This walk starts at the most popular lookout in the Blue Mountains, and passes one of Australia's most famous landmarks, The Three Sisters. After descending into the valley and enjoying the views along the bottom of the cliffs you catch the scenic railway back up the hill. With great views of the valley, and a beautiful forest environment, this is a popular walk. All the more because at the end, the world's steepest railway is available to take walkers back up to the top of the cliffs. This walk is not suitable for people with heart or breathing difficulties and for those with a fear of heights.
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Catch the bus to Echo Point
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
Echo Point is the Blue Mountains' most famous lookout, home to one of the best photo opportunities for the Three Sisters. Visited by over two million tourists each year, this popular spot also serves as the starting point for numerous bush walks of various grades, securing its position as one of the most popular locations in the Blue Mountains.
(0 km)
Echo Point
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Echo Point Archway Intersection Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 92 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -1 m
From Echo Point, this walk heads away from the view, towards the visitor centre and the toilet block. On the other side of the visitor centre, the track comes to the start of a footpath which winds under an archway, signposted as the way to the Three Sisters
Echo Point Visitor Information Centre
Alt = 954 m
This modern building at Echo Point is a great source of information. It is open daily from 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day). There is a large range of books, maps and information about the area (and ice creams). There are toilets opposite the entrance, (including wheelchair-accessible facilities). For more information, phone 1300 653 408. More info
(0.09 km)
Echo Point Archway Intersection
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The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection Track: Hard - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 507 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -75 m
From the archway, this walk heads away from the Echo point and follows the higher of the two paths through the bush for a short while, until this walk comes to an intersection with the lower path on the right. From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath heading away from the 'Y' intersection and bending around to the right. The path winds down the long, gentle hill until it flattens out, coming to an unnamed lookout opposite the intersection of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and the Three Sisters footpath. From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath down the gentle hill, keeping the cliffs and the valley down the hill to the right as it winds down to the intersection of the Oreades Lookout Track. From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the gentle hill towards the Three Sisters, passing under a rock archway and coming to the top of the Giant Staircase. From the bridge, the walk heads up the staircase steeply to the top. The stairs have handrails and climb up the side of the cliffs to the intersection with the Lady Game Lookout track.
(0.6 km)
The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection
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The Three Sisters Optional sidetrip: Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - bushtrack
Length = 6 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection, the track crosses the bridge over to the Three Sisters.
The Three Sisters
Alt = 845 m
This well-known rock formation can be found just south of Katoomba, and can be viewed from many of the cliffside lookouts, from Narrow Neck all the way around to Sublime Point. Historically, this formation appears in Aboriginal 'Dream Time' stories, where three sisters were transformed into stone. This iconic rock formation is popular amongst tourists and bushwalkers alike. More info
(0.6 km)
The Three Sisters Bridge intersection
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Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 472 m
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -191 m
From the bridge, the track goes steeply down the cliff using the staircase with handrails. Along the way there are magnificent views of the valley, with chairs to help enjoy various outlooks. The track continues to descend steeply until coming to an intersection with a flat bush track, signposted as the 'Dardenelles Walking Track'. From the bottom of the Giant Staircase, the track follows the 'Scenic Railway' sign, keeping the main cliff to the right. The track continues with some great views over the Valley, and at several points, there are small seats to enjoy these fine views. The track then comes to a well-signposted intersection, with signs pointing along the 'Federal Pass Track' and 'Dardanelles Pass'.
(1.07 km)
Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks
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Cooks Crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.74 km
Time = 59 mins
Climb = 226 m
Descent = -217 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Federal Pass' sign towards 'Scenic Railway', keeping the main cliffs on the right. Not long after the intersection, the track passes 'under the sisters' rock formation (signposted). From here, the track turns and continues along a relatively stretch and, at several points, passes some notable rock formations and caves embedded in the cliffs. There are occasional good views that are not shrouded by the trees. The walk continues until coming to the base of Katoomba Falls, crossing these using a metal bridge know as 'Cooks Crossing'. (Just across the bridge, there is a picnic table.)
(2.81 km)
Cooks Crossing
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Int of Furber Steps and Scenic Railway Track Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 170 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection, this walk heads south-west away from Katoomba Falls along the bush track, soon passing the signposted 'Turpentine Tree'. Shortly after this tree, the track comes to an intersection with another bush track and set of stairs (on the right, signposted as 'Furber Steps').
(2.98 km)
Int of Furber Steps and Scenic Railway Track
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Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 166 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -16 m
From the bottom of Furber Steps, this walk follows the 'To base of scenic railway' sign keeping the handrail on the left, and following the flat bush track. This track passes through a small gate over a metal bridge at the bottom of the Scenic Railway.
(3.14 km)
Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform)
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Scenic World Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - transport
Length = 275 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 203 m
Descent = -2 m
From the bottom platform, this walk heads up to the cliff top using the Scenic Railway. Hang on tight! This 415m-long journey is the world's steepest railway. Use of the railway costs $10 for adults and $5 for children one-way. Last train normally at 4:45pm (opens at 9am). More info Note: The distance and altitude change for this ride is not included in the total for this walk.
Scenic World
Alt = 951 m
Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available. More info
Catch the bus from Scenic World
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 39 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Attracting over 3 million visitors annually, Blue Mountains National Park holds some of Australia's most spectacular and diverse wilderness areas. Explore the Grose Valley, with its sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and scenic walking, or enjoy the famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region.
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last checked Monday 15th of March 2010 08:00 AM
Closed areas
Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is CLOSED until further notice.
Grand Canyon Track
Due to track restoration works the Grand Canyon track is completely CLOSED whilst major resoration works take place.
From January 11th until further notice:
There is no access for canyoners (7 days)
There is no access for walkers (7 days) from either end of the track.
There is no access to the Grose Valley from Evans Lookout via Grand Canyon
Current works will be completed by end of June 2010.
Other closure information
Burralow Picnic and Camping Area has RE-OPENED. Access is 4WD only, please take care using this trail.
The Giant Stairway and Dardanelles Pass (between Leura Forest and Federal Pass/Dardanelles Junction) will be CLOSED for trackwork for approximately two hours on Monday 15 March 2010. An exact time for the closure cannot be given at this stage, but please expect the delay from approximately 9am.
The Braeside Fire Trail at Blackheath, is CLOSED for a pest management program, until approximately Friday 19 March. There is no access for vehicles, walkers or bike riders.When the pest management program has been completed the fire trail access will be restricted to 4WD until we can upgrade the causeway, due to flood damage.
The Braeside walking track is OPEN - access is from the Cliff Top Track only – return by same route.
Due to storm damage and flooding areas of the park are CLOSED. Visitors are advised not to enter canyons or attempt to cross flooded creeks and rivers. The following areas are CLOSED until further notice:
Mt Hay Road
Undercliff track from Den Fenella to Princes Rock
Darwins Walk
For updates and further information please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre at Blackheath, ph:4787 8877, open 7 days 9:00am to 4:30pm