I regularly get questions from you asking if it’s possible to self guide a trip to the Blue Mountains or if you need to book a tour to see them.

When I wrote this post, I hadn’t done a tour of the Blue Mountains; both of my experiences had been self-guided (read about the first time I went to the Blue Mountains lookout here). Jumping on a tour with the WMGT family was amazing, but it is absolutely possible to self guide yourself to and around the Blue Mountains. In fact, doing so is a pretty cheap adventure option if you’re on a budget.

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Let’s face it, tours can be expensive and a lot of the time, unnecessarily so.

The adventure I went on yesterday and am sharing in this blog post had me spend $12 AUD plus the packed lunch I took from home and a coffee en route. BARGAIN, right?

Taking a trip to the Blue Mountains simply requires a little homework (as it’s a HUGE place and you can’t just wing it) plus an attitude ready for adventure.

The adventure mode is yours to turn on, and as for the research – I’ve got you!

Here’s what we got up to and how you can replicate our Blue Mountains adventure…

A day in the Blue Mountains: Wentworth Falls and Empress Falls

Getting to the Blue Mountains from central Sydney…

You’ll be pleased to know that it couldn’t be more straight forward. Get yourself to Central Station and hop on the 1hour 50 minute train straight through to Wentworth Falls.

Trains depart every half an hour and your ticket will have you a space on the double decker, air conditioned train. There are also toilets. There’s no WiFi (although this might have changed since I last went – let me know!) but you can look out the window and enjoy the transition from city to vast amounts of green.

It’s only $5.95 each way! Bargain!

Top tip: Download Citymapper to source the train times and best route for you.

If you’re looking for more money-saving tips for your trip to Australia, check out my budgeting guide here!

What to pack:

• Lots of water!
• Camera
• Trainers (the hike doesn’t require you to have walking boots but of course, the more support the better, should you have them)
• Snacks
• Packed lunch to enjoy at the waterfall

Our route…

We took the train at 8.20AM from Central Station, arrived in The Blue Mountains at 10am and caught the 4pm train back, so our day exploring and enjoying the national park was 6 hours long.

How to find the trail when you arrive at Wentworth Falls train station:

When you exit the station turn left towards the traffic lights, at which point you need to take a right and continue on following the (obvious) signs to Wentworth Falls. This route, I believe, is called Darwin’s walk.

You’ll walk down a very wide road which looks like you have got yourself lost in a residential housing area, but continue on ahead until you are met with signs to the Wentworth Falls car park and picnic area.

From here we chose to take the Wentworth Falls Lookout Track to check out the falls.

You can dip your toes in here and even continue part way down the National Pass for pretty unrivaled views over the falls.

If you don’t fancy too much cardio, don’t head too far down. The hike back up will completely sap you of your energy! (We didn’t do it, just saw lots of red faced puffed out hikers passing us! Haha)

Continuing our day, we retraced our steps nearly back up towards Jamison Lookout, but when met with the Eagles Nest Fletchers Lookout Walking Trail we took this one instead.

We enjoyed the flat trail that wraps underneath and around the cliff face until it merged with the National Pass Walking Track and then the Overcliff track. Keep going until you spot the Empress Falls sign, at which point you’ll hear people splashing into the water.

If you’re visiting on any day like we did, the sound of water will have you descending down the Valley of the Waters track to the falls without a second’s hesitation.

The perfect spot to enjoy your packed lunch and take a swim!

To finish your hike, ascend back up the stairs (hardest part), turn left when faced with a junction and follow signs up to the conservation hut/car park via the Valley of the Waters track.

Enjoy some food and a glass of wine here at the Conservation Hut with glorious views over The Blue Mountains to finish your adventure!

The walk back to the station follows the road you’re faced with on the right as you walk away from the cafe. A mere 2- minute walk and you are back at Wentworth alls station ready to hop back on the train to Sydney!

If you’d prefer to do a Blue Mountains guided tour, my good friend Sammy owns RatPack Travel (a discounted booking platform for Australia and New Zealand Travels). They can help you out when it comes to finding the perfect Blue Mountains trip for you. Let them know your travel dates and they will find you the best deal.

Click here to send RatPack a WhatsApp message (+61 490 149 348) and to get the ball rolling.

Looking for more active adventures in and around Sydney? Check out these six walks you must do! 

Have you been to the Blue Mountains?

What were your favourite spots? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Mollie.