Katoomba to Blackheath drive: Distance, time & best stops

The Katoomba to Blackheath drive through the Blue Mountains covers an 11km distance in a driving time of around 11 minutes. The best stops along the way are Pulpit Hill and the Hydro Majestic Hotel.

The drive from Katoomba to Blackheath connects two of the main tourist hubs in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales.

Katoomba is where you’ll find the Blue Mountains hop-on, hop-off bus that links the Three Sisters lookout at Echo Point to the record-breaking novelty transport of Scenic World. To find your ideal Katoomba accommodation, head this way.

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.

Blackheath is home to many of the most impressive views in the Blue Mountains National Park. You can hire an e-bike to tackle the trail to Hanging Rock. For Blackheath accommodation options, look here.

You will also pass this way if coming through the Blue Mountains on a longer road trip – say from Sydney to Mudgee or Sydney to Orange.

Katoomba to Blackheath distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Katoomba to Blackheath is 11km. That makes for an 11 minute drive, providing traffic on the Great Western Highway isn’t too bad.

7 Blue Mountains experiences you should pre-book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

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.

Katoomba is unquestionably the tourism hub of the Blue Mountains. Highlights include riding the Scenic Railway at Scenic World and tackling the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

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.

The town is also the base for canyoning and abseiling adventures, tasting platters with prime views at Echo Point and 4WD tours into areas of the Blue Mountains most visitors don’t see.

Attractions on the Katoomba to Blackheath drive

On the way out of Katoomba, the Great Western Highway passes the trailhead for the Six Foot Track at Pulpit Hill on one side and the Upper Cascade Creek Dam on the other.

Next up is the town of Medlow Bath, which hosts the Hydro Majestic Hotel – one of the most revered spa hotels in Australia.

Coming into Blackheath, you’ll go near the Mermaids Cave Walk. But the main reason to visit Blackheath is the Blackheath section of the Blue Mountains National Park.

Top spots here include include Pulpit Rock, the Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap, Victoria Falls, the Mount Hay summit walk and the Grand Canyon.

But the top activity in Blackheath is arguably hiring an e-bike then mountain biking the Burramoko Trail along the ridgeline to Hanging Rock.

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.