Katoomba is the largest and most popular town in the Blue Mountains, and home to some of the most impressive lookouts in New South Wales.
The views from those lookouts stretch across vast valleys and sandstone escarpments that have been drawing visitors for well over a century.
Whether you’re spending a full day exploring the cliff walks in Katoomba or just passing through, the eight lookouts below are well worth the stop.
Keen to go bushwalking in the area? Read our guide on the best walks in Katoomba.
1. Copelands Lookout
Tucked between Katoomba and Leura along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Copelands Lookout is one of those spots that feels like a well-kept secret.
Also referred to as Copeland Lookout or Copelands View, this spot is easily accessible via a short walking trail from Cliff Drive, but it sees far fewer visitors than the more famous lookouts nearby.
The views are impressive, sweeping across the Jamison Valley with the Three Sisters to the southwest and Sublime Point to the southeast, and Mount Solitary and Kings Tableland visible in the distance.
If you’re after a bit of peace and quiet with a world-class view, this one’s hard to beat.
Read more: Copelands Lookout.
| Copelands Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
2. Echo Point
Echo Point is, by far, the most popular and most well-known lookout in the Blue Mountains, and it earns that reputation.
The main viewing platform looks out directly over the Three Sisters and across the broad expanse of the Jamison Valley. On a clear day, it’s a hard view to fault.
Echo Point is also a handy starting point for several walks, including the trail to Reids Plateau and the Three Sisters Walk. The precinct does get busy, especially on weekends, so an early start is recommended.
Read more: Echo Point to Reids Plateau Walk.
| Echo Point | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
3. Cliff View Lookout
Cliff View Lookout is a popular spot that’s easy to reach via a short, well-signposted walk from the Katoomba Cascades.
The views look out over the valley, with the added novelty of watching the Scenic Skyway cable car gliding across the gorge below.
It’s a family-friendly lookout, and the trail continues on towards Echo Point if you’re keen to extend the walk. A nice lookout if you want a relaxed half-hour that still delivers a great view.
| Cliff View Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
4. Katoomba Falls Lookout
Situated on Reids Plateau between Scenic World and the Katoomba Cascades, Katoomba Falls Lookout offers some of the best views of Katoomba’s famous waterfall. It’s a particularly special view when the Scenic Skyway passes overhead.
The quickest way to get there is via Katoomba Falls Reserve, from where you cross Cliff Drive, and then follow the trail up onto the plateau.
If you’d prefer a slightly longer walk, the lookout is also accessible via the Katoomba Falls Round Walk, and via Echo Point passing the Katoomba Cascades.
Read more: Reids Plateau Lookouts.
| Katoomba Falls Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
5. Eagle Hawk Lookout
Eagle Hawk Lookout is a small but rewarding stop just off Cliff Drive near Scenic World. This quiet vantage point offers stunning views of the Three Sisters against the backdrop of the Jamison Valley.
It’s reached via a very short walk from the road and is signposted, though parking is limited to a car or two, so it’s worth arriving with that in mind. A quick and worthwhile stop if you’re already in the area.
| Eagle Hawk Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
6. Landslide Lookout
Landslide Lookout is an isolated viewpoint not far from Eagle Hawk Lookout, reached via a short bushwalk from a signposted access point on Cliff Drive, between Narrow Neck Lookout and Scenic World.
The lookout takes its name from a series of landslides in 1931 that permanently altered the shape of the cliff face; an interesting piece of local history that gives this spot some extra character.
The views across the Jamison Valley are lovely, and its somewhat isolated location makes it an excellent alternative to the busier lookouts nearby.
Read more: Landslide Lookout.
| Landslide Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
7. Castle Head Lookout
Castle Head Lookout is the most adventurous entry on this list, and for many visitors it’s the most memorable.
Rather than a formal viewing platform, it’s a raw, exposed vantage point on the southernmost tip of the Castle Head headland. It looks directly towards the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary, with the Jamison Valley spreading out to the left and Cedar Creek Valley to the right.
It’s normally reached via a 4.5 km return bushwalk from the Narrow Neck trailhead; however, Glenraphael Drive, which leads to that trailhead, is currently closed to all vehicles due to landslide damage. The trailhead is still accessible on foot from Narrow Neck Lookout, making the one-way distance to Castle Head roughly 4.5 km.
Read more: Castle Head Lookout.
| Castle Head Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Location: | Google Maps |
8. Cahill’s Lookout
Cahill’s Lookout offers a change of scenery from many of the other viewpoints in the area, looking out over the Megalong Valley and the long ridge of Narrow Neck Plateau rather than the Jamison Valley.
It can be reached via a paved walking trail from a parking area on Cliff Drive, with a stop at Boars Head Lookout along the way as a nice warm-up.
Cahill’s Lookout has one main viewing platform plus two smaller ones on lower levels, accessible via stepped side trails. It’s a relatively quiet spot with a view that feels distinct from the rest of Katoomba’s lookouts.
Read more: Cahill’s Lookout.
| Cahill’s Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes (on a lead) |
| Location: | Google Maps |
28 Hidden Lookouts in the Blue Mountains
Grab our ebook and discover 28 scenic and secluded lookouts in the Blue Mountains, where you can enjoy the views without the crowds.
You list 8 great lookouts.
But not a single one is dog-friendly.
If I want to go for a stroll with my dog on a leash, can you please let me (and others) know the walks with views and/or lookouts which ARE dog friendly?
Hello Trevor, thanks for your question.
As you’re probably aware, dogs are not allowed to access National Parks in New South Wales, and most of the area where Katoomba’s walks and lookouts are is on national park land. Dogs are more than welcome on land that is managed by the Blue Mountains City Council.
On that note, in the Katoomba area, Cahill’s Lookout is dog-friendly. Additionally, there are quite a few walks and lookouts in the Glenbrook area that are dog-friendly, such as the Bluff Reserve Lookouts and the Lapstone Zig Zag Walk. Blackeath also has quite a few nice lookouts where dogs are welcome, such as Mount Blackheath and Hargraves Lookout.
We have an article with dog-friendly walks in the Blue Mountains which you may find helpful:
https://bluemountainsuncovered.com/dog-friendly-walks/