Take in spectacular views from this Blue Mountains town.
In the heart of the Blue Mountains, within day-tripping distance of Sydney, Katoomba is a popular tourist town offering easy access to some of the prettiest natural attractions in the region. Many people come here to hike, though there are plenty of roadside attractions, too, including the Eaglehawk and Landslide Lookouts as well as the oft-photographed Three Sisters rock formations. Katoomba is also home to Scenic World, where visitors can take a ride on an incline railway, a skyway, or a cable car for fantastic views out over the mountains and valleys.
Katoomba is the de facto gateway to the Blue Mountains, and while many of the region's top attractions are located in or around town, there's plenty more to visit in the surrounding region. Highlights include the Jenolan Caves, about an hour away, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, about a 45-minute drive from Katoomba via Mount Victoria.
Sydney is the nearest major city to Katoomba and offers all the trappings of a cosmopolitan city plus easy access to loads of fantastic beaches. While much of the Sydney area is decidedly urban, there are plenty of pristine natural areas within a short jaunt from town, including Royal National Park to the south and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park just north of the metropolitan area.
Spread out over 1,200 hectares, just north of Fish River, Eusdale Nature Reserve near Katoomba is an ideal spot to go for a hike, particularly if you're trying to get away from crowds. A 10-kilometre trail runs through the reserve and gets relatively few hikers, meaning you may very well get the whole place to yourself.
The best time to visit Katoomba and the surrounding Blue Mountains region is during the spring, when temperatures are pleasantly warm but rainfall hasn't peaked. Summer gets a bit of rain, which can put a literal damper on outdoor fun, and while winters are relatively drier, they can be cool and snowy. If you do come in winter, try to plan your visit to coincide with the annual Winter Magic Festival to see the entire town transformed into an outdoor performance venue.