Three Sisters

Scenic spot · Wollondilly

Three Sisters

Scenic spot · Wollondilly

1

Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

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Highlights

Perched above the stunning Jamison Valley, the Three Sisters rock formation offers breathtaking views and a slice of Aboriginal folklore just a short drive from Sydney.  

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Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia Get directions

nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia Get directions

+61 2 4787 8877
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 28, 2025

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3 Best Day Trips from Sydney | Condé Nast Traveler

"Rising up from the northern escarpment of the Jamison Valley, this massive, iconic rock formation is arguably the most famous site in all the Blue Mountains. Formed by thousands of years of erosion, the peaks—named Meehni (3,024 feet), Wimlah (3,011 feet) and Gunnedoo (2,972 feet)—feature prominently in Aboriginal folklore; legend has it they were once three sisters, turned to stone to protect them from danger. You can easily view the formation from the Echo Point lookout in Katoomba, the region’s rustic hub town, around a 90-minute drive from Sydney." - Sophie Davies

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-day-trips-from-sydney
View Postcard for Three Sisters walk

Hani Kim

Google
The Three Sisters at Blue Mountains was absolutely stunning! The rock formation is so unique and full of history, and the view from Echo Point is just breathtaking. It’s even more magical in person than in photos. A must-see spot if you're visiting the Blue Mountains – you won’t be disappointed!

Zealynn Brundall

Google
Amazing view, nice trails and paths to hike on. Lots of spots to eat at. Lots of tourists though which is expected. There is a relaxed vibe and I like that the fences are not raised and blocking the view

Rachelle C Foo

Google
A natural majestic view of the three sisters and vista. The walk down is of moderate ability, but getting back up the stairs is a little more tiring. There are a number of viewing platforms to gaze out and enjoy. Earlier in the day is quieter, but it is a special spot so understandably busy with tourists.

Mary Mathews

Google
Highly recommend this is one of the best places in Australia! So amazing!! And it’s definitely worth going on the gondolas across the mountains and down to the forest floor to do a hike or 2. Three sisters is so close to town which is so great you can view it so easily. Great public transportation around the area too! We went rock climbing in medlow bath which was really worth it.. lots of great climbs for us around 17-22’s

Jai ganesh

Google
Three sisters rock located in blue mountains katoomba near Echo point. You have to walk in narrow pathways made of rocks to see beautiful views of jamison valley. Three tall pillars of rocks look like three sisters made it popular. Blue green valley is scenic. You can stay near view point if not good at the walking..

Taran Natt

Google
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the Three Sisters. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and the location is quite accessible. Parking is plentiful, making it a convenient spot to visit. I would recommend going during the day to fully appreciate the breathtaking views and the serene atmosphere.

Lyndel T

Google
Beautiful drive to get there, vistas are breaking! The track (trails), paths, stairs are all manageable by able body persons. The small shops and visitor centers are staffed by friendly people. The track (trail) from the top to the bottom is a thrilling walk but not for someone afraid of heights! We walked it after a light rain. The steel steps and cut out rock steps can be quite slippery! If it's a hot day, make sure to take plenty of water with you as going down is easy, but all those steps back up (I think over 9,000 steps) is WAY more strenuous! The hike to the waterfalls cannot be missed! It is SUCH a FUN adventure! The track (trail) via the Overcliff-Undercliff track (trail) is like walking through an Indiana Jones or Hobbit movie scene! All in all, WELL worth the trip and I would LOVE to go again!

Gabby

Google
Returned to visit and view the three sisters and stunning Blue Mountains National Park today after about 40 years. It's still such an awesome sight and worth braving the crowds. The parking is a challenge, as while I tried to use the app/online payment method, I was not able to, and payment via the machine is restrictive as you have to return to top up. Highly recommend if you are visiting the area.
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Donna B.

Yelp
I had no idea about the Blue Mountains in Australia until I started researching prior to my trip. One of the stars of the Blue Mountains are the Three Sisters, Wimalah, Meeni, and Gunedoo. Named from an Aboriginal legend. About 200 million years ago, volcanoes erupted through layers of sandstone and shale. Then eroded over time by wind, rain and rivers, causing the cliffs surrounding the Jamison Valley to be slowly broken up. Aboriginal legend says the three sisters - Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo belong to a Nepean tribe in the Jamison valley. All three sisters were in love with three brothers, but they couldn't marry because the tribes were rivals. (Romeo and Juliette times three). Ignoring the tribal laws, the brothers decided to kidnap Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo. Creating a major tribal battle. To protect the three sisters, the tribe took them to a witch doctor who would temporarily turn them into stone and hide them near the rocky wall until the war was over. Unfortunately, the witch doctor was killed before the spell was reversed. Leaving the three sisters in stone forever. Echo Point gives the greatest view of The Sisters. The extension view from here is breathtaking, as you can see for miles across the valley tree tops. From this point is the spot that Queen Elizabeth II first saw The Sisters. Incredibly stunning.
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Andrea U.

