Located in the centre of Katoomba the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre contains the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery and Into the Blue which is an interactive exhibition that explores the history and natural landscape of the Blue Mountains. Also housed in the building, is the Katoomba Library.
Into the Blue
Into the Blue is an interactive exhibition which explains the history of the Blue Mountains. Not only does it detail indigenous and European history, but it explains the geological history of the area. This details how the mountains formed and how weather and rivers have sculpted the landscape to become what it is today.
Native animals and plants are described along with the impact development has had on their populations. The importance of the World Heritage listing is explained along with how this is protecting this beautiful and unique environment.
Blue Mountains City Art Gallery
Vicky Brown
This was a fun and interesting exhibit, as most of the parts were moving. Those suspended from the roof were free to move, while on the floor, mobile pieces built on robot vacuum cleaners knocked into them. We found this exhibition to be happily different and well presented.
Adrienne Richards
The works by Adrienne Richards was a more traditional exhibit, with some lovely ceramics and drawings. A series of ceramic plates were on one wall, with paintings of invertebrates were in glass cases.
Katoomba Cultural Centre
Located outside the art gallery, a viewing platform gives views over Katoomba and the Jamison Valley. The gallery has placed a sculpture here.
Work/Play by Vicky BrowneWork/Play by Vicky BrowneCeramic Plates by Adrienne RichardsCeramic Plate by Adrienne RichardsInvertebrate By Adrienne RichardsThe Way We Live Now by Adrienne RichardsSculpture Outside the GalleryKatoomba Cultural Centre
An unexpected find while walking through Katoomba were three areas of street art. If you’re looking for something else to do in the Blue Mountains besides admiring the views or bushwalking, this is a great option.
Beverly Place
The first, located in Beverly Place, is by far the largest, with pieces ranging for a few metres to full side-of-building size. We parked in Waratah Street and walked around the area. Most of the art work is located at the rear of businesses. In this area the businesses park their trucks and cars so there is traffic coming and going all the time. Also be aware that the paintings are on private property, but still freely accessible to admire.
Froma Lane
Running off Katoomba Street, Froma Lane is a pedestrian walk way full of street art. We found this one walking back to our car after dinner at one of the restaurants in the main street.
Waratah Street
Located opposite the entrance to Beverly Place, we found these paintings when we parked our car.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
One of the best walks to take in the views of the Blue Mountains, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is accessible at several points and can be undertaken in stages. This is great because at 7kms one-way, it may be seen as a little too long. During our visit several sections were closed because of severe storms over previous months. Fortunately, most of the lookouts were accessible, so we could still see the amazing views of the Blue Mountains.
Running from Katoomba to Leura, the walk passes Katoomba Falls, Echo Point and the Three Sisters as well as the Leura Cascades. Additionally, there are over 20 lookouts along the way, each providing outstanding views of the Jamison Valley.
Parking
Parking is available at Katoomba Cascades, Echo Point lookout, or Gordon Falls near Leura. However, during busy times it is difficult to find a park with most streets also being paid parking. We chose to start early in the morning for the first part of the walk, so parking at Katoomba Cascades was available.
We accessed the second section from Cliff Drive to Leura Cascades near Kiah Lookout, which was only a short walk from our accommodation.
During our visit, the section from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls was closed for repairs.
Katoomba Cascades
This section also forms part of the Night Walk, with the pathway lit and floodlights illuminating sites along the way. We chose to walk it during the day, because we wanted to see the larger views over the valley.
Located only a short walk from the carpark, the Cascades were flowing well after recent rain. The well-maintained steps down to the base of the cascade make this an easy walk. At the bottom, you are able to walk close to the falls, there are also several places to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.
The cascades are very easy to get to because of the well maintained track as long as you can walk up and down the initial steps. The Blue Mountains had lots of rain, prior to us visiting, which made the walk and waterfalls a great experience.
Katoomba Falls
From the cascades, the path leads to a series of lookouts, for spectacular views over the valley. One of the best is the view of Katoomba Falls. Created from the flow of the Kedumba River, it flows over the escarpment, this is the same river that creates the Cascades. Several of the lookouts give different perspectives of the falls.
At one point, the Scenic World Skyway Cale Car made its trip across the valley, which was interesting to see. This is another great way to get a view of the falls. The cable car runs from Scenic World across the gorge, where passengers can disembark and walk to Echo Point (currently closed in 2022).
The path from the cascades is relatively flat, making the walk to Katoomba Falls lookout not too difficult. There are plenty of places to rest and admire the views along the way, so there is no need to be too energetic. The view of the falls is amazing, which makes the short walk worth the effort.
The Katoomba CascadesKedumba River just before it goes over the escarpmentTree Fern on the WalkA gum tree on the walkKatoomba FallsKatoomba FallsOrphan RockThe Skyway Cable CarView over the Blue MountainsThe EscarpmentThe Blue Mountains
Leura Cascades on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk
We chose to walk to the Leura Cascades from our accommodation because it was so close. Access to the Prince Henry Walking Track from Kiah Lookout was only a five-minute walk away. However parking is limited, so if you wish to drive it might be better to start at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area.
The upper section of the track was easy to walk, with a well-maintained track and a gentle downward grade, however as the track became steeper, the track deteriorated, becoming narrower and damaged by water run-off. There are also a large number of steps, as you descend towards the falls, which all have to be climbed again when returning. We took our time and enjoyed the many great views from the lookouts along the way.
Keep a lookout for native wildlife as you walk. We saw a lyre bird but were not quick enough to take a photo.
This section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk was great fun, taking us around 40 minutes return despite all the steps. This included time for photos, admiring the views and a side track to Copelands Lookout.
Eroded Rocks on the WalkUpper Section of the TrackWell Maintained Section Descending to the CascadesOne of the Steep Muddy SectionsStepping Stones on the TrackOne of the Great ViewsRainbow Over the Escarpment From Copeland LookoutGreat View Over the ValleyGreat View Over the ValleyLeura Falls CreekSmall Section of the Leura CascadesBridal Veil Falls
