Just outside of Sydney lies the celebrated Blue Mountains, which evokes serene moments in families wanting to escape the city and enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. With natural attractions and exciting activities outdoors and indoors, everyone in the family will be satisfied. Be it appreciating a bright day in a scenic world with immaculate rides or relishing a mouthful of handmade chocolates after an inappropriate long bushwalk, every single one of those wishes is the blue mountains’ best answer. Here is a detailed list of the best activities and attractions of this huge region that are highly appropriate for children and families.
Scenic World Blue Mountains
Families also enjoy stunning views of the Blue Mountains thanks to the various rides or rides available in Scenic World, making it one of the best family-friendly places to visit. Children and parents alike will definitely be thrilled with the Scenic Railway, which is also considered the world’s steepest passenger railway. For the more laid-back tourists, there’s the Scenic Cableway or the Scenic Skyway to cross the beautiful Jamison Valley and the famous Three Sisters, from which marvellous sights can be seen. The Skyway, which is a glass-roofed cable tram, will give you unrivalled views of Katoomba Falls and the ancient rock formations.
The Scenic Walkway is a great activity for families, in particular those with younger children as it provides a civil course through thick rainforests where the native wildlife and flora can be appreciated by all. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes while enjoying this kind of trip!
Exploring the Three Sisters
The Three Sisters rock formation deserves prominence in any tourist’s travel plan while exploring the Blue Mountains. Along with this is the folklore of these three sandstone pillars, which is an excellent presentation of Australian Aboriginal culture. Visitors at the Echo Point Lookout are treated to sweeping views of the valley and the rock formation of the Three Sisters. You can take a short bushwalk from Echo Point to get closer to the formation, which is ideal for a family trip or school holiday activity. The bushwalk is one of those simple family adventures that should take less than an hour to complete.
Additionally, when in Katoomba, it is cold, and hot chocolate in the Katoomba cafes is such an enjoyment, as the spectacular views of the blue mountains are savoured.
Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves are great for families looking for expedition and excitement as they consist of one of the oldest known cave systems in the world. These Blue Mountains tour can include the Lucas cave tour, characterized by huge chambers and remarkable formations. The shorter, less vigorous tours without climbing into Kakadu caves will suit parents with younger children as they highlight the blue glow worms within the cave.
Should your family be fans of adventure activities, visiting this region’s largest cave is a must. The underground rivers of the caves, aside from the amazing caves’ rocks, are simply amazing and worth to be seen. Remember to run to the gift shop after the day’s adventures and get a great souvenir of your memorable day at Jenolan.
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Featherdale Wildlife Park is a great spot for families who love animals, given that it is located at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Featherdale boasts great popularity as it encompasses a good number of Australia’s exotic faunas, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and dingoes. Children will certainly be thrilled to feed kangaroos and pet a nice koala. The park also offers great talks on animals, making it fun and educational.
For parents looking to occupy their little children in some activity, Featherdale also provides a Kids Kingdom where kids can safely play and expend their energy. Because of the work done by the park on conservation campaign, it becomes a wonderful place to understand the ways of protecting the native wildlife of Australia.
Everglades House & Gardens
In the middle of the demanding journey, feel the need to relax, head to Everglades House & Gardens located in Leura. Sundry maintained gardens with different blooming plants open up within the walls of this epic-aged house built in the 1930s. Families can walk around the secret garden where children can satisfy their curiosity and imagination by running around looking for hidden spaces.
The spacious lawns make it a perfect site for a family picnic. Everglades commands superb views of the Jamison Valley and is thus a nice place to relax and enjoy nature. The building also contains some ancient styled furniture which is a great cultural showcasing of the region.
Leura Cascades
Among the many Australian attractions, Leura Cascades is a family favourite. Young kids will find the short distance in walking to the cascades very easy, while the shallow pools are perfect for the children to play in. Nestled with eucalyptus trees and a breathtaking vista, this place happens to be one of the best picnic spots in the Blue Mountains.
And if you decide so, then keep in mind the nearby Katoomba Falls and Wenworth Falls, two more of the regions natural highlights. The Katoomba Cascades provides another good family-friendly walking track.
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
For a family that loves nature and gardening, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is a great place to visit. A wide variety of plants are displayed, from Australian species to exotic flowers brought in from around the world. Fully equipped with a kid’s adventure playground and a range of family-oriented workshops held at various times of the year, a day’s visit to the Botanic Garden is bound to be fun.
If you want to try something special, there are the Blue Mountains Stargazing events at the garden, during which you and your kids will find out about the constellations of the southern sky.
The Dinosaur Valley at the Scenic World
In case you are planning to visit in the summer, Dinosaur Valley is a must at Scenic World and you do not want to skip this one. The special feature comprises of dinosaur models positioned along the walking tracks who bring dinosaurs, hence making the fascinating event come alive. Kids will enjoy catching sight of their favorite dinosaurs while watching the beautiful sceneries of the Blue Mountains.
Wentworth Falls Lake and Aquatic Centre
Wentworth Falls Lake is ideal for the families that wish to take a break from all the activities. This is a quiet place where you can paddle, swim or sit and eat food as there is water. The Blue Mountains Aquatic Centre is also close by with both indoor and outdoor pools where people who want to do something inside during the cold weather can head. The lake area is also quite a great area that has good walking tracks if you are looking for something else that is more active.
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba is a recommended place for those who seek an amalgam of culture and history. It houses an interdisciplinary display of interactive resources and includes the aspect of the history of the region and the history of Aboriginal culture. They also have various different exhibitions and activities which change and so it is useful in the colder months when there is not much to do indoors.
FAQ
What is the ideal time for visiting the Blue Mountains with kids?
Blue Mountains is an all-weather destination but it is best time visit for family outings in spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May). These seasons provide spectacular views, but the temperature is comfortable; hence, the visitors are able to participate in activities outside.
Are there any easy walking trails accessible to very young children?
Of course, the Leura Cascades walk, and the Scenic Walkway at Scenic World are gentle walks appropriate for the family. Kids will also love Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Cascades, which are wonderful alternatives.
Would it be possible to make a single overnight visit and see the attractions on a day trip from Sydney?
It is a fact! The Blue Mountains are a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Sydney, making it a proper day destination. However, if you wish to do more and enjoy more family holiday activities at a normal rate, an overnight stay will be necessary.
Will the children be able to explore Jenolan Caves?
Definitely yes, The Jenolan Caves have tours available which cater for all age groups. If it’s a journey with smaller children, make sure to choose tours which have lesser time or exercise.
Where can we see wildlife in the Blue Mountains?
To see Australian fauna, one can go to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. The park includes feeding kangaroos, meeting koalas and this serves as an attraction for families.