Blue Mountains 4 Day Walking Tour

Walk the highlights of the Blue Mountains! Picturesque, unique walks through the Ruined Castle, the Grand Canyon as well Echo Point (Three Sisters). $1,520pp ex Sydney CBD – 4 Days, moderate/challenging terrain, 40km (single supp $250

This 4 day active walking tour of the Blue Mountains is jam packed with the highlights of the region!  While we do sneak in a few tourist attractions of the Blue Mountains, like the famous Three Sisters Lookout, this tour is predominately about exploring one of Australia’s most iconic walking destinations.   

The Blue Mountains boasts a walkers dream of ancient, thick forests, sheer cliffs, cool deep valleys, impressive canyons with hanging gardens and lookouts presenting rolling ranges as far as the eye can see. During your 4 day tour you will leave the tourist scene behind and complete come unique and picturesque walks including the Ruined Castle and the cool, fern lined depths of the Blue Mountains very own Grand Canyon. 

While there is a lot of walking in and out of steep gullies, the tour is easily achievable to those with a moderate level of fitness. Carrying only a day pack, the walks are generally short and the trails well maintained. As a guided walking tour you will also have the assistance and knowledge of guides to help you through any challenging sections.  

This is a fully catered and lodge accommodated walking tour. Each night your group will return to the centrally located Echo Point Village (you can literally lookout over the Three Sisters from the cosy living room) and a delicious home-cooked meal.

Escape to the Blue Mountains and see why it is one of Australia’s most iconic walking destinations!

Blue Moutains 4 day walking tour at a glance:

  • You’ll visit the highlights of the region like Echo Point Lookout (Three Sisters) as well as some challenging and unique walks like the Grand Canyon.
  • Walk 8 km on Day One, 14km on Day Two, 12 km on Day Three and 6 km on Day Four.
  • All meals and snacks are provided
  • Twin share or double rooms (single supplement is available)
  • All transport is included (depart from Circular Quay, Sydney CBD)
  • 2 knowledgable and fun Inspiration Outdoors guides
  • $1,520pp twin share, or $1,770 for a single room.

Tour Length:
4 Days
Distance walked:
6 – 14 kms
Difficulty:
Moderate/Challenging; See FAQ
Dates:
15 – 18. Aug 2019
21 – 24. Aug 2019
See the PDF file for printing
Ask us a question

Highlights of this walk

Escape the tourist scene and complete some of the Blue Mountains most spectacular and unique walks over 4 days. Enjoy hiking into deep cool, fern-lined gullies and gazing upon rolling valleys as far as the eye can see.  

Walking Tour Itinerary

All walks are between 6 and 14 kilometres and some walks include some steep descents and ascents. A moderate level of fitness is required and some training before your holiday will make the experience all the more enjoyable. A guide will accompany you each day.
Day 1 - Drive from Sydney CBD to Katoomba, Echo Point Lookout of Three sisters, walk Katoomba Cascades – Gordon Falls

Day 1 – Drive from Sydney CBD to Katoomba, Echo Point Lookout of Three sisters, walk Katoomba Cascades – Gordon Falls

8 km

We depart Sydney CBD at 8am, heading for the beautiful Blue Mountains. Enjoy a delicious morning tea at Wentworth Falls while getting to know your walking companions after which we enjoy a walk around the falls.

After a short drive to Katoomba we walk from Katoomba Cascades, past famous the Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters) for a lovely picnic lunch, and finish with a 5km stretch along Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Leura. The walking today is relatively easy, whilst taking in some of the highlights of the area. The cliff walk offers great views to Mount Solitary and valleys.

Note, as we walk in the morning and the afternoon, please wear your hiking clothes on the bus and bring your day pack ready to go.

Day 2 - Ruined Castle

Day 2 – Ruined Castle

14 km

After a short drive the walk starts off at Scenic World Katoomba, where we quickly leave the tourist scene behind. Descending down Furber Stairs, we get close to the impressive cliffs and waterfalls, and into lush wet sclerophyll forest.

After the descent, the trail skirts the base of the cliffs; there is a bit of rock to negotiate, but generally a comfortable walk, with changing vegetation and forest types. We enjoy morning tea on the trail and lunch at the ruined castle, with sensational views to Mount Solitary and across the Jamison valley. We return via the same trail for a short while after lunch before ascending out of the valley on a different set of stairs; for a change of scenery and it just so happens to be a shorter ascent. Bonus!

Day 3 - Pulpitt Rock to Grand Canyon

Day 3 – Pulpitt Rock to Grand Canyon

12 km

These two walks together create the ultimate Blue Mountains end-to-end walk. Starting at Pulpitt Rock and it’s amazing lookout platforms, the track heads along the tops of cliffs looking over Grose Valley, enjoying a series of lookouts and small grottos until we reach Evan’s Lookout.  Govett’s Leap is a great location for a delicious morning tea along the way. From there your group will head down into the remarkable Grand Canyon. A wonderful world of hanging gardens, rocky creeks and fern-lined gullies. It really is one of the best walks in Australia, and the recently refurbished trail has improved the underfoot conditions. Still a bit of rock hopping in the valley but quite a doable and outstanding trail.

