The Blue Mountains are just west of Sydney. There are various towns, attractions, and other sites of interest in the mountains, which is a national park, but the largest town is Katoomba. This is about 60 miles (100 kms) from central Sydney, and is easy to get to.
By Private Tour
Duration: 1 day
If you don't have time to stay in the Blue Mountains, it's easy to get a day tour from Sydney. Many different options are available to suit different needs and interests. For example, some tours focus on hiking, while others more on culinary or artistic attractions, or general sightseeing to the Three Sisters and the various waterfalls.
By Car
Duration: 1.5 hours to Katoomba
If you're driving around Australia or just want to rent a car for a trip to the Blue Mountains, it's easy to reach from the city. The quickest option heads west from the central city, first along the M4 and then the Great Western Highway. The trip passes through the Western Sydney suburbs of Parramatta and Penrith, before becoming more hilly and rural after you cross the Nepean River. The Kanangra-Boyd National Park lies to the south of Katoomba, while the Blue Mountains National Park is to the north.
By Train
Duration: 2 hours to Katoomba
Travelers who don't want to drive themselves can take a regular train all the way to Katoomba. Trains leave Central Station in Sydney every half hour or hour, depending on the time of day, and take two hours to reach Katoomba. Tickets are very affordable, even more so on Sundays when they are discounted. These aren't luxurious services put on for travelers as some longer-distance trains in Australia are, but they're still comfortable enough for a two-hour journey.
By Bus
Duration: 3 hours to Katoomba
Direct buses also run between Sydney and Katoomba. This tends to be a slower mode of transport than taking the train, so if you want to go by public transport, the train is preferable.