Yelp
The Blue Mountains are 26 small townships that offer antiquing to bushwalking. The mountains are a vast sandstone table land with eroded scenery. We went through Katooba to Echo Point to see the three sisters & national park from various lookouts. The Three Sisters are a famous rock formation. Like the rest of the Blue Mountains, the Sisters are made of porous sandstone formed by erosion over time from wind, rain & rivers. The cliffs surrounding the Jamison Valley are all being slowly broken up, and eventually, as nature dictates, they will be completely eroded away.
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John C.

Yelp
What a beautiful natural park to go and walk around when I'm visiting Australia. Just outside of Sydney the natural wonders of this entire region is beautiful. They have cable cars to go back and forth, as well as a vertical train that goes deep down into the valley. You'll see many different birds, and other wildlife species although we did not see any of the classic kangaroos or koalas. Still a beautiful day to walk around.
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Nicole E.

Yelp
What great views, hiking, some stair climbing too. Nice place to spend a few hours. Just some chill time with nature. Be sure to wear comfy hiking shoes, terrain gets a bit rough in spots. I brought a sweater since it gets a bit cooler by the falls, but feels good with the beating sun. A hat is a great idea too.
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Kellie R.

Yelp
I saw the Three Sisters from afar. I was going to take the hike over but it was 110 degrees that day and I wasn't feeling like getting a heat stroke. The formations are beautiful and they're surrounded by the stunning Blue Mountains. If you visit Scenic World, you will get amazing views of the Three Sisters.
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Jen L.

Yelp
Sadly the two of the three sisters were hiding from me on the day that I was able to make it to this lovely park. It was rainy and foggy but that just made the closest sister a bit eerie as she loomed out of the fog. The paths are lovely and an easy walk...until you get to that staircase and that's optional unless you want to reach out and touch a sister. A lovely park all the way around.
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Blessie V.

Yelp
Read this in a pidgin Hawaiian accent if can: "HO SISTA, looking good, ah?" The three sisters look great from all angles, and there are walking trails galore to get them all. Though the walking trail to get up and close to them is crowded and not the most attractive (in comparison to the Grand Canyon), it's still quite pretty. I'd say it would be even more dramatic if there was a pathway that goes around the three sisters. Hehe. Nonetheless, this is a great stop and I highly recommend checking these sisters out!
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Sharon T.

Yelp
A nice, scenic view but being from the States, I'm afraid I've seen the Grand Canyon too soon and nothing can top that for me. I'm sure there is more to the Blue Mountains than just the Three Sisters Lookout but sadly, I couldn't experience more of what it has to offer, but as far as the lookout goes, it is very touristy and crowded. There were way too many pushy tourists that would stand in the way to take photo blasts of the same angle for 5 minutes. The stairs were the worst, but then again, I was in the touristy part of the park and it was expected. When I got to the middle of the staircase (of the Three Sisters), I was pretty disappointed--very dense spot and there wasn't much past the ramp. There were so, so many people, it was hard to look out and appreciate the beauty for even just a little bit. If you've been to a handful of mountains in your life, you may not be impressed, but I believe this is a must-visit in NSW and Katoomba is a cute town to visit and enjoy a nice meal.
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Angelo A.

Yelp
Absolutely stunning, this is a fantastic rock formation and we were lucky enough to enjoy it on a beautiful clear day. This a huge tourist stop for both drivers and tour buses alike. We found that parking was a bit of a challenge since we were driving an RV, but with a smaller vehicle I'm sure it would have been much easier. It's about 50 minutes from Sydney without traffic or construction, unfortunately we experienced both so it took us about 2 1/2 hours, but we were on vacation so it didn't matter too much. We drove to Echo Point, which I tried the echo part, didn't work for me. Oh well. We did do a side excursion called The Stairwell and it was excellent, narrow, but not horrible, more a walk than a hike, yet the views were exceptional.
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Paul L.

Yelp
From Echo Point, you can see these sisters pretty well. What you'll also see is every tourist who came to the park, because this is the most popular lookout point there. Walk a little further and it'll become much quieter and easier to enjoy the view. Don't be afraid to explore the park further!
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Elisabeth P.