After the sensational canyon walking we have to ascend out of there! Finishing at the closest Grand Canyon car park with the bus waiting to take you back to a warm shower and a hearty meal at your accommodation in Katoomba. This day offers some of the best walking in Australia

Day 4 -Pierce’s Pass – Grose Valley

Day 4 -Pierce’s Pass – Grose Valley

6 km

After a scenic drive to Pierces Pass we head to a very quiet part of the Blue Mountains, Grose River Valley. The walk starts off with tree ferns and cliffs, and an easy descent into beautiful eucalypt forest. The descent to the river gets a bit steeper – which means the descent also can be challenging – but the views of the peaceful valley are worth it.

At the river there are some spots for us to enjoy and soak up the stunning scenery before the ascent, and a return to the city beckons. The drive to Sydney is about 2.5 hours from Blackheath.

Details about accommodation, what to bring, transportation, food, etc.
Details about accommodation, what to bring, transportation, food, etc. See the PDF file for printing

Accommodation

We stay the length of the tour at Echo Point Village, Katoomba. It is in a stunning location, directly opposite Echo Point Lookout. The living room of the main house, where we come together for meals actually looks out over the Three Sisters. What a site to behold every morning and evening! Echo Point Village has a number of 3 bedroom and 2 bedroom houses/villas and we take as many as we need to accommodate the group. The ‘Blue House’ which overlooks the Three Sisters will be set up as “the main house” where we share meals.

What to bring

  • Day-pack one with a waist strap is best to help distribute the weight from your shoulders. A waterproof cover or a bin bag to wrap your belongings in is a good idea too.
  • Shorts/long pants and shirts for walking as many sets as you wish!
  • Socks whichever thickness you’re comfortable walking in and as many pairs as you like.
  • Boots/shoes for walking (make sure you wear them in well)
  • Windcheater, fleece jacket, gloves, beanie and/or thermals (can get quite cold in the evenings and early mornings)
  • Waterproof jacket and (possibly) pants*
  • Sun hat preferably wide brimmed with chin strap
  • Sun glasses the holders made of wetsuit-type material are excellent to attach to your glasses so you don’t lose them
  • Torch/headlamp (can be handy when twin sharing for getting up at night and for going back to your cabins after dinner)
  • Any preferred first aid supplies such as your favourite blister treatment! (Your guide will carry a full first-aid kit)
  • Water bottle/s 2 litre capacity
  • A lunch container (with freezer brick if desired)
  • Casual clothes for the evenings

Optional items

  • Additional snacks
  • Camera and charger
  • Gaiters for snake bite protection are recommended unless you are wearing long pants and long socks
  • Walking poles

*You have to expect some bad weather at any time of the year in the Blue Mountains so bring wet weather gear even if the forecast is fine.

Food

All meals are provided. Breakfast will comprise of cereal, fruit, yoghurt and toast. Lunch will be self-made from supplied breads, salads and meats. Dinner will be a two course home-prepared meal. Please let us know of any dietary requirements. Assistance is appreciated with clearing away and washing up. Each day your guide will carry tea, coffee and home-made cakes or biscuits for your morning tea. Fruit is also available. If you need additional snacks e.g. muesli bars, chocolate etc you will need to supply those. Each evening we offer pre dinner nibbles. There will be time for you to purchase your own alcohol and supplies during the tour.

Transport

Transport is via an air conditioned 12-15 seat mini bus. The bus will pick you up and drop you off from the Sydney CBD and to and from the track and various attractions each day. As the transport from Sydney is provided at no additional charge, discounts cannot be offered if walkers choose to find their own way to Katoomba.

This walk includes

icon-meals
All meals, including morning tea and snacks

We pride ourselves on providing you with fresh, wholesome food. Enjoy healthy breakfasts, delicious morning teas, fresh picnic and packed lunches, fruit and hearty two-course dinners each day.

All Transport Ex Sydney CBD

Watch the scenery glide by from the comfort of our air conditioned vehicle

Delicious two-course dinners each evening

Whether we use a local caterer or cook for you ourselves, our food promises a delicious and satisfying end to the day.

Emergency support

Wilderness first aid trained guides carry radios, satellite phones and a full first aid kit so you can walk without worry.

Lodge Accommodation in Katoomba

We’ll spend three nights together in the very comfortable and superbly located Echo Point Village which overlooks The Three Sisters lookout. Accommodation is twin share but single supplements are available – please enquire.

icon-tour-guide
Two fun and professional Inspiration Outdoors guides

We’ll feed you, tell you stories, help you achieve the walks safely and make sure everything goes to plan so that you don’t have to worry about a thing

About Walking Tours In General

How hard are the walks?

