Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Boarding the World’s Steepest Train
- A Walk Through the Ancient Rainforest
- The Old Mining Site – A Cool Surprise Beneath the Cliffs
- Dinosaur Valley – Fun for Kids, Nostalgia for Adults
- Back Toward the Surface
- Practical Tips
- The Beauty of Movement and Stillness
- Visitor Information
- Final Thoughts
📌 Introduction
This Blue Mountains Scenic Railway review shares my real experience riding the world’s steepest train at Scenic World in Katoomba. From breathtaking views to cool mining tunnels and playful Dinosaur Valley, it’s an adventure for all ages.
When I first boarded the Blue Mountains Scenic Railway, I didn’t expect to step into three completely different worlds in one visit — an exhilarating descent into a rainforest, a mysterious old mining site that feels frozen in time, and a playful Dinosaur Valley filled with roars that make kids squeal with joy. It’s more than just a train ride; it’s a journey through layers of history, imagination, and nature.
After exploring the Blue Mountains Scenic Skyway – My Honest Review, Café Stop, and Waterfall Walk earlier this year, I returned to Katoomba to experience the world’s steepest railway, and it was even more thrilling than I imagined.
Explore each section to plan your visit to the Blue Mountains Scenic Railway and nearby attractions like the Skyway and Echo Point.
📌 Boarding the World’s Steepest Train
The Blue Mountains Scenic Railway, part of Scenic World, drops you into the heart of the Jamison Valley at an angle of 52 degrees — steep enough to make your stomach flutter, but safe enough for all ages.
The carriages are compact, painted a bright red that stands out against the sandstone cliffs. Before departure, passengers choose between three seat settings: Cliffhanger, Laidback, or Original. Predictably, I chose Cliffhanger.
☝️Visitors waiting in line to board the world’s steepest train at Scenic World Katoomba (Photo by unniespicking.com)
As the train tilted forward and began to move, my heart raced. The tunnel closed in, the air grew cooler, and the sound of steel on track echoed through the darkness. Just as I started to adjust, daylight exploded ahead — the forest unfolded like a green curtain.
☝️Enjoying the stunning Blue Mountains scenery while riding down the world’s steepest train at Scenic World Katoomba. (Photo by unniespicking.com)
In less than two minutes, the train had dropped deep into the valley floor, but those moments felt suspended in time.
📌 A Walk Through the Ancient Rainforest
Stepping off the train, the first thing I noticed was the change in temperature — noticeably cooler, even in summer. The air felt thick and refreshing, filled with the earthy scent of ferns and wet soil.
The Scenic Walkway begins right at the platform, a gentle wooden trail winding through the lush rainforest. It’s easy to walk, suitable for families and older visitors alike.
Every few steps, sunlight filters through the leaves, creating shifting patterns on the ground. Birdsong echoes between tall tree trunks, and the sound of distant water trickles somewhere unseen. It’s one of those places where time seems to slow down, where even breathing feels cleaner.
If you’ve been to Korea’s Seoraksan or Jirisan, imagine their dense forest paths — but add a prehistoric silence and a touch of Australian wildness.
📌 The Old Mining Site – A Cool Surprise Beneath the Cliffs
Halfway along the walkway, signs point toward the historic coal mine entrance, part of the original 19th-century mining operation that gave birth to the Scenic Railway. The entrance is a dark opening framed by weathered wooden beams. As you step closer, a cool breeze flows from within — natural air conditioning that feels heavenly on a hot summer day.
☝️Exploring the old mining site near the rainforest trail, with cool air and 19th-century timber structures. (Photo by unniespicking.com)
Even when the temperature outside is above 30°C, the mining tunnel stays comfortably chilly. You can almost feel the ghosts of miners who once worked here, pushing coal carts and carving tunnels with bare hands.
Interpretive panels explain the history: how the mine opened in the late 1800s, operated for decades, and eventually transformed into the tourist railway we ride today. It’s humbling — standing in that cool shade, realizing that what now feels like an adventure once began as backbreaking labor.
📌 Dinosaur Valley – Fun for Kids, Nostalgia for Adults
Further along the walkway, a new attraction bursts into view — the Dinosaur Valley. You’ll hear it before you see it: the deep growls, the shrill screeches, and the laughter of children echoing through the trees.