Yelp
We only got one day hike in the blue mountains while we were here. The blue mountains are unbelievably beautiful. Even just driving in and taking pictures at the visitor center lookout is worthwhile. When I thought of Australia I never expected there to be so much diversity in the terrain. While we never saw the outback we of course know it is in the center of the continent, surrounded on the coasts with beautiful beaches and then as you move inland filled with tropical rainforest areas like The Blue Mountains. We did the Three Sisters trail and went down The Giant Stairway which was no problem..it's the going up part that is intimidating! We only had time to do one of the shorter trails at the bottom. The gondola for a ride up to the top was not operating the day we were here so the real fun started as we went up the nearly 800 steps if The Giant Stairway. Overall the hike took us a couple hours and was really amazing. I would consider it pretty strenuous and caution those with medical conditions that limit exercise abilities or have issues with balance. I wish we would have had more time here to do some of the other hikes. If you do some hiking in the area you'll enjoy seeing a diversity of flora and fauna and maybe even some animals. I definitely recommend the blue mountains for some great hiking close to Sydney
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Melissa M.

Yelp
This lookout point, also called "Echo Point" is a beautiful and FREE spot to look into one of the valleys of the Blue Mountains. Every time I have been here it's been beautiful. There are a few paths that bring you down below the level of the main lookout. There is plenty of room to look out on to the natural beauty. There is also plenty of room to take some great photos of the Three Sisters. I've always been here in the winter and therefore, I've never seen huge crowds mentioned by others. Winter is the best time to visit Australia, the Blue Mountains, and the Three Sisters. If you make it out to this lookout point, then take in the gondola ride and nature walk at Scenic World. When I was last here, there was an aboriginal man posing for photos. We happened to get a shot of him and a group of tourist Buddhist monks. It was quite an interesting mix of people! Always a good time at the Blue Mountains!
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Carolyn L.

Yelp
The weather was a bit off when we visited in Spring so that could be why we did not get to see the blue hue cast over the mountains. It was hot with the sun bearing down on us (don't forget your sunblock and hat and sunnies), yet cool when the wind was blowing (so a light cardigan will help, it also helped to keep the sun away from the arms), then there was a light shower followed by a sudden heavy thunderstorm. All these in just one day or rather a few hours. I would say the Three Sisters was an interesting natural rock formation and the view was impressive in knowing how vast the mountains are and how tiny we are. I think I am just biased as I always like my mountains to be of the snow capped variety and less of greens and rocks and valleys. Plus growing up in Vancouver where the mountains are right in the city's doorstep, you just get used to seeing that, plus the cascades mountains and Canadian rockies. So to those who are from that part of the world or has seen those mountains, the beauty of the Three Sisters may not be that apparent immediately. It is still a nice place but just not awe inspiring to me. There are trails to hike around, be careful as certain parts may be slippery when wet. Allow more time to explore if you are going on the trails.
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Brianna B.

Yelp
These giant rock formations are so pretty! You can see them from far away or you can take the giant staircase down to them and sit underneath one of the sisters. Really cool!
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John B.

Yelp
The views are great at and around the Three Sisters. There are plenty of trails of varying levels; some paved walkways, but also plenty of more difficult hiking and some serious stairs down to the valley. The town itself has enough to offer in terms of shops and charm to be worth a visit. There's definitely a chance of interesting wildlife sightings as well-though the fascinating looking parrots got away before I could take pictures. What really makes it appealing is how close it is to Sydney, and being accessible by train or drivable, you can go from the beaches to the mountains in a day, and get a really different experience. There are plenty of expensive touristy things to do, but just getting there and walking around is a decent day in itself.
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Debbie F.

Yelp
I always love visiting the sisters when in Katoomba. Luckily I stay at an Air BnB just a short walk away and I can visit at all hours. The view at night is especially gorgeous.
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Michael C.

Yelp
Everyone touring the area comes here. You will too. It's one of the classic Australian vistas. Take in the views of the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley and don't mind that you've escaped the city to find a small crowd at this lookout. The structure in front is Mount Solitary. The valley looks surreal in winter when it fills up with fog and Mount Solitary stands above. If you are smart and you are driving yourself, you will avoid the traffic and construction on the Great Western Highway and take Bells Line of Road from Richmond through Bilpin and make a stop at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah. See my separate review. The Jamison Valley was named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in honour of Sir John Jamison (1776-1844), a prominent landowner and physician who visited the Blue Mountains with the governor in 1815. Later, as local towns were beginning to develop, the British naturalist Charles Darwin toured the area. He stayed at the Weatherboard Inn in Wentworth Falls in 1836, and undertook a walk along Jamison Creek to the escarpment of the Jamison Valley, where he was suitably impressed by the spectacular views. His route is now commemorated as Darwins Walk, starting in Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls, and following Jamison Creek to the escarpment Many moons ago they used to have a lookout room with a giant window to see the Sisters. It was cold and damp and creepy. Now they have a big open deck to accommodate the increasing number of people who come here. I have some hazy memory of hiking up one or two of the Sisters as a small boy; I think the third one was inaccessible. Don't know if you can do that now. Twice I have walked down the Giant Stairway - about 900 steps. I guess I didn't learn my lesson the first time. The lesson is: that is too many steps to go down and your legs will turn to rubber. After trekking the valley below we took the Scenic Railway back up. This time we took the Scenic World gondola ride down to the nature walk. Much easier than the Giant Stairway, but you have to wait in line. It's called Echo Point but there is no echo. Maybe the Aborigines took away the echo because there is not enough acknowledgement of Aboriginal culture in this area, when they were here first way before the Europeans came.
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David H.

