GENERAL INFO
This Blue Mountains Traverse starts and finishes in the Blue Mountains with a short two-hour train ride (fare not included) from Sydney to the first accommodation. The Blue Mountains walks are mostly along well-marked tracks and trails, with occasional steeper sections either ascending out of or descending into the gorges and valleys below. It’s a great combination of easy going, moderate and more challenging walking terrain offering something for every level of experience.
Importantly, we walk in and out of accommodations and move you along the track in order to limit the travel time in a vehicle. Your luggage moves along with you seamlessly as you walk from one accommodation to the next with just your day pack.
The Blue Mountains Traverse comprehensive walk notes provide lots of information on the flora, fauna, history and geology of the Blue Mountains. For further information on this trip watch this walk being featured on an episode of the Sydney Weekender in 2017.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
HOW TO GET THERE
Travelling to the Start of the walk
This walk starts in the village of Blackheath.
The walk ends in Katoomba we have included a taxi transfer to Katoomba train station.
You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the walk in the Blue Mountains. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.
Public Transport: By far the easiest option is to catch a train from Sydney. Your starting destination is Blackheath. It is approximately a 6 minute walk to your accommodation so you may prefer to catch a taxi (at your expense).
The train will take around 2hrs 10min from Sydney Central station and costs approximately AUD$8 to $12. You can buy tickets directly at the train station; there is no need to book. You can also catch the train at Sydney airport and swap at Central station. The trains in peak times depart approximately every 15 mins, out of peak every 30 mins to 40 mins.
Please note: If you would prefer a private taxi transfer we can provide details for you to arrange. This will be an additional cost.
Travelling from the End of the walk
Public Transport: Take the train from Katoomba Station. We have included a taxi transfer from your accommodation to the station.
WEATHER
Available all year except July. October-November is usually mild to warm. Temperatures warm up from December-February. March-April is usually cool to mild. Temperatures drop from May onwards and the days are cool to cold but with little rain and good for walking. Warmer, spring weather returns around September.
See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
Source: BOM
INSURANCE
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
SELF GUIDED
7 DAYS
Moderate to Challenging
Rebecca K
AusWalk was a highly professional company from start to finish. It was extremely well organised and catered for our every need. The accommodation provided in the Blue Mountains was exceptional. The itineraries provided for our self guided walk were very easy to follow and there was no issue about getting lost. I would highly recommend this company for eight hiking, walking tour of the Blue Mountains.
Barbara W
The Blue Mountains – self-guided walk is truly awesome but don’t expect easy walking! However if you love rugged mountains bathed in a blue haze from the eucalypts, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, spectacular waterfalls, interesting caves and canyons, challenging steps down into the valleys (and up again) – then it is for you. I would recommend you do it in spring when all the wild flowers are in bloom in the bush along with the rhododendrons, daffodils, tulips and lily-of-the-valley blooming in the towns. At the end of the day enjoy the comfort of an open fire place for a pre-dinner drink and swap stories with other travellers. As well as enjoying the plant and animal life – Superb Lyrebirds can be seen scratching in the leaf litter; marvel at the geology of the area, Towering cliffs of sandstone overlaid with igneous (volcanic) rocks suggesting the area formed in a swamp but some time in the distant past the whole area was uplifted to a height of around 1000 metres. Learn something of the history of the area – coal mines operated below Katoomba with some mine shafts extending for 1500 metres into the cliff faces. Families lived near the mines below the cliffs, but each Sunday the priest would come down a staircase called the Golden Stairs to say Mass for them.
9/23/2016 7:00 PMAdd tags –
Rob and J M
Auswalk’s Blue Mt. Walk is excellent. The accommodation, hosts and meals are very good; especially after a day on the track. The walk notes are excellent. Auswalk have presented the best of the Blue Mts. In this package. Well done to Auswalk and the accommodation providers. We were very happy with this trip and would recommend this to all walkers. This is one part of Australia you must visit.