Katoomba is the largest and best-known town in the Blue Mountains region of the Australian state of New South Wales. Katoomba is located 106 km (66 miles) to the west of Sydney and lies 1,017 m (3,337 ft) above sea level.

Understand

Katoomba developed as a popular mountain resort town in the early part of the 20th century, a process aided by the advent of regular train services along the current line. The town reached an early heyday in the period between the wars, attested to today by the numerous examples of art deco architecture and shop fronts along the main street of the town.

Get in

By car

Katoomba is located just off the Great Western Highway between Sydney and Bathurst.

By train

Frequent direct Cityrail [1] services run from Sydney and its western suburbs. From Sydney Central the cost of the adult train fare is $11.40 single peak, $14 off-peak day return and the one way trip time is about two hours. The train gets you to the centre of Katoomba.

Get around

From the train station you can take a hop on/hop off bus or trolley/tram around the sights for between $12 and $27 depending on which company you choose to go with.

See

• Echo Point lookout has spectacular views of the Three Sisters
• The Edge IMAX Cinema [2], 225 Great Western Highway, tel 02 4782 8900. The Edge shows a widescreen movie about the Blue Mountains. This is an amazing show, about the stunning scenery and the rainforest, filmed from an "adventure sports" and "conservation" viewpoint.. and not at all tacky or "touristy".

Do

• Scenic Skyway/Scenic Railway/Sceniscender. These give you scenic views, but tend to be very crowded.
• Bushwalking in the valleys, including longer walks to the Ruined Castle (an eroded mountain) and Mt Solitary. Watch out for large, noisy lyrebirds scratching up food on the ground.

Eat

• Avalon, 8 Katoomba St, 02 4782 5532. W-Su. A stylish restaurant in the dress circle of the old Savoy theatre with beautiful views down the valley. It is moderately expensive, but they have generous servings and huge desserts. Friendly yet unobtrusive staff and a classy atmosphere. Mains cost up to $25.
• Cafe Zuppa, 36 Katoomba St, 02 4782 9247. Daily 7am-11pm. Zuppa has an art deco interior, friendly staff, good food in generous portions at affordable prices.
• Isobar Cafe, 40 Katoomba Street, 02 4782 4063. Has nice food and drinks, friendly staff and a good atmosphere.
• The Paragon, 65 Katoomba St, 02 4782 2928 (fax 02 4782 4744). Lovely food and friendly staff.
• "Mes Amis", Corner of Lurline & Waratah Sts, 02 4782 1558. Has first class food and service, great wine list and wonderful ambience.

Drink

• The Clarendon Guesthouse, 68 Lurline St, [3]. Has a licensed entertainment restaurant which features live music, comedy and theatre.

Sleep

• Blue Mountains YHA, 207 Katoomba St, 02 4782 1416 (bluemountains@yhansw.org.au, fax 02 4782 6203), [4]. Reception open 7 am to 10 pm.
• The 3 Explorers Motel, 197 Lurline Street, 02 4782 1733 or 1300 721 733 (reservations) (fax 02 4782 1146), [5]. All rooms in this small motel have queen sized beds, private bathrooms, and televisions. There are also a small number of "spa suites" with two or three private rooms and a two person spa. Rates for two people per night are $96 Sunday night to Thursday night, $106 Friday night and $136 Saturday night for a double room; and $155 Sunday night to Thursday night, $175 Friday night and $205 Saturday night for a spa suite. Call the reservations number for special deals if staying both Friday and Saturday nights.
• No. 14 Budget Accommodation, 14 Lovel Street, 02 4782 7104. A relaxed, homely hostel approx 10 minutes walk into the town center with polished floors, cosy fires, clean and tidy, with a leafy veranda with valley views. It is run by a couple, experienced backpackers themselves, who have travelled the world - they are friendly and will provide you with lots of information should you require it. There are mostly twin and double rooms, plus some dorms, all are centrally heated for those chilly mountain nights! $56 for doubles, $18 for dorms.