Yelp
TOURIST STOP!!! One of the most popular and amazing attractions in the Blue Mountains. A must see for any tourist. You don't need a guided tour. You can easily catch a train from Sydney (Central Station) and get off at Katoomba. Its a fairly long walk from the station or take a cab/taxi. Try and make your visit when there is no fog, rain or low cloud. You will be disappointed to visit and not see the Three Sisters. If you follow the path to the left of the lookout you can actually walk to the base the 1st sister. Winters can be cool/cold and sometimes even snowy. I suggest a visit in Spring to Autumn. There are several walks close by, you can actually walk down all the way to the bottom of the valley and then up the other side of the Three Sisters. I've been to 47 states in the United States and all over Australia and to me this is one of the most amazing places.
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Jonathan C.

Yelp
Its the biggest tourist spot in the Blue Mountains and it is really annoying to find parking out here. But it is a great place to shoot photos. It is always stunning. There are way too many tour buses here, so you will need to be pushy to get up to the rail and get some nice clear photos. I would really like to be here at night sometime as it would make a great place to shoot. I would avoid doing any hikes from this location as the standard down the stair case and turning right to go to the train lift back up is quite busy and lack luster.
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Lachlan B.

Yelp
Would have been much better if the weather was more forgiving - we got caught in a rainstorm. If you go on a weekend it gets exceptionally crowded, as was the case for us. Parking around the site is a nightmare on the weekend - we had a 15 minute walk to get there from where we finally parked. Hard to get to the edge due to the number of people, but once you do the view is quite good.
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Dennis S.

Yelp
Lots of different angles of Three Sisters rock formations to enjoy. It's an easy trail to walk, with more challenging trails for those that want them. But getting to all the main viewing angles is easy. Arriving early allowed for easy local parking. Huge gift shop with every trinket imaginable.

Jo K.

Yelp
You have to go. Yes, it's a tourist trap, but really, the views are spectacular. The Dreamtime story which explains the land tells of 3 sisters of the Katoomba tribe on the run from capture who were turned into these enormous pillars for safety. They were then stuck that way when the magician who protected them by doing so was killed. Makes me terribly sad everytime I think about it. As does the lack of obvious information and acknowledgement at the site of the traditional owners. Perhaps there was some buried in the Visitor's centre under piles of stuffed koalas and sunhats, but you had to look pretty hard. The site itself had been overhauled in a big way from the how I remember it from when I was a kid, it's very wheelchair and pram friendly now and the lookouts have sturdy railings rather than the chickenwire I seem to remember. If you step back a bit from the edge, you can lookout over the amazing expanse of blue (second only to the Grand Canyon I believe), stand right at the edge and it's a more of a dizzying lookdown.
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Tim D.

Yelp
It's a major tourist stop. There will be huge crowds, and coaches getting in your way. It's paid parking all around, but just park on the streets five minutes up the road for free and walk down. Save yourself the stress. The Three Sisters are a pretty dramatic view. The cluster of rocky spires makes a good foreground, with the valley and trees stretching away behind. There are several hikes you can do from here, for all levels of fitness and adventure: some are just 10 minutes on a boardwalk, some go down around the base of one of the sisters, some go right down to (and up from, don't forget) the valley below. My recommendation is to just get the views from here and then go somewhere like Blackheath for your hiking and views; it's much, much less crowded. If you need touristy gifts you'll find plenty at the shop here.
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Eliza B.

Yelp
Grand view and some really nice, well paved trails if you are up for a walk. Go early to avoid the crowds. The 3 sisters are also lit up at night and the stargazing from the observation deck is spectacular. Great place to use the Sky View app to learn the constellations!
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Adam P.

