Wine Hop and Coastal Tours Blue Mountains Zig Zag Railway, Scenic World & Harbour Ferry

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A full-day guided tour of the Blue Mountains from Sydney, with the Zig Zag Railway, Scenic World, the Three Sisters and a Sydney Harbour ferry back to Circular Quay. Travel in air-conditioned comfort at a relaxed pace with an experienced guide.

Days

Full day, about 11 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 24

Start / finish

Sydney CBD / Circular Quay
Circular Quay, around 5:45pm

Return

Circular Quay, around 5:45pm

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach from Sydney CBD, ferry back across Sydney Harbour

Meals

No meals are listed as included; free time for lunch in Blackheath

Route

Map of Wine Hop And Coastal Tours Blue Mountains Zig Zag Tour with Steam Train Ride, Scenic World, Three Sisters & Ferry Harbour Cruise

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Included experiences

Echo Point — views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley
Zig Zag Railway — 45 minute heritage train ride
Blackheath — free time and lunch in the village
Scenic World — Railway, Skyway and Cableway rides
Scenic Walkway — rainforest walk
Sydney Harbour — ferry to Circular Quay

Wine Hop And Coastal Tours Blue Mountains Zig Zag Tour with Steam Train Ride, Scenic World, Three Sisters & Ferry Harbour Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: SYDNEY TO ECHO POINT

Pick-up is early, from one meeting point in the city at Darling Harbour, so you reach the mountains ahead of the crowds. On the drive west your guide tells the stories of the Blue Mountains, whose blue haze comes from fine droplets of eucalyptus oil hanging in the air. First stop is Echo Point at Katoomba, facing the Three Sisters. In the story told here, the three sandstone peaks are sisters named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo, turned to stone, and the tallest stands 922 metres above sea level. Take your time on the platforms; the Jamison Valley below is forest from wall to wall.

MID-MORNING: THE ZIG ZAG RAILWAY

Over the top of the range near Lithgow you board a restored heritage train on the Zig Zag Railway for a ride of about 45 minutes. Engineer John Whitton built the Zig Zag in the late 1860s to get the Great Western Railway down the steep western escarpment. Rather than tunnel, he ran the line back and forth across the cliff on ramps joined by switchbacks, carried on tall sandstone viaducts. Today the train winds through those cuttings and over the viaducts, with native bush pressing in on both sides. Watch for the rock walls, cut through solid sandstone in the 1860s.

MIDDAY: LUNCH IN BLACKHEATH

Back east along the ridge, Blackheath is the highest town in the Blue Mountains, at about 1,065 metres, and often a few degrees cooler than Katoomba. Its main street is lined with cafés, bakeries, antique and book shops in old weatherboard and stone buildings. You have free time to choose your own lunch and wander the village at your own pace.

AFTERNOON: KATOOMBA CASCADES AND SCENIC WORLD

At Katoomba Cascades, Katoomba Creek tumbles over sandstone ledges just before it drops off the cliff as Katoomba Falls, and stepping stones let you cross at the foot of the cascade. Next door at Scenic World you take all three rides. The Scenic Railway runs at a 52-degree slope on a line first laid for a coal mine in the 1880s, the Skyway crosses a gorge 270 metres up, and the Cableway links the cliff top and the valley floor. Down below, the Scenic Walkway boardwalk leads you through rainforest of coachwood trees and tree ferns.

LATE AFTERNOON: FERRY TO CIRCULAR QUAY

The coach hands you over to a ferry for the last leg into the city. You glide down the harbour and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, whose steel arch opened in 1932 and rises 134 metres above the water, with the sails of the Sydney Opera House just beyond. You step off at Circular Quay around 5:45pm, on Sydney Cove where the First Fleet landed in 1788, right where the city's trains, buses and ferries meet.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from one Sydney CBD location: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour.
Departure time: 6:40am.
Finishes: Circular Quay around 5:45pm. Ferry timetables vary, so the return time is a guide only.
Minimum age: Children under 2 travel free if they do not occupy a seat; if a seat is needed, please buy a child ticket.
Please note: During peak periods a larger vehicle may be used.
Cancellation: If weather or other conditions prevent views, or if any Scenic World rides can't be done for any reason, including very long queues or maintenance, no partial or full refunds are given.

What to bring

Water
Hat
Sunscreen
Camera
Warm clothing
Umbrella and raincoat if rain is forecast

What is included

All entry and admission fees
Three rides at Scenic World
Guided rainforest walk
45 minute train ride on the Zig Zag Railway
Pick-up from one Sydney CBD location
Scenic ferry on Sydney Harbour
Return to central Sydney, Circular Quay

Not included

Food and drinks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

5.0

Based on 1 review

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)

I did the Blue Mountains Zig Zag tour with Phil today, a great guide with lots of knowledge. The trip was a bit of everything and a great taste of what the area offers.

Kristy A Verified· Travelled 19th October 2026

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