☝️Animated dinosaur figure in Dinosaur Valley surrounded by rainforest ferns, a favourite for kids. (Photo by unniespicking.com)
Giant animatronic dinosaurs appear between the ferns — a T-Rex turning its head, a Triceratops blinking lazily, a Stegosaurus wagging its tail. For adults, it may feel a little cheesy, maybe even out of place among such ancient natural beauty. But for kids? It’s magic.
☝️ 2 figures in Dinosaur Valley surrounded by rainforest ferns, a favourite for kids. (Photo by unniespicking.com)
I watched families walk the trail together — parents pointing out the creatures while little ones posed bravely for photos. There was something heartwarming about the contrast: millions of years of natural evolution on one side, and a child’s imagination roaring back to life on the other.
Even as an adult, I couldn’t help but smile when a motion sensor triggered a sudden dinosaur roar behind me. The little boy nearby squealed, then started laughing so hard that the entire group joined in.
From the valley floor, when you look up, you can even spot the distant cliffs near Blue Mountains Echo Point – Three Sisters Lookout & Cliff Walk Experience, where the iconic Three Sisters rise above the mist. It’s amazing how both places — the calm lookout and the thrilling Railway — show two completely different faces of the same valley.
📌 Back Toward the Surface
After exploring the mining site and Dinosaur Valley, I decided to take the Scenic Railway back up instead of using the Cableway. Going upward feels like an entirely different adventure — you lean back, watching the forest recede beneath you and the light grow brighter until, suddenly, you burst out of the tunnel into the open sky.
That moment, when the valley falls away and sunlight fills the carriage, feels almost cinematic. The ride lasts only a couple of minutes, but it’s unforgettable.
📌 Practical Tips
- Go Early in the Day: Lines for the Railway and Dinosaur Valley grow longer after noon.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Walkway is easy, but you’ll want to explore side trails.
- Bring a Light Jacket: The valley and mining areas stay cool, even in midsummer.
- Let Kids Lead the Way: Dinosaur Valley is best enjoyed through their excitement.
- Ride Both Directions: Downhill for thrill, uphill for the view.
📌 The Beauty of Movement and Stillness
The beauty of the Scenic Railway experience isn’t only the ride itself — it’s what happens after. Walking among ferns, feeling the drop in temperature, seeing sunlight dance through mist — it all reminds you that nature doesn’t need to shout to impress.
It also made me think of home. In Korea, a family trip to Seoraksan might involve a cable car, shared snacks, and the sound of chatter filling the mountain air. In the Blue Mountains, the mood is quieter. People move slowly, whispering, listening. Both cultures love mountains — one celebrates them socially, the other spiritually.
Maybe that’s why I love both so much.
📌Visitor Information
Official Site: https://www.scenicworld.com.au
Tourism Info: https://www.bluemts.com.au
Tickets (2025):
- Adult: around AUD 55
- Child: around AUD 30
- Family passes available
Parking is free, and public transport from Sydney is easy — take a train to Katoomba Station, then Bus 686 or the Explorer Bus to Scenic World.
📌 Final Thoughts
This Blue Mountains Scenic Railway review turned out to be more than a description of a ride. It’s about how one place can hold so many layers — history carved in rock, forests that breathe with life, and new memories born among roaring dinosaurs.
If you’re travelling with family, it’s a perfect balance of thrill and calm. Kids will love the dinosaurs, adults will love the quiet rainforest walk, and everyone will appreciate the cool, refreshing air that wraps around the old mining tunnels.
When I left the valley, my shoes were dusty, my heart was full, and I felt that same mixture of wonder and peace I always find in the Blue Mountains. In a way, this place reminds me of home in Korea — both are proof that mountains have a way of humbling us, no matter where we stand.
If you’re planning a full Blue Mountains day trip, try combining the Railway with the Blue Mountains Scenic Skyway or a peaceful stop at Echo Point and the Three Sisters Lookout. Together, they form a perfect circle — thrill, stillness, and reflection.
Riding the world’s steepest railway made me think of how smoothly public transport connects everything in Korea.
If you’re planning a trip to Seoul next, our Seoul Subway Guide 2025 and Taxis in Korea 2025 will help you navigate the city just as effortlessly.
External Links:
- Official Scenic World: https://www.scenicworld.com.au
- Blue Mountains Visitor Info: https://www.bluemts.com.au
Internal Links (Korean Travel):