Info Blue Mountains Railway Pages
Katoomba
3 Sisters, Blue Mountains, Australia.
1017m 3336ft
1:56min from Sydney, 1:34 from Parramatta
Originally "The Crushers"

Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia

Ballast Pit to Tourist Capital

Ballast Pit

Katoomba started out in the 1860's as the site of a quarry and rock-crushing plant, used to produce railway ballast, & hence became known as The Crushers. At around the same time, the Glen Shale Mine commenced below Narrow Neck. The opening of additional shale & coal mines led to the development of a network of mining tramlines, a small portion of which remains as the Katoomba Scenic Railway.

Tourist Capital

The Katoomba - Leura region has since developed into the tourist capital of the Blue Mountains, offering spectacular views over the rugged wilderness of the southern Blue Mountains National Park, and a variety of galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and accommodation ranging from backpackers hostels to luxury resorts.

Circuit buses connect the railway station with many attractions; including the tourist information centre at Echo Point from where you can view the Three Sisters and access the Giant Stairway.

Getting off the road, the area has much to offer bushwalkers, rock climbers & mountain bike riders, including the opportunity to end some walks at the base of the Scenic Railway, a welcome relief for tired legs!

Blue Mountains Guides - bushwalking tours
Explorer Bus - Railway Stn Stop 1
 
The Cecil - traditional Blue Mountains guesthouse - Katoomba
 

Weather 

Hotel Guide
Accommodation
Bushwalking  
Cycling
Rock Climbing


Check the Brakes!

Downhill (up) steam trains had 15 minutes at Katoomba for handbrake attention & general brake examination, before the 32km (20 ml) of 1 in 33 ruling grade down to Springwood. All goods trains were required to have 85p.s.i. in their brake pipes before departure, with 100p.s.i. being maintained for the run. Handbrakes were set on all cars.

 

 

Three Sisters at Sunset, Katoomba, Blue Mountains The Three Sisters, with Kanimbla Valley and Kings Tableland in the background.
Photographed at sunset.

Photo: © Paul Chantler, Shambala Cards Ph. (02) 4782-6004

MTB's on Narrow Neck, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Mountain bike riders on Narrow Neck
Upper portion of Katoomba Falls Katoomba Falls, Blue Mountains

 

 

Echo Point, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Tourists at Echo Point.
Stop here for tourist information centre, views of the Three Sisters, Giant Stairway & Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Photo © David Martin

Looking over Katoomba to the
Jamison Valley Mt Solitary.
Photo © David Martin
Katoomba, Blue Mountains

 

Take a ride over the Mountains
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Copyright 1997-2003, David Martin,  except where other copyright applies.
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Established 1996 - originally "Blue Mountains Plaza".

Blue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney, NSW, Australia  

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