The Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katooma | Blue Mountains, NSW
The Three Sisters at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains are an eroded sandstone outcrop. But the Aboriginal story behind this famous Katoomba landmark is more interesting.
Echo Point in Katoomba, NSW
At Echo Point in Katoomba, the viewing platform peers over into one of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. The Jamison Valley is Australia’s take on the Grand Canyon, albeit filled with eucalypt groves and temperate rainforests that are thousands of years old.
Chiselled sandstone escarpments rise along the boundaries and black cockatoos glide gracefully along over the dramatic drop. Mount Solitary sits all lonely in the middle and the Great Dividing Range pimples up on the horizon.
7 Blue Mountains experiences you should pre-book
- Scenic World tickets – combine dramatic train rides, cable cars & forest walks.
- The Blue Mountains hop-on, hop-off bus – get around Katoomba and Leura’s top sites hassle-free.
- Guided stargazing with an astrophysicist – learn how to read the clear night skies.
- Give canyoning a try – jumping, climbing and sliding through Empress Canyon.
- Take a half day abseiling adventure – in the Blue Mountains National Park.
- Indulge in a local produce tasting experience – with beers, wines & meats.
- Get adventurous – on a 4WD tour to the world’s second largest canyon.
The Three Sisters at Echo Point
To the left, however, is the most famous image of the Blue Mountains region – the Three Sisters. Eroded away from a sandstone outcrop over time, these postcard-dominating rock towers are subject to numerous legends.
Gundungurra story of the Three Sisters
One story, from the Gundungurra people whose traditional land the formation falls within, tells of three sisters who were in love with three brothers from a neighbouring tribe. However, tribal law forbade them from marrying. To prevent the brothers from taking the sisters by force, a Kuradjuri (roughly translated as clever man) temporarily turned them into stone. Alas, the Kuradjuri died before he could return them to their natural state. Since then, no-one has been able to break the spell and return them to their human form.
5 fab ways to explore: Which Blue Mountains tour should I book?
There are dozens of Blue Mountains day tours leaving Sydney every day. The best choice will come down to personal preference and what’s included. Almost all include Echo Point and the Three Sisters – it’s just the rest of the itinerary that varies. These tours are the best bets.
- Good value tour including Featherdale Wildlife Park, Scenic World & Parramatta River cruise.
- Similar itinerary, but with small group and lunch included.
- Wildlife-focused tour including Calmsley Hill City Farm, Govetts Leap lookout & Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.
- Small group tour including bushwalks, Featherdale, Glenbrook lookouts and Govetts Leap.
- Crowd-avoiding sunset tour including Euroka campground kangaroos & Wentworth Falls bushwalk.
Echo Point to Three Sisters walk
Whether you’re more taken with the Indigenous story behind the Three Sisters or the geological explanation is up to you. Just don’t expect to have these rocks to yourself. There’s a short walking track from Echo Point that takes you closer to the Three Sisters. But the best walk in Katoomba heads into the Jamison Valley, going down the Giant Stairway and coming back up the Scenic Railway.
Other Blue Mountains highlights include the Hydro Majestic Hotel in Medlow Bath, just a little further down the Great Western Highway from Katoomba. Also try seeing the Euroka Campground kangaroos, Breenhold Gardens and the Jenolan Caves.
6 top Katoomba experiences to book in advance
- Connect the key sights in Katoomba and Leura the easy way – on the hop-on, hop-off bus.
- Discover your adventurous side – while canyoning at Twister and Rocky Creek.
- Indulge in NSW-sourced wines, beers and tasting platters at Echo Point, while overlooking the Jamison Valley.
- Combine canyoning and abseiling on a full day adventure.
- Explore the Jamison Valley from all angles – with the trains and cable cars of Scenic World.
- See ancient Aboriginal rock art – and the views other people miss – on a 4WD adventure.
The best Katoomba accommodation options include the surprisingly affordable Blue Mountains Heritage Hotel, the pool-equipped Skyrider Motor Inn and the rather grand Carrington Hotel.
More things to do in New South Wales
Play golf with kangaroos at Salamander Bay in Port Stephens.
Visit Billabong Zoo near Port Macquarie.
Swing through the trees in Korora, near Coffs Harbour.
Explore pastoral history in Moulamein.
Go swimming in Wamberal Lagoon on the Central Coast.