Ashleigh & Luke

Place guide · New South Wales

The Blue Mountains in a campervan

We took Paul to the Blue Mountains before Sydney, and it looked like a green version of the Grand Canyon. We visited Katoomba Falls with him and rode the Scenic Skyway together. This guide is for anyone taking a van up from Sydney: the lookouts and walks that are easy in a 2WD, where a van will and won't fit, and Scenic World. Where we quote official advice, it's in its own box with the date we checked it.

2WD verdict

Yes, the Blue Mountains are easy in a 2WD van. NSW National Parks says Echo Point lookout is on sealed roads suitable for 2WDs in all weather, and the park is within 2 hours' drive of Sydney. The catch is parking: fees and time limits apply at Echo Point, and car parks fill up at weekends.

Key points

  • Arrive early. Parking at Echo Point and Katoomba Falls can be limited at weekends.
  • Pay to park at Echo Point. Blue Mountains City Council runs visitor pay parking in the precinct.
  • Check your height at Scenic World. Its free multi-storey car park has a 2 m maximum clearance.
  • Rain isn't a deal-breaker. Scenic World says its Railway, Skyway and Cableway run in the rain, in enclosed cabins.
  • Big park. NSW National Parks says there are more than 140 km of walking tracks.
Before you go. Always double-check that walks, falls, roads and attractions are open before you go, to avoid disappointment, and check current fees at the time of booking. Closures and prices can change at short notice.

Our day in the Blue Mountains

We took Paul to the Blue Mountains before Sydney, and it looked like a green version of the Grand Canyon. We visited Katoomba Falls with him, and we rode the Scenic Skyway together.

Luke and Paul standing inside a yellow cable car cabin, with forested Blue Mountains cliffs through the windows
3 weeks with DadFrom our Instagram · view the post
The Three Sisters rock formation above a wide forested valley under a blue sky with white clouds
The Blue Mountains and KatoombaFrom our Instagram · view the post
The Blue Mountains with Dad. The Blue Mountains on the way to Sydney. Watch on YouTube

Echo Point and Katoomba

Popular things to do: Echo Point and the Three Sisters. NSW National Parks says Echo Point lookout is on sealed roads suitable for 2WDs in all weather. It has a bitumen car park where time limits and fees apply, and parking can be limited at weekends (NSW National Parks: Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters)). Blue Mountains City Council runs visitor pay parking in the Echo Point precinct (Blue Mountains City Council: pay to park). In a 2WD: easy, but expect to pay and arrive early at weekends (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: Katoomba Falls. Blue Mountains City Council says Katoomba Falls Reserve is within walking distance of the Three Sisters, the Scenic World Skyway and Katoomba town, and the 1.5 km Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk takes in Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and Katoomba Cascades (Blue Mountains City Council: Katoomba Falls Reserve). NSW National Parks says there's limited free parking at the reserve (NSW National Parks: Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk visitor info). In a 2WD: yes, but arrive early for a park (checked 4 November 2026).

Scenic World

Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). Scenic World says it's open every day of the year, generally 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends, in NSW school holidays and on public holidays. Its rides still run in the rain: the Railway, Skyway and Cableway cabins are enclosed. Guest parking is free in its multi-storey car park, which has a maximum clearance of 2 m (Scenic World: helpful information). In a 2WD: a high-roof van won't fit under 2 m, so check your height before you go.

Walks

Popular things to do: the Prince Henry Cliff walk. It follows the cliffs from Katoomba to Leura: Grade 3, 7 km one way, with many steps, and parking can be limited at weekends (NSW National Parks: Prince Henry Cliff walk visitor info) (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: Wentworth Falls. NSW National Parks says the Wentworth Falls track is 1.4 km return and takes 45 minutes to an hour. It's Grade 3, with about 200 steps down to Fletchers lookout and views of the 100 m falls, and isn't suitable for prams (NSW National Parks: Wentworth Falls track) (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: Govetts Leap and the Grand Cliff Top Walk. NSW National Parks lists Govetts Leap lookout at Blackheath, and the Grand Cliff Top Walk, 19 km over two days (NSW National Parks: Blue Mountains National Park) (checked 4 November 2026).

Before and after

We came to the Blue Mountains on the way to Sydney, which is within 2 hours' drive, NSW National Parks says. From Sydney, our Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive heads south and our East Coast guide heads north. For somewhere to sleep, apps such as WikiCamps Australia list campgrounds and caravan parks, with recent reviews.

Where to stay with a van

Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). Blue Mountains City Council runs two tourist parks: Katoomba Falls, on Cliff Drive about 2 km from Katoomba station, and Blackheath Glen, about 1 km from Blackheath station. Both have powered sites, unpowered sites and dump points; Katoomba Falls doesn't allow pets or fires (Blue Mountains Tourist Parks: compare our parks). The council's free bush camping reserves, such as Blackheath Glen Reserve and Old Ford Reserve in the Megalong Valley, are small, have no water and suit tents and small campervans; stays are limited to ten days (Blue Mountains City Council: camping in the Blue Mountains).

More lookouts and day trips

Popular things to do: Evans lookout, Blackheath. NSW National Parks says it's an accessible lookout over the Grose Valley, especially good at sunrise or sunset, and the start of the Grand Canyon track and the Cliff Top track to Govetts Leap. If the car park is full, use the nearby Grand Canyon car park (NSW National Parks: Evans lookout). In a 2WD: yes (checked 4 November 2026).
Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). If you're planning Jenolan Caves, check access on its site first (Jenolan Caves). NSW National Parks says the only access is Edith Road, which isn't suitable for caravans, trailers or any vehicle longer than a 12-seat minibus (NSW National Parks: Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve visitor info). Check before you plan it.

FAQs

Can you drive to the Blue Mountains in a 2WD campervan?

Yes. NSW National Parks says Echo Point lookout is on sealed roads suitable for 2WDs in all weather. Expect to pay for parking and arrive early at weekends.

Can a campervan park at Scenic World?

Scenic World's free multi-storey car park has a 2 m maximum clearance, so check your van's height before you go.

Is the Scenic Skyway worth it?

We rode it with Paul. Scenic World says the cabins are enclosed and run in the rain.

How far are the Blue Mountains from Sydney?

NSW National Parks says the park is within 2 hours' drive of Sydney.

Where can you camp in a campervan in the Blue Mountains?

Blue Mountains City Council runs tourist parks at Katoomba Falls and Blackheath Glen, with powered sites and dump points, and small free bush camping reserves for tents and small campervans.

Sources

Our own experience comes from our day with Paul (in the video and Instagram posts above). Everything else is from the official sources below.

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