Blue Mountains Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Scenic World Pass
- Duration1 day (valid from first use; allow a full day)
- Open onDaily; buses leave Katoomba from 9:15 am (first loop stops 1–6 only), then hourly from 9:45 am to 4:45 pm
- Meeting pointHop-on hop-off bus booking office at the top of the railway station steps in Katoomba; show your booking confirmation there to collect your pass
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Overview
This one-day pass combines a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus around Katoomba with unlimited access to Scenic World, the Blue Mountains’ best-known attraction. Ride the bus between lookouts, villages and walking trails with live commentary from the guides, and spend as long as you like on the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world, the glass-floored Scenic Skyway, the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Walkway through ancient rainforest. A guide book with maps and walking guides helps you plan the day. It suits independent travellers, couples and families who want to see the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley at their own pace. Collect your pass at the bus booking office at Katoomba railway station; transport to Katoomba is not included.
Highlights
- Full-day hop-on hop-off bus pass around Katoomba with live commentary
- Unlimited rides on the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world
- The glass-floored Scenic Skyway high above the Jamison Valley, with views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls
- The Scenic Cableway gliding between the clifftop and the valley floor
- The Scenic Walkway boardwalk through ancient temperate rainforest
- Guide book with maps and walking guides for the lookouts and trails
- Separate entrance at Scenic World and wheelchair-accessible bus
Full Description
Katoomba and the hop-on hop-off bus loop
Katoomba is the largest town in the Blue Mountains, perched on a ridge at around 1,000 metres above sea level and reached from Sydney in about two hours by train or car. Its art deco streets, cafes and lookouts make it the natural base for exploring the mountains, and the railway station is where your day begins.
The hop-on hop-off bus runs a loop through Katoomba and neighbouring areas, linking the main lookouts, the village of Leura, waterfalls, bushwalking tracks and Scenic World, with live commentary from the guides along the way. Buses leave Katoomba hourly from 9:45 am to 4:45 pm, with an early 9:15 am departure serving the first six stops; starting on that first bus is the best way to fit everything into one day.
Echo Point and the Three Sisters
Echo Point is the most famous lookout in the Blue Mountains, with a broad viewing platform over the Jamison Valley and a direct view of the Three Sisters, three weathered sandstone pillars standing side by side on the edge of the escarpment. They are best seen in the morning light or at sunset, when the cliffs turn gold and the forest below takes on its famous blue haze.
The haze comes from fine droplets of oil released by the eucalyptus trees, which scatter blue light and give the mountains their name. From Echo Point, short walking tracks lead closer to the Three Sisters and along the cliff edge. It is a natural first stop on the bus loop and one of the best places for photographs in the whole Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Scenic World: Railway and Walkway
Scenic World sits on the cliff edge at Katoomba and has welcomed visitors for generations. Its Scenic Railway began life as a mining railway in the late nineteenth century, carrying coal and shale up from the valley; today its open carriages drop into the Jamison Valley through a rock tunnel on an incline of 52 degrees, making it the steepest passenger railway in the world.
At the bottom you join the Scenic Walkway, the longest elevated boardwalk in Australia, which winds for about 2.4 kilometres through cool, ancient rainforest of tree ferns, coachwood and towering eucalyptus. Interpretive signs tell the story of the old mine and the forest, and you can choose short or longer loops. Allow at least an hour for the railway and walkway together.
Scenic World: Skyway and Cableway
The Scenic Cableway is the largest and steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere, carrying you between the valley floor and the clifftop with wide views of the forest, the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary. It is an easy way to return to the top after the walkway, or to descend if you prefer to save the railway for the climb back.
The Scenic Skyway crosses the gorge high above Katoomba Falls, with views across the valley to the Three Sisters and an electric glass floor that clears as you travel, leaving you seemingly suspended in the air. With an unlimited pass you can ride everything as often as you like. Many visitors ask whether Scenic World is worth visiting: combined with the bus loop, it is the easiest way to see the best of the Blue Mountains in one day.
Itinerary
- Collect your pass in KatoombaShow your booking confirmation at the bus booking office at the top of the railway station steps and receive your pass and guide book.
- Hop-on hop-off bus loopBoard the bus (ideally the 9:15 am departure) and ride with live commentary between lookouts, villages and walking trails.
- Echo Point and the Three SistersHop off for the classic view over the Jamison Valley and short walks along the cliff edge, about 45 minutes.
- Scenic WorldUse your unlimited pass for the Scenic Railway, Walkway, Cableway and Skyway; allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Explore furtherContinue on the bus to other lookouts, waterfalls and the village of Leura, hopping off wherever you like.
- Return to KatoombaRide the bus back to Katoomba station to finish your day; the last departure from Katoomba is at 4:45 pm.
What's included
- Full-day hop-on hop-off bus pass
- Live commentary from the guides on board
- Scenic World entry
- Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway and Scenic Cableway rides
- Scenic Walkway through the rainforest
- Guide book with maps and walking guides
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Transport to Katoomba
Is this right for you?
Great for
- First-time visitors who want the highlights
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.6/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 1 days
Meeting point
Present your booking confirmation at the hop-on hop-off bus booking office at the top of the railway station steps in Katoomba to collect your pass. From there you board the bus and use the same pass at Scenic World, where a separate entrance speeds up access. Transport to Katoomba is not included; trains from Sydney arrive right at the station.
Important information
- The pass is valid for one day from first use; start early to make the most of it
- Buses leave Katoomba at 9:15 am (stops 1 to 6 only), then hourly from 9:45 am to 4:45 pm
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring layers: the mountains are cooler than Sydney
- Bring water, sunscreen and a rain jacket; food and drinks are not included
- Pets and smoking are not allowed
- The bus is wheelchair accessible; contact us before booking to plan accessible parts of Scenic World
- Children aged 3 to 15 travel at the child rate; infants under 3 do not need a pass
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared self-guided pass: you ride the public hop-on hop-off bus and use the Scenic World attractions with other visitors, at your own pace.
How long does it take?
The pass is valid for one full day. Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Scenic World and the rest of the day riding the bus to lookouts and villages.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You collect your pass at the bus booking office at Katoomba railway station, and the bus then takes you around the area.
What is included?
A full-day hop-on hop-off bus pass with live commentary, unlimited Scenic World access to the Scenic Railway, Skyway, Walkway and Cableway, and a guide book with maps and walking guides.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a separate child rate. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each traveller type.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
Yes, it is great for families; children from 3 to 15 pay the child rate and infants are free. The bus is wheelchair accessible, and Scenic World can advise on accessible routes.
How do I get to Katoomba from Sydney?
Trains run from Sydney Central Station to Katoomba in about two hours, arriving right next to the bus booking office. You can also drive in around 90 minutes to two hours.
Can I see the Three Sisters with this pass?
Yes. The bus stops at the main lookouts, including Echo Point for the Three Sisters, and the Scenic Skyway and Cableway also give excellent views of them.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a warm layer, water, sunscreen and a rain jacket. A camera is a must for the lookouts.
What is the best time to visit the Blue Mountains?
Spring and autumn bring mild weather and clear views; summer is warm and busy, and winter is crisp and quieter. Mornings are often clearest, so take the first bus.
What happens in bad weather?
The bus and Scenic World operate in most weather, and the rainforest is beautiful in light rain. Mist can hide the views at times, so it helps to stay flexible with your lookout stops.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and travellers in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends you the voucher to show in Katoomba.
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