You’ve probably heard of the Scenic Railway, one of the best things to do in the Blue Mountains, but you may not know how seriously Scenic World takes its commitment to sustainability

If you’re looking for things to do in the Blue Mountains, look no further than Scenic World. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a local showing visitors around, or just looking for something to entertain the kids for the day, you’ll find plenty of entertainment at this Blue Mountains attraction.

Scenic World’s location, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, comes with a huge amount of responsibility to both the environment and the local community, and it’s something this family business takes seriously.

Record-breaking railway

Scenic World’s number one attraction is the Scenic Railway. The original railway was built in the late 19th century to serve the Katoomba coal mine. It was bought by the Hammon family in 1945 and has thrilled over 25 million passengers over the last 70 years.

Following a redevelopment in 2013, the train now travels an unforgettable 310 metre route through a cliff tunnel before emerging on the floor of the stunning Jamison Valley. You can choose your level of adventure by adjusting your seat position. Thrill-seekers can go for ‘cliffhanger’ at a white-knuckle inducing 64° incline, there’s the ‘laidback’ option for slightly more relaxed journey or ‘original’ for the normal 52° experience.

All rides at Scenic World have been designed to maximise energy efficiency. Electricity
generated by the railway during its steep descent is then fed back into the grid, helping to offset the electricity used in its ascent.

Spectacular views

For panoramic views of the spectacular Blue Mountains landscape, the Scenic Skyway won’t disappoint. It’s the largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere and can carry 84 passengers every 10 minutes. Suspended 270 metres above the forest canopy, the Scenic Skyway takes passengers on a 720-metre journey between two cliff faces.

The smooth journey provides the best views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary and Jamison Valley. Best of all, the ancient rock formations, ravines and rainforest are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass cabin floor. But, for those who are nervous of heights, seating and solid flooring is also available.

Explore the rainforest

If you’d like to get a closer look at the sandstone cliffs, Scenic World’s 545 metre Scenic Cableway gently descends into the Jamison Valley. From the fully enclosed cabin you have a unique vantage point for viewing the renowned geology and geomorphology of the area. Another of Scenic World’s record-breaking attractions, it is the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Once you journey into depths of the Jamison Valley, you’ll disembark directly onto the Scenic Walkway. In 2000, Scenic World built this 500m elevated boardwalk as a way to stop the erosion caused by the existing walking tracks.

The Walkway immerses visitors in the temperate rainforest with minimal ecological impact. This area of rainforest is home to many species of native flora and fauna, some dating back to the Jurassic era, which is why it’s vitally important to protect it. No trees were damaged or removed during the construction of the walkway.

Visitor impact

Scenic World’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond the way they have engineered their attractions. It is accredited by Ecotourism Australia as a Green Travel Leader and regularly monitored by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Scenic World uses Who Gives a Crap toilet paper across all staff and public bathrooms which is 100% forest friendly and every roll provides a weeks’ access to a toilet for someone in need.

They installed a natural composting system in 2017 to processes organic waste which is then redirected to farms. Approximately 100 tonnes of organic waste will be diverted from landfill and turned into compost each year through this process.

Scenic World is also supporting the local economy by working with family-owned companies located in the Blue mountains for the food and beverage offering. The majority of their fruit and vegetables are sourced from NSW family-owned farms on a seasonal basis, Fairtrade coffee is provided by local outfit, The Little Coffee Company and all packaging, utensils, plates and cups are either biodegradable or compostable.

The company also donates food to Earth Recovery Australia once a week for their Soul Kitchen Sunday Lunch, held in Katoomba. These meals are made from food that would otherwise go to waste.

Where?

Website: https://www.scenicworld.com.au

Address: Violet St &, Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780

When?

Monday | 9am – 4pm

Friday | 10am – 4pm

Saturday and Sunday | 9am – 5pm