Escape to the Blue Mountains

Just a couple of hours from the city lie the Blue Mountains, a stunning World Heritage region of dramatic sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests (whose haze gives the mountains their blue tint), and sweeping valley views. The highlight is the Three Sisters rock formation at Katoomba, with excellent free lookouts and a network of bushwalking trails. The brilliant budget secret is that you can reach it cheaply by train from Sydney and explore the lookouts and trails for free, rather than paying for a tour. It's the perfect natural day trip. We'll explain how to get there by train affordably and the best free walks and viewpoints.