderness area in Australia. This traverse crosses the plateau and valley floor from Mt Victoria through Blackheath and Katoomba to Wentworth Falls, with highlights including Bridal Veil Falls, Govett's Leap Lookout, the Jamison Valley via the Scenic Railway, and the Waterfall Valley near Leura.

The route passes close to the Three Sisters, with breathtaking views across the distinctive blue haze for which these mountains were named. Forested descents lead to close-up views of waterfalls, where creeping vines, green moss, and giant trees line the trail. The elusive Lyrebird is a frequent presence along the way.

Please note: Blue Mountains walks run year-round. November to March are the warmest months but also carry the highest rainfall, with January and February most affected. Track closures are common after heavy rain and alternative walking options will be arranged where possible.

Highlights

  • Descents through lushly forested areas to vantage points with close up views of waterfalls
  • Creeping vines, green moss and giant trees
  • Potential to catch a glimpse of the elusive Lyrebird
  • Hike into the depths of stunning canyons where forest giants tower overhead with the sounds of flowing water, birdsong and wind in the trees
  • Witness the evocative blue haze that gives the mountains their name, as you hike through eucalyptus forest

Itinerary

Day 1

Blackheath

The Blue Mountains Traverse starts in Blackheath any time after 2pm. There is no walking scheduled for today but there are several galleries and coffee shops in the village worth exploring.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Blackheath

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (6 nights)

Meals

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 1 dinner

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

5

Days on the trail

12-20 km

Daily distance range

527-1252 m

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Enjoy six nights in a handpicked mix of lodges and four-star hotels, finishing with a bed and breakfast on the final evening. All rooms have en-suite facilities, and the local hosts who look after accommodation and transfers are genuinely invested in making each day run as smoothly as possible.

What You'll Eat

Breakfast is provided on all six mornings of the walk, served as a cooked spread, continental or a combination of both. Walker's lunches are included on each of the five walking days, hearty enough to carry you through a full day on the trail. The spread varies but typically includes a high-protein salad, a roll or wrap, a muesli bar, something sweet and a piece of fruit. On arrival in Blackheath, dinner is taken à la carte at a local restaurant, a fitting introduction to a region known for attracting some of the country's best chefs.

On other evenings, there is no shortage of excellent restaurants close by, and your hosts are always happy to point you in the right direction.Award-winning wines from the nearby Hunter Valley are well worth exploring alongside your meals. Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

Note: Drinks and alcohol are not included with meals, with the exception of tea, coffee and juice served with breakfast.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Blackheath and finishes in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. The most practical way to reach Blackheath is by train from Sydney Central station, with journey times of around 2 hours 10 minutes. Trains can also be picked up at Sydney Airport, with a change at Central. Services run frequently throughout the day. From Blackheath station, the starting accommodation is around a 6-minute walk; taxis are available for those with heavy luggage. Private taxi transfers can also be arranged on request at an additional cost.

The walk ends in Katoomba, which has its own train station with regular services back to Sydney. No booking is required; tickets can be purchased at the station.

This walk is available throughout the year, except July, with no fixed start days. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons. September to November brings warming days, wildflowers on the escarpment and mild, comfortable temperatures. March and April offer cool, settled conditions with little rain, ideal for the longer days on this traverse. December through February is the warmest period but also the wettest, and summer heat can make walking demanding. From May onwards, temperatures drop and the days are cool to cold, though generally dry and clear. Pack layers and a waterproof whatever the month; the mountains create their own weather..

The terrain is mountainous and undulating in places, so sturdy walking boots with good ankle support are essential. Elevation is the primary training consideration; build up to around 16 kilometres comfortably in a single day, include back-to-back walking days, and incorporate serious hill climbs and strength exercises such as squats and lunges into your preparation.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba is free to visit and houses the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery alongside the Into the Blue World Heritage interpretive exhibition, exploring the natural landscape, geology and Aboriginal cultural history of the Greater Blue Mountains through interactive displays. The Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum at Faulconbridge preserves the home and studio of the celebrated Australian artist, with original paintings, drawings and sculpture in a heritage garden setting.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Blue Mountains reviews

4.9
47 reviews
5 Star
44
4 Star
3
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0

Darren M
3 months ago

The scenery was stunning on each day. We managed to spot, or hear, several lyrebirds during the walk. Be aware that the scramble over the landslide section towards Ruined Castle requires a lot of care. And the descent at the start of the 6 foot track into Nellies gully is very steep in places, and also requires a lot of care (and good knees!). But after Nellies is quite easy. The accommodation at both Blackheath and Katoomba were very good. The Carrington in Katoomba is a wonderful old style art deco hotel that was one of the trip highlights in fact.

