Blue Mountains Explorer Bus Lyrebird Pass - Hop On Hop Off + Scenic World

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A full day on the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus combined with unlimited rides at Scenic World: the glass-floored Skyway, the world's steepest passenger railway, the Cableway and the rainforest Walkway, with 23 stops of lookouts, waterfalls and Leura Village around them.

Days

Full day

Group size

Hop on hop off, at your own pace

Start / finish

Katoomba Railway Station / Katoomba and Leura loop / Katoomba

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Hop on hop off bus around 23 stops in Katoomba and Leura

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Blue Mountains Explorer Bus Lyrebird Pass - Hop On Hop Off + Scenic World

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Included experiences

Scenic World — Skyway, Railway, Cableway and Walkway as often as you like
Echo Point — the Three Sisters and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Katoomba Falls and Cascades — waterfall walks below the cliffs
Leura — cascades, Gordon Falls and Leura Village

Blue Mountains Explorer Bus Lyrebird Pass - Hop On Hop Off + Scenic World

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: KATOOMBA STATION AND THE FIRST BUS

Your day begins at the Explorer Bus office at the top of the stairs out of Katoomba station, almost two hours from Sydney by train. Katoomba sits about 1,000 metres up on a sandstone plateau, and the blue haze the mountains are named for comes from fine droplets of eucalyptus oil rising off the forest. Catch the first bus, at about 9:15am, if you can: it runs out to Echo Point and back before starting the full loop of 23 stops, so you see the cliffs within minutes. The driver hands you a guidebook of maps and walks, and the live commentary between stops covers the geology, the lookouts and the history.

SCENIC WORLD: THE SKYWAY AND THE RAILWAY

Hop off at Scenic World (stop 7 for the Skyway's east station, stop 10 for the main entrance) and use your pass on all four rides as often as you like. The Scenic Skyway carries you 270 metres above the Jamison Valley, and part of its floor is glass that turns clear as you cross. Look out to the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Mount Solitary, a flat-topped mountain standing alone in the valley. Prefer solid ground under your feet? There are seats and a plain floor too. The Scenic Railway is next: built to haul coal from mines below the cliffs and carrying visitors since 1945, it drops down a 52 degree slope in just over two minutes. Tilt your seat back for a gentle ride or forward for a steep one.

SCENIC WORLD: THE WALKWAY AND THE CABLEWAY

At the bottom, turn right for the old mine entrance and relics from the coal days, then follow the Scenic Walkway, a 2.4 km boardwalk through rainforest of coachwood, sassafras and tree ferns. Listen for lyrebirds, which copy almost any sound they hear, from other birds to chainsaws. Spend ten minutes or an hour down here, then ride the enclosed Scenic Cableway back up the cliff, with views of the Three Sisters and Orphan Rock, a lone sandstone pillar left standing as the cliff around it wore away.

THE CLIFF WALK TO THE THREE SISTERS

Hop off at Honeymoon Lookout (stop 5), right on the cliff edge, and follow the Prince Henry Cliff Walk one way to Echo Point. Out-of-work men cut this track along the escarpment during the Depression of the 1930s, and it still hugs the rim between Katoomba and Leura. At Echo Point (stop 6) the Three Sisters rise out of the Jamison Valley, three sandstone pillars that in local Aboriginal story are sisters turned to stone. The valley below is part of the Greater Blue Mountains, World Heritage-listed in 2000 for its eucalypt forests, more than 90 kinds. Rejoin the bus at stop 6 when you're ready.

AFTERNOON: WATERFALLS, LOOKOUTS AND LEURA

Back on the bus, stops 8 and 9 lead to Katoomba Cascades and Katoomba Falls, and Narrow Neck (stop 11) is a thin finger of plateau between the Jamison and Megalong valleys. Cahills Lookout (stop 13) faces Boars Head Rock, a cliff edge shaped like a wild pig's head. Stops 18 to 23 cover Leura: the rock pools of Leura Cascades, the track from Gordon Falls down to the Pool of Siloam, named after the biblical pool in Jerusalem, and Leura Village, whose main street is lined with cherry trees that flower in spring. Catch the train home from Leura station or ride back to Katoomba.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: The Explorer Bus booking office, 283 Bathurst Road, Katoomba, at the top of the stairs as you leave Katoomba Railway Station. Show your booking confirmation there, or to the driver at any stop.
Departure time: The first bus leaves Katoomba at about 9:15am and buses run about hourly, more often on long weekends and in school holidays, with the last loop back in Katoomba in the late afternoon. The timetable is in the guidebook and confirmed when you book.
Suits: All ages. The buses take prams and wheelchairs, though extra buses brought in at busy times may not be double-deckers or wheelchair accessible. No pets.
Please note: Scenic World opens 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends, so on a weekday plan your bus day around those hours.
Getting there: By train, take the Blue Mountains Line from Sydney's Central Station to Katoomba, just under two hours. By car, take the M4, which becomes the Great Western Highway; parking is free at the railway station car park in Goldsmith Place, then walk through the underpass and up the steps. Travel to Katoomba is not included.

What to bring

The QR code from your confirmation email
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunscreen and water
Warm layers in winter (June to August)

What is included

One day Explorer Bus hop on hop off pass with live commentary
Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass: Skyway, Railway, Cableway and Walkway
Guidebook with maps, walking routes and local discounts

Not included

Food and drinks (Eats 270 and the Terrace Cafe at Scenic World)
Train or car travel to Katoomba

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

4.8

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Angus was hilarious and sang us two songs, and all the drivers were friendly and full of tips. More reliable than public buses if you don't have a car, the guidebook helped me plan my bushwalks, and the heated seats were lovely in winter. I bought mine as a combo with Scenic World, which worked out cheaper.

Charis Koh Verified· Travelled 19th August 2026

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(5/5)

Booking online was easy and the office staff were friendly when we collected our Lyrebird tickets, with great suggestions for a wet, foggy day. The drivers were informative and we loved Scenic World.

Alison E Verified· Travelled 7th July 2026

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(4/5)

A hassle-free way to see the Blue Mountains loop by double-decker. My one gripe is that the station office didn't tell us Scenic World needs wristbands, so we lost about 15 minutes in the wrong queue.

mn medipa Verified· Travelled 3rd January 2026

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(5/5)

We had the hop-on hop-off bus with Scenic World included. Pleasant, knowledgeable drivers, and we enjoyed Scenic World.

Shulamit Ron Verified· Travelled 22nd September 2025

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