Blue Mountains Traverse - 5 Days

Blue Mountains Traverse - 5 Days

5 Days
Moderate

Blue Mountains Traverse - 5 Days

from $1,740 / person

Overview

Traverse the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Blue Mountains on this five-day walk, just 90 minutes from Sydney.

The route travels from Blackheath through Katoomba and on to Leura, crossing the plateau, descending into ancient valleys, threading through canyons, and tracing waterways along some of the finest tracks in the mountains.

The descents into the valley floor bring you close enough to feel and smell the forest, with waterfalls, towering sandstone cliffs and the chance of spotting the elusive Lyrebird among the highlights. The scenery shifts constantly, and the views are as remarkable as any in Australia.


Highlights

  • Breathtaking views from Govett's Leap and Pulpit Rock
  • Witness the distinctive blue haze for which the Blue Mountains are named
  • Walking down into the Grand Canyon, one of Australia's most beautiful walks
  • An exhilarating ride on the Scenic Railway into the depths of the rainforest
  • Get up close to the famous Three Sisters as you walk the track to Leura, with its thriving arts scene
  • Charming accommodation and fabulous food and wine options

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (4 nights)

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

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

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

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

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

3

Days on the trail

7-20 km

Daily distance range

590-1252 m

Daily ascent range

6/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in carefully selected accommodation in Blackheath and Katoomba, ranging from lodges and four-star hotels to charming bed and breakfasts. All rooms have their own ensuite, and the local hosts Auswalk works with are attentive and genuinely invested in making each day run smoothly.

What You'll Eat

A hearty breakfast is included each morning, varying between cooked, continental or both. A substantial packed lunch is provided daily and enjoyed at a memorable spot on the track. Dinner is included on your first night in Blackheath at a local restaurant. On all other evenings, the many excellent restaurants nearby are yours to explore independently — ask your hosts or the Auswalk team for their recommendations.

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, both well connected by train from Sydney Central.

The journey takes around two hours and ten minutes and costs approximately $8 to $12, with no need to book in advance.

Trains also stop at Sydney Airport, making it easy to connect directly from a flight. Blackheath station is around a six-minute walk from your accommodation, or a short taxi ride if preferred. At the end of the walk, Katoomba Station is a short stroll from the finish point.

Note: Private transfer options are available at an additional cost. Contact the office for details.

The Blue Mountains walks are available year-round, with each season offering a different experience. Autumn and winter are excellent for walking, with cool, dry conditions and little rain through May to August. Winter days can be cold and July occasionally brings snowfall, adding a dramatic edge to the escarpment scenery. Spring brings warmer temperatures from September onwards, though October and November see higher rainfall. Summer is the warmest period but also the wettest, with January and February most affected by heavy rain and occasional track closures.

You'll spend most of your days on well-marked tracks and trails, with the occasional steep section as you climb out of or drop into the gorges and valleys below. The terrain shifts with the day. Cliff-top paths lead you past Govetts Leap and Pulpit Rock before the track drops into the Grand Canyon, where tree ferns and lichen crowd in close. On Day 3 you can tackle the steep, rainforest-lined Furber Steps as an alternative to the Scenic Railway, and Day 4 brings the 862 steps of the Giant Stairway on the way down to Leura Forest. Expect a mix of easy-going, moderate and more challenging walking, so there's something for every level of experience. Heavy rain can close sections of track, and we'll offer alternative routes where we can.

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