Perched high in the heart of the Blue Mountains, Katoomba is the region’s most famous gateway town, blending natural grandeur with an old-world charm that feels like stepping into a living postcard. Its name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “shiny, tumbling waters,” a nod to the waterfalls that cascade through the surrounding valleys. At its edge lies the breathtaking Echo Point lookout, where the iconic Three Sisters rock formation stands tall, shrouded in legends of the Gundungurra and Darug peoples. On misty mornings, the Jamison Valley below looks like a rolling ocean of clouds, giving way to endless eucalyptus forests whose oils create the region’s trademark blue haze. Katoomba’s streets are lined with art deco architecture, quirky cafés, antique shops, and galleries, reflecting its history as a fashionable mountain retreat in the early 20th century. It’s a place where towering cliffs, Indigenous heritage, and small-town warmth meet.