The iconic Three Sisters of the Blue Mountains

Under the azure sky stand the three stone pillars, naturally formed by soil erosion. Sunlight coats them golden and glittering. The spots of green vegetation on the rocky cliffs and the surrounding valley provide a picturesque backdrop, like a masterful work of art painted by the hand of nature.
When in Sydney, travel 50 kilometers northwest to the rugged mountain ranges of the Blue Mountains. Then head straight to Jamison Valley, to an escarpment on the north. There, at Echo Point, you have a magnificent vantage point to view up close to the storied Three Sisters.
Three towering rock pillars standing on a sandstone bedrock are named Three Sisters: Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo. The strange-looking sandstone formation has been a cultural and iconic landmark of Katoomba and the heart of Blue Mountains tours and sightseeing adventures.

Some Tour legend "Three Sisters"

Natural elements such as wind, rain, and Jamison Valley’s waterways caused the soft sandstone’s wear away. The three stone pillars, the tallest Meehni at 922 meters, gradually formed as time passed. The shortest is Gunnedoo, standing 906 meters tall, and in the middle stands Wimlah at 918 meters high. Aboriginal myths, legends, and stories shrouded the Three Sisters. Some stories were created to arouse the visitors’ interest in Katoomba’s locality. It was said a witch doctor turned the three sisters into stone. They’re supposed to marry young men from another tribe. But traditional tribal laws had forbidden them. Out of youthful passion, the young men abducted the sisters which stirred a violent war between tribes. A Katoomba witch doctor wanted to protect the ladies by petrifying them. Unfortunately, the witch was killed in the war. Today, the three sisters stand as a reminder to both the locals and Blue Mountains tours adventurers alike regarding the futility of wars. Of course, the story is made up by a Katoomba local circulated in the 1920s and 1930s. Whatever the legends tell, these rocks were formed by nature for millions of years. You can have a bush walk on the trail connecting Echo Point and the Three Sisters down into the valley floor. They call the trail Giant Stairway. Upon reaching the valley floor, stroll down a little further via the Federal Pass for around an hour and a half to reach Katoomba Falls. If you feel climbing back to the escarpment would be too much, you can opt to take the Katoomba Scenic Railway for some extra dollars.

Today, the three sisters stand as a reminder to both the locals and Blue Mountains tours adventurers alike regarding the futility of wars. Of course, the story is made up by a Katoomba local circulated in the 1920s and 1930s. Whatever the legends tell, these rocks were formed by nature for millions of years. You can have a bush walk on the trail connecting Echo Point and the Three Sisters down into the valley floor. They call the trail Giant Stairway. Upon reaching the valley floor, stroll down a little further via the Federal Pass for around an hour and a half to reach Katoomba Falls. If you feel climbing back to the escarpment would be too much, you can opt to take the Katoomba Scenic Railway for some extra dollars. Reflect on the mysteriously fascinating beauty of the Three Sisters. By day, the sun gives them color. By night, floodlights are projected against the rocks. The result is a spectacular view of the sisters against the backdrop of a dark night sky. Behind the Three Sisters, Mount Solitary stands in solitude, surrounded by the verdure rainforests and the rugged canyons of the Blue Mountains. A trip to Katoomba to see the iconic landmark is sure to be a magical Blue Mountains tour experience.

Why Sydney Wildlife company

Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique and beautiful wildlife tours. A tour of Australia’s wildlife is the perfect way to see these amazing creatures up close and personal.
Many types of wildlife tours are available in Australia with Wildlife Tours, from wine-tasting tours in the Hunter Valley to Sydney tours that take you around the city to see the sights. One of the most popular types of tours is the Blue Mountains Sunset Tour, which takes you through the stunning Blue Mountains National Park to see the sunset over the Sydney skyline.
No matter what type of tour you choose, you’re sure to have an amazing experience seeing some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife up close and personal.
By Kelvin Requiroso, content writer and member of the team of the Melbourne-based Get Lost Travel Group.

Post-Last Modified 16/11/2022

Related Tours

Nature / Adventure

1 Day Blue Mountains Tour

Join this Blue Mountains Sunset Tour and avoid the crowds! See the highlights of the Blue Mountains — Experience stunning views and magnificent waterfalls.

165 AUD

Ultimate East Coast Discovery

16 Day Best of East Coast Australia Tour from Sydney

Travel Australia’s east coast in 16 days from Sydney to Cairns. Taste wine in the Hunter Valley, relax in Byron Bay, explore K’gari by 4WD, sail the Whitsundays, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and walk the Daintree Rainforest. Boutique small-group touring included.

Sydney to Brisbane Tour

8 Day Sydney to Brisbane with Fraser Island Comfort Tour

Travel Australia’s east coast in 8 days from Sydney to Brisbane. Taste wines in Hunter Valley, visit Port Macquarie’s Koala Hospital, chill in Byron Bay, explore Noosa and tour K’gari (Fraser Island) by 4WD. Small-group comfort style with handpicked stays.

Local Food Wine

1 Day Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Join our Hunter Valley Wine Tours to sip, slurp, and sample your way through the region on an interactive and informative day of indulgence!

K'gari & Whitsunday Islands

14 Day Sydney to Cairns Tour – Fraser Island, Whitsundays

Travel Australia’s east coast in 14 days from Sydney to Cairns. Taste wines in the Hunter Valley, visit Byron Bay, explore K’gari by 4WD, cruise the Whitsundays and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Boutique small-group touring with handpicked stays.