The difficulty of the walks ranges from tour to tour, from easy to challenging. We design all of our walking tours to be achievable for those with a moderate level of fitness. We do recommend doing some training before most tours, because physical activity is always more enjoyable if you are physically prepared. We will send you information about how to train when you book.

When on tour we find that a positive mental attitude is most important and that if you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, and not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. You can always have a day or sometimes an afternoon off to relax if you feel like it. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete a walk, give us a call on (08) 6219 5164 and we can talk you through it.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

Do I have to twin-share accommodation?

Our tour prices are based on rooms being twin share (two single beds in one room) or double (one double/queen bed in a room, shared by a couple). If you are travelling alone, we will give you a room with someone of the same sex. Sometimes, depending on the accommodation, it is possible to pay a single supplement to ensure that you have a room to yourself – please ask us if this option is available when you book.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

Will I hold up the group if I’m a slow walker?

We find a lot of people who haven’t been on a walking tour before worry about this, but it’s rarely an issue. We keep a comfortable steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery along the way. Usually the group will spread out over a couple of hundred metres as we walk.

Normal walking pace on a formed surface like a road or footpath is around 4.5 – 6 km per hour and we tend to average just over 3 km per hour on bush tracks. It’s not a stroll but it’s not a brisk walk either. If you feel you may be slower than this, try some longer training walks to increase your walking fitness.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

What is the average age of Inspiration Outdoors’ guests?

About 80% of our walkers are aged between 45 – 75. Our youngest guest has been about 35 and our oldest was 82. We get a roughly 60/40 female to male split.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs

What’s the food like? Can you cater for my dietary needs?

We serve simple, nutritious and delicious food on tour, using fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. Of course, if you like, you can indulge in some less nutritious treats as well – you’re on holiday after all and Emily bakes a mean cake. Breakfast, home-made morning tea, lunch, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles and a two course evening meal are all included. We are happy to adapt our menu to suit many dietary needs including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets – please ask when you book.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

Are your walking tours just for “bushwalkers”?

Our walks are for anyone who enjoys walking and nature – bushwalkers or not. Our walks are conducted in safe, supportive and fun environments and you don’t need specialised equipment or experience to undertake them. We give you information about what you will need to bring and how you should prepare for each tour and we’re always here to answer any questions or concerns.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs

Do I have to walk every day on tour?

Of course not – it’s your holiday and you should do what you feel! Relax at the accommodation, come for a drive, get dropped off in town or go for a stroll of your own. On some days there is also the opportunity to walk for part of the day. This last option depends on whether there is vehicle access to the track.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

What do I have to carry when I walk?

Very little. A water bladder or bottles, a rain jacket, some personal first aid supplies and, on some days, lunch. You will probably want a camera as well. We return to accommodation each evening so there is no need to carry a large backpack.

Posted in: About Walking Tours In General

Beautiful walks in the daytime, relax with fellow walkers each evening

As much as this tour is a fantastic outdoor experience, it’s also a social experience, giving you a chance to enjoy the companionship and support of like-minded people.

Enjoy a cuppa with a slice of home-made cake for morning tea, and fresh healthy lunches, surrounded by nature. Finish each day with a delicious, nutritious dinner with the group.

What people have said

A well organised, sometimes challenging walk – stunning views, wildlife, flora/fauna, lead by well-informed guides. Excellent accommodation, great food and good company

Judy, Cape to Cape 2016

Emily and Adam’s encouragement and sense of humour made the challenging bits of the walk manageable and fun. They fostered a sense of a community amongst the group from the outset. Their knowledge of the local plants, landscape and history made the walk all the more inspiring. They planned and cooked delicious meals.

Jane Whiteley, Cape to Cape, 2014

Pricing

AUD $1,520 per person (single supplement $250)

Secure your place with a $350 deposit.

Ask about this tour:

If you would like to book this tour, or just want to learn a bit more about it, please fill in the enquiry form below and we will get back to you to confirm availability or to answer your questions.

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Other ways to get in touch

What happens after I book?

After you have paid a deposit and filled in a registration form, we will send you any extra information you may need, including a list of what to bring and how best to prepare for the tour.

Payment in full is required at least six weeks prior to the tour (bookings can still be made within six weeks of tour start date if there are places available). We will email or call you to remind you when this is due.

Finally, we will contact you prior to your tour to confirm pick-up times and locations. If you have any questions or concerns at all before or after you have booked, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can go through them with you.

What are my payment options?

Payment can be made by:

  • Direct deposit
  • Cheque
  • Credit card

Can I cancel my booking?

We hope that you do not need to cancel your booking. However, if you do, our cancellation fee, based on the notice given prior to the departure date, is:

  • More than 12 weeks: $50 administration fee
  • 6 to 12 weeks: loss of deposit
  • 4 to 6 weeks: 25% of full tour cost
  • 2 to 4 weeks: 50% of full tour cost
  • less than 2 weeks: 100% of full tour cost, no refund

If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.

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