4 ways to experience an incredible Blue Mountains winter

With crisp air and vast landscapes, winter is the perfect time for a Blue Mountains adventure. Here’s four reasons why you need to visit.

1. Come out of your winter hibernation

Things only get better here during winter – the days may be cold and crisp but the sky is usually blue and clear, with visibility out to the Great Dividing Range. In the upper villages, ice and frost cover the ground with the occasional snowfall, creating a winter wonderland (and the perfect excuse to cosy up in front of a fire!). But when you get out and about, the best winter day is spent exploring Scenic World .

Start with an early ride on the Scenic Skyway to see the amazing views over Katoomba Falls and the Jamison Valley. Hop off at the Skyway’s eastern anchorage to get some photos from the lookout and stroll along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Echo Point to see the famous Three Sisters. Return to the main building by Skyway and from here take the steep iconic Scenic Railway down to the valley.

At the bottom walk along the Scenic Walkway over the Jamison Valley floor – during the colder months, and even in the rain, the colours of the rainforest surrounding the walkway are magnificent: mist shrouds the towering cliffs above, raindrops cling to the lush green leaves and birdlife is more active. From here, take the 545-metre ride up the Scenic Cableway to the top of the escarpment, enjoying views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls as you go.

Steep: the Scenic Railway, Blue Mountains.

2. Get your walking shoes on

Take advantage of the free all-day parking at Scenic World, a great base to have an all-day walking adventure! Take the Scenic Skyway from the main building across the valley (suspended 270 metres in the air) to the east anchorage and enjoy the leisurely Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Take in the spectacular views of the Jamison Valley as you meander along the escarpment which leads to the iconic Three Sisters. From here, take the Giant Staircase which winds down alongside the Three Sisters to the Jamison Valley floor. The Federal Pass in the Blue Mountains National Park will take you from here through the rainforest, via Katoomba Falls, and ends at the base of Scenic World.

From here, you can either get your heart pumping and climb the 1000 Furber Steps or take the Scenic Railway to the top. It will take around two hours from start to finish, though you may take longer when you see the views.

3. Celebrate a milestone

September marks the 70th anniversary of the Blue Mountains’ iconic Scenic World, which first opened in 1945 when Harry Hammon acquired the lease of the former historic Katoomba Coal Mine. Driven by visitors’ fascination of the steep railway that led into the rainforest, Hammon saw a wonderful opportunity to convert the old coal skips and tracks into a passenger train, which was to be the steepest in the world.

It still holds that esteemed title today, giving visitors unparalleled access to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Run by the same family, now in their third generation, Scenic World is the country’s most visited privately owned tourist attraction. To celebrate over 25 million visitors creating memories here, there are a number of special events planned to acknowledge this wonderful occasion.

Enveloped by rain forest canopy, Blue Mountains.

4. Capture the perfect shot

If you’re a keen amateur photographer, the Blue Mountains is the perfect backdrop to test out your skills. Blue Mountains local and professional photographer Gary P. Hayes suggests the best spots to get snap happy on Scenic World’s blog. But we’ve listed our favourites here:

Middle Platform, Katoomba Falls: A great spot for sunset photos as the cliffs glow red – you get the close-up of the falls on your left and views into Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary.

Sublime Point, Leura: An easily accessible lookout which is great at sunrise, which lights up Mt Solitary and the back of the Three Sisters on the right.

Govett’s Leap, Blackheath: Hayes suggests this is the easiest but best vista lookouts with spectacular views, again best photographed at sunrise when the rays highlight the frequent valley mist.

Valley of the Waters, near Wentworth Falls: Take the descent into a deep gorge along the ridge from Conservation Hut for stunning waterfalls and great vistas. It’s an all-day walk but worth it!

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

Four ways to experience an incredible Blue Mountains winter