The most stunning scenic lookouts in the Blue Mountains
Olympian Rock Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park
Destination NSW
Get your camera ready for the most iconic view in the Blue Mountains. Echo Point Lookout faces the Three Sisters, a craggy rock formation with three peaks that holds an important place in Aboriginal Dreamtime legends. Beyond, the view stretches over the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary. If you prefer to admire the view with a drink in hand, grab an outdoor table at The Lookout cafe nearby.
Marvel at the majestic Wentworth Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, that tumbles 100 metres over a cliff into the Jamison Valley below. Time your visit for after it’s been raining to witness the falls at full force. There’s a pretty picnic area just behind the lookout and a number of popular walks start nearby.
Standing on the edge of the Govetts Leap Lookout, you’ll take in vistas of the wild Grose Valley and Bridal Veil Falls, plunging 180 metres over a cliff. It’s also famous for its birdlife, so bring binoculars to spot king parrots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. If you’re an early riser, Govetts Leap is one of the most spectacular places in the Blue Mountains to watch the sunrise.
Take in two dramatically different Blue Mountains landscapes from this lookout, which sits atop the rugged Narrow Neck Peninsula. On one side is the wild Jamison Valley and on the other is the lush farmland of the Megalong Valley. You can travel out further along the peninsula on foot or by mountain bike where even more dramatic views await you at the narrowest point.
One of the more secluded lookouts in the Blue Mountains, Cahill’s offers a different perspective on the Blue Mountains. Set at the western edge of Katoomba, it overlooks the Megalong Valley, Boars Head Rock and Narrow Neck Peninsula. It’s also spectacular at sunset. The lookout is a 500-metre walk from the carpark along a paved path with multiple viewing platforms to choose from.
The path to Olympian Rock is almost as stunning as the lookout, travelling down sandstone steps and across a metal bridge before reaching the point. Admire the views over the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary, which sits directly across from the lookout. Some days, the clouds will settle in the valley below and make you feel as though you are standing in the heavens.
This large, flat sandstone outcrop has incredible views over the Jamison Valley. The panorama changes throughout the day with the movement of the sun, so you’ll never see the same view twice. The lookout is named for the late Lincoln Hall, an Australian mountaineer who lived in Wentworth Falls. Be aware that the lookout is unfenced and you should stay well away from the edge.
Close to Blackheath, this easily accessible lookout faces out over the Grose Valley. Once you’ve finished admiring the stellar views, you can follow the Clifftop Walk to Govetts Leap or tackle the Grand Canyon Track, a challenging 6.3-kilometre loop. Visit at sunset to watch the sandstone cliffs seem to glow from within as they bask in the golden rays.
See where the Blue Mountains begins from Portal Lookout, perched on the eastern edge of the national park. With views across Glenbrook Gorge and the Nepean River, this is a side of the mountains that many people never see. For something more adventurous, the cliffs below are a popular spot for abseiling or cool off with a swim at Jellybean Pool, a 15-minute walk away.
Sublime by name, sublime by nature. At this dramatic lookout close to Leura, you’ll feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world. It’s an easy walk through casuarinas filled with cockatoos and over a deep ravine to reach the viewing platform. Gaze out across the Jamison Valley and look for Mount Solitary rising from the clouds. Take a peek at the cliffs below the lookout as well – it’s a popular rock climbing spot.
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