Blue Mountains Private Day Tour
Stunning sandstone formations, exceptional lookouts, optional bushwalks short or long - Beyond the Three Sisters
An hour and a half west of Sydney, the plateau edge drops away and you look across valleys that took 250 million years to form. Fine eucalyptus oil particles, water vapour and dust particles combine to create a blue haze in the distance.
The Three Sisters at Echo Point are what most visitors come for. But the Blue Mountains are far larger than any single landmark: ancient sandstone formations, quiet escarpment tracks, waterfalls and freshwater pools, hanging swamps, remnant volcanoes and views across valleys that stretch to the horizon.
This is a fully private day tour, just your group and your guide. The pace and itinerary are shaped entirely around your interests and fitness level.
Your Guide
Greg has been exploring the Blue Mountains for years. His knowledge of the region's geology, sandstone formations, wildlife, plants, trees and history goes well beyond what you will find in a guidebook -- or get from a group tour.
He knows which lookouts are worth the detour, which tracks reveal something the main tourist routes do not, and how to read the landscape in a way that makes the day feel like a genuine encounter with one of the great wild places near Sydney.
What You'll Experience
The places below can be included in your tour but not all of them!
Leura Village
A railway platform was erected in Leura in 1891 and most of the commercial buildings were built between 1900 to 1920. This is a pretty town that includes coffee shops, bookshop, restaurants, clothing shops and a chocolate and ice cream shop.
Echo Point
Direct views of the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary and Narrow Neck Plateau - the most famous vantage point in the Blue Mountains, and one that still earns its reputation. We prefer to visit it first thing as the area gets busier as the day goes by.
Boars Head and Cahills lookouts
These two lookouts are very close to each other and provide a great view of the Megalong Valley and Narrow Neck Plateau. Boars Head is a sandstone formation that looks like the head of pig.
Govetts Leap
Sweeping panoramas across the Grose Valley to Bridal Veil Falls, Mt Hay and further down the valley. A great place to start a bushwalk to Bridal Veil Falls or a gentler walk through the bush landscape to the Visitors Centre.
Wentworth Falls
Layered sandstone cliffs and a deep forested valley below. The falls are spectacular after rain and if you would like to walk to the falls it takes around 40 minutes return.
Scenic World
Scenic World allows visitors to access a pocket of rainforest at the bottom of the Jamison Valley, via a rapid descent railway.
There are a few walking platforms to choose from (10, 30 and 50 minutes), although we generally take a leisurely walk to the rainforest room and return via the cable car.
Once back to home base take the glass bottomed Skyway and enjoy more wonderful views of the valley, Katoomba Waterfall and the Three Sisters.
Anvil lookout and wind eroded cave
Two for the price of one! These two places can be accessed from the same car park. Anvil lookout provides a sweeping panorama in all directions and its high position allows you to look over blue gum forests to the other side of the valley, Mt Banks and Mt Hay.
Call the wind eroded cave an overhang or a cave it doesn’t matter. It is an impressive sight with iron rich veins and yellow honeycombed sandstone.
Mt Tomah
The Mt Tomah botanical gardens are a cool climate garden located off the Bells Line of Road. It is a beautiful place with many native and overseas plants. For a number of months Waratahs will be blooming whilst varied Proteas on display are exquisite.
Walk a little further down to the bottom of the garden and find a 90 year old Californian Redwood. Someone had foresight!
Hanging Rock
A sandstone overhang cantilevered above the Grose Valley, with a walk along the cliff edge that delivers extraordinary exposure and views. One of the most dramatic spots in the Blue Mountains and one that does not appear in most tour itineraries - it stays with people long after the day is done.
Dargan Arch
Dargan Arch was formed by the collapse of the roof of a wind eroded cave. The arch also acts as a natural sandstone bridge and can be walked across. If visiting in season you will see native wildflowers, including many Waratahs. Before leaving make sure you take in the nearby quirky ironstone formations.
Suggested itineraries
Sightseeing Day
See the best of the mountains without a demanding day.
Wentworth Falls, surrounded by steep sandstone cliffs and a densely forested valley floor. Lincoln Rock, with sweeping views across the Jamison Valley. A stop in Leura Village for coffee, chocolate or a browse. Scenic World -- the steep descent railway to the rainforest floor and cable car views across the Jamison Valley. Echo Point for the Three Sisters and Mt Solitary. Then the quieter lookouts most visitors miss: Boars Head and Cahill's across the Megalong Valley, and Evans and Anvil looking out over the Grose.
Bushwalking and Lookouts
For visitors who want to hike and get properly into the landscape.
The day takes in the major lookouts -- Wentworth Falls, Echo Point and Govetts Leap -- with a short stop in Leura Village along the way. The centrepiece is a bushwalk tailored to your fitness and how much time you want to spend on the trail: 45 minutes, one-two hours or three and a half to four hours. The longer walks pass through some remarkable country -- hanging swamps, massive sandstone cliffs and deep forested valleys. Greg talks through the landscape, native plants and wildlife as you go.
Past the Valleys
For guests who want something different.
Echo Point and Boars Head lookout in the morning for incredible valley views, then Govetts Leap for the sweep across the Grose Valley to Bridal Veil Falls and Mt Hay. The afternoon heads further into the mountains to the glow worm tunnel -- a historic railway tunnel where bioluminescent glow worms light the walls in the dark, a phenomenon found only in Australia and New Zealand. On the return journey, there’s a good chance of spotting wild kangaroos and wallabies in the bush.
Optional: Scenic World
The Scenic Railway, Skyway and Cableway at Katoomba offer a different perspective on the Jamison Valley -- you get to see and walk through a rainforest with many types of native trees.
Sometimes we come across a lyre bird. The railway taking visitors to the valley floor is the world's steepest incline railway. Scenic World is not included in the tour price but can be arranged on the day if it interests you.
If you do not wish to visit Scenic World, we use that time to explore quieter lookouts, walking tracks and sandstone formations within the mountains. There is no shortage of things to do and see in the Blue Mountains.
- Private pick-up and drop-off
- Freshly prepared picnic lunch
- Snacks and bottled water
- Professional photos shared after the tour
- Pre-tour consultation to shape the day
- Greg as your private guide
- Scenic World entry — optional, get in touch and we can book tickets for you