Anne-Louise F
4 months ago

We thoroughly enjoyed our Auswalk self-guided walk in the Blue Mountains. Accommodation choices were great. Clear communication, maps, walking notes and APP all worked to deliver a great holiday. Thank you.

Catherine W
4 months ago

Overall we LOVED the walks and the variety that they offered. Great family holiday.

Deborah K
7 months ago

The guides were extremely friendly and professional.

Jenny S
9 months ago

The Blue Mountains is a paradise for walkers and this Auswalk Grand traverse 4 day walk covered some beautiful features

Jenny S
9 months ago

The Blue Mountains is a paradise for walkers and Auswalk Blue Mountains walk covered some beautiful features

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before walking in the Blue Mountains

Mobile coverage can be limited in parts of the Blue Mountains. Auswalk provides a walking app with GPX files that can be downloaded and viewed offline, making navigation straightforward even without reception. We also recommend downloading the free Emergency+ app before you go — it uses GPS to pinpoint your exact location even without phone signal, and allows you to call emergency services directly with your coordinates sent automatically.

The Blue Mountains walks are known for opening and closing at short notice due to sustained wet weather, landslides and infrastructure works. We monitor track conditions daily and will contact you with alternative walk options if a closure affects your itinerary before departure. Your walk notes also include contact numbers and park links so you can monitor conditions once your walk has begun. Flexibility is key to enjoying the Blue Mountains.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations while you walk, so you only need to carry a daypack each day. Bags must weigh no more than 23kg. Please do not exceed this limit as it can cause problems for those handling your luggage.

Water cannot be refilled along most sections of the track, so carry a minimum of two litres in cool weather and three litres in hot weather. Always plan ahead and fill up before you set off each day.

Key items include waterproof walking shoes or boots with good ankle support and grip, a quality waterproof jacket with hood, warm layers, a wide-brimmed sun hat, sunscreen (50+), sunglasses, a medium-sized daypack and a basic first aid kit. A portable phone charger is also strongly recommended. Walking poles are optional and not supplied by Auswalk. A full packing list will be included in your information pack sent four to six weeks before departure.

The Blue Mountains is generally cooler than Sydney. May through August brings cool to cold days with little rain — considered the best walking conditions. Spring and autumn are mild, while summer can bring warm temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity. Always layer your clothing and be prepared for conditions to change quickly. Check the Bureau of Meteorology before departure for the most up-to-date forecasts.

Yes. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can inform your restaurants and accommodation hosts. If you have a very restricted diet, providing a list of foods you can eat is helpful. The sooner we know, the better we can prepare.

Credit cards are widely accepted, including in smaller towns, but carrying some Australian dollars at all times is recommended. ATMs are available in the main towns along the route, though they can be less frequent between stops. The currency throughout Australia is the Australian Dollar.

Want to Know More?

The Blue Mountains Experience

Wonder
Descend the Giant Stairway beside the Three Sisters and their Aboriginal legend
Trace old miners’ routes to Ruined Castle beneath the Jamison Valley escarpments
View Govetts Leap and Pulpit Rock over vast blue-hazed sandstone country
Wellness
Challenge yourself on the Grand Canyon loop through ferns, waterfalls and cool shade
Refresh beside spectacular Wentworth Falls after cliff-carved tracks and airy lookouts
Savour substantial walkers lunches at fabulous trackside spots between mountain stages
Nature
Walk through eucalyptus forest, where the mountains glow with their distinctive blue haze
Wander beneath giant tree ferns, mossy grottoes and overhanging cliffs in Waterfall Valley
Listen for birdsong and flowing water, with lyrebirds and currawongs along the track