Blue Mountains Activities

Blue Mountains activities range from a 3-hour introduction to canyoning to a full day of abseils, waterslides and water jumps. The adventure trips run out of Katoomba and Wentworth Falls, and Scenic World gives you a gentler day in the same valley. For guided sightseeing days from Sydney, see Blue Mountains tours.

Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Empress Canyon canyoning with Eagle Rock Adventures is the short way in. It's a 3-hour introduction from Wentworth Falls with short swims, rock jumps and a 30-metre waterfall abseil, and a wetsuit and safety equipment are provided. Start times run through the morning and afternoon.

A full day goes further. The Blue Mountains Abseiling and Canyoning day with High and Wild, a popular choice, begins with cliff abseils of 5, 15 and 30 metres. After lunch you walk to the canyon for water jumps, waterslides and a waterfall abseil. The Winter Canyoning Blue Mountains day also starts on the cliffs, then heads through a steep, narrow slot canyon in Beautiful Juggler Canyon.

Abseiling in the Blue Mountains

High and Wild's half-day abseiling adventure builds from a 5-metre abseil to 15 metres, which you can repeat, then finishes on a 30-metre overhanging abseil. It's a 4-hour morning that starts at 8.45am from Katoomba.

Eagle Rock Adventures also runs cliff trips from Katoomba. Boars Head abseiling has three abseils of up to 25 metres, over 200 metres of cliff to traverse and views across the Megalong Valley, with start times at 9am and 1pm. Malaita Wall abseiling is the bigger one, with six abseils and a 45-metre drop down a vertical cliff face to open the day.

Scenic World and other ways to see the valley

If you'd rather ride than abseil, the Blue Mountains Scenic World Pass covers the Skyway, Railway, Cableway and Walkway in a circuit of just over an hour, with the Walkway running through the rainforest on elevated boardwalks. Full-day tours also pair the mountains with wildlife: the Blue Mountains Tour and Sydney Zoo Visit and the Deluxe Blue Mountains and Sydney Zoo Tour.

Choosing a Blue Mountains adventure

First-timers have three easy starting points: Empress Canyon, which is built as an introduction, Boars Head, which needs no experience, and the High and Wild day, which starts with a 5-metre abseil. Malaita Wall suits people who want bigger drops.

Meeting points differ. High and Wild meets on Katoomba Street in Katoomba and includes return transfers to the abseiling and canyoning locations. Eagle Rock Adventures meets on Cliff Drive in Katoomba for the abseils and on Fletcher Street in Wentworth Falls for Empress Canyon. High and Wild can also provide a free waterproof camera and helmets with GoPro mounts, though stock is limited.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need experience for abseiling or canyoning in the Blue Mountains?

Not for several trips. Boars Head abseiling and the High and Wild Winter Canyoning day both state that no experience is needed, and Empress Canyon is an introductory canyoning trip.

How long does a canyoning trip in the Blue Mountains take?

The Empress Canyon trip with Eagle Rock Adventures is a 3-hour half-day. The High and Wild abseiling and canyoning days are 8-hour full days with abseiling in the morning and the canyon after lunch.

How high are the abseils in the Blue Mountains?

High and Wild abseils run from 5 metres up to a 30-metre overhanging abseil, Boars Head reaches 25 metres and Malaita Wall opens with a 45-metre abseil.

What's included in the Blue Mountains abseiling and canyoning day?

The High and Wild Abseiling and Canyoning day includes helmets, harnesses and abseiling gear, wetsuit hire, a canyon pack with a dry bag, lunch and return transfers from its Katoomba office to the locations.

Can kids go abseiling in the Blue Mountains?

The High and Wild half-day abseiling adventure is listed as suitable for children aged 12 and over. Age limits vary by activity, so check each trip page before booking.

Pick a canyon, a cliff or a Scenic World ride and book online. Prefer a driver and a plan? Browse the Blue Mountains day trips instead.