Yelp
A really nice lookout famous around the world because of the 3 sisters. While there are more spectacular lookouts in the Blue Mountains, this lookout is within easy walking distance from Katoomba train station and is well developed to cater for the large number of people who visit each year. From here, it's possible to walk to the 3 sisters themselves, to Scenic World across the valley and down into the valley itself where there are walks zig-zagging all around the place. There's a decent tourist information centre on site and a souvenir shop. You do have to pay for parking in the general vicinity until 5pm when it is free. If you come in the middle of the day and want free parking, simply drive about 500m up the road and park in front of someone's house as there are no parking fees in this area. A good central lookout with good facilities.
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Kimberly C.

Yelp
Very breathtaking and makes me appreciate nature. I enjoyed hearing our tour guide's story of the three sisters. They really appreciate their Aboriginal history. I wish that there weren't so many tour buses and people. It kind of took away from the view. Nonetheless, it's a must visit outside of Sydney.
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David S.

Yelp
Quite a few people that I have known have been here, and I have seen plenty of photos of the place as well, but I had never actually been here, despite having travelled to Sydney a number of times. So, when I was in Sydney with my brother recently I decided to make the trek out here. To be honest, the rocks themselves were, well, rocks, however the view of the Blue Mountains from here was absolutely magnificent. I was there on a rather rainy day, so that wasn't all that pleasant, however it was still certainly worth the trek.
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Ben L.

Yelp
Beautiful view, popular with tourists and a great photo op. You are able to cross a short bridge and take a photo under the 'First' sister. You can also take The Giant Stairway (900 stairs) down to the valley treks/hiking trails. Whilst 98% of people will walk down them, consider being one of the 2% that climb UP and challenge yourself to a bit of exercise. It was well worth it in the end - though having to let all the people go past you climbing down was a little annoying.
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Chau G.

Yelp
As many reviewers have said before, it is a tourist trap, but one but cant help but acknowledge the fact the scenery is none the less spectacular It is a couple of hours West of Sydney, the main stops to traverse around the place are Katoomba and Leura. It is sparse and quiet and it gives the feeling that you've escaped from the city.

Kenji K.

Yelp
If you have ever been to Arizona or Utah, this place will seem like a city park compared to anything there. Hiking is hiking, and it can be fun there. And the views are definitely OK. But the 3 Sisters has absolutely nothing on things in Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce, Moab, etc. If you have been to those places, you will not be impressed with the 3 Sisters. Plus the lookout is crazy crowded. If you must, opt for Sublime Point. Much less crowded and just about as good a view.
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Jennifer Y.

Yelp
Located in the Blue Mountains National Park, the Three Sisters is a rock formation that can be viewed from the Echo Point lookout. I know there is a tale to go along with the title, but can't remember the details. Definitely a great view.
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Princess F.

Yelp
You must visit KATOOMBA if you are in Sydney. But pls check the weather. Sometimes the fog will make it difficult for you to enjoy the view. Get a ticket to the HOP ON HOP OFF Bus tours. If you get Jimmy as a driver, you will surely have a fun ride with his commentaries.
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Richard S.

Yelp
The views were breathtaking and I stood in awe of nature's majesty and mystery. My lovely friend T took me there a quarter of a century ago, and I will never forget it.

Qype User (mare8…)

Yelp
During the day this place is totally crowded and the observation platform is packed with tourists. Considering that the blue mountains have to offer a beautiful landscape, breath-taking waterfalls and lovely trails, the Three Sisters are overrated by far. Maybe these rocks have a certain aboriginal history and maybe they are unique in this particular area, but nervertheless, you will find thousands of formations all over the world that are more impressive.

Joy J.

Yelp
Magnificent! Cannot imagine visiting the region and passing this spot over. Seems like a lot of the negative or average reviews were from people who visited during busy tourist hours. We stayed in town and visited around 6 PM local time on a Wednesday (sunset is around 7:30 PM). All of the tourist buses and daytrippers were gone so it was very quiet and only a few people there. Absolutely spectacular and beautiful. Assuming the place isn't crowded, you only need about 30 to 60 minutes to take photos and absorb the amazing views. Plenty of surrounding walking and hiking trails if you have more time and wish to explore.
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Karla g.

Yelp
I saw the three sisters from Scenic World. It was a rainy cloudy rainy day and it was like the clouds parted just for us. This is a beautiful sight not to be missed.
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Trish B.

Yelp
The Prince Henry scenic walk that starts next to the visitors centre is a 30 min return trip with some beautiful scenery. The last part has some steep stairs but with this exception it's a pretty easy walk. Took our kids aged 4 and 7 and they loved being able to walk across to one of the sisters. Absolutely spectacular and worthwhile doing if you're in Katoomba