Directions
Varuna is located at 141 Cascade St, Katoomba. Please note that Varuna is a residential writers’ retreat, and is generally not open to the public. For directions to Varuna via train, car or on foot, please click here for downloadable version.
Train: Sydney to Katoomba
Trains to Katoomba depart from Central Station, Sydney. If you arriving at Sydney airport, you can catch a train from Sydney Airport to Central Station.
Trains leave from Central Station about once every hour at off-peak times and weekends, and more frequently during peak hours. The journey to Katoomba takes two hours, and departs from the intercity platforms area of Central Station. Trains with destinations of Mount Victoria, Lithgow or Katoomba all stop at Katoomba. The station that precedes Katoomba is Leura.
For more information and to plan your train trip, click here or phone the Transport NSW Infoline on 131 500.
Once you alight at Katoomba, exit the station on the town side and catch a taxi from here to Varuna. The station has a lift to street level and the taxi rank is just outside the station on the town side. It's a short, cheap trip (about $10) and the taxi drivers usually know where Varuna is - 141 Cascade St, Katoomba. Tell the driver that it's fine to go up the driveway if they hesitate. Alternatively, it is a 20-minute walk down the hill from Katoomba station to Varuna.
Note: Scheduled track work and train shutdown periods* scheduled for May 20-31, September 2-13 and October 28 to 8 November, 2019. To confirm this or check other track work details please phone Katoomba station on 02-4782 1902. *Buses will replace trains but there might be variations to the timetable.
BUS: Sydney to Katoomba
Buses to Katoomba leave from Sydney Domestic Airport and Sydney Central on Mondays. Return trip to Sydney via bus departs from the Katoomba Railway Station - Goldsmith Place (North Side).
For more information and to plan your trip, visit Australian Wide Coaches - Timetable. Bookings are made via the Australian Wide Coaches website, click on Express Service and select Book Now
Driving: Sydney to Katoomba
Driving from Sydney is simple: find your way to the M4 motorway, or the Great Western Highway, and stay on it until you reach Katoomba.
Once you reach Katoomba, follow the signs to turn left into the town from the highway, crossing the railway line. Turn right at the roundabout, and then left into Cascade Street. Varuna is at the bottom of this long street, at number 141 (on your right, just past Sherman Avenue). Enter the winding driveway until you reach the house. Feel free to unpack your car in front of the house and then later move your car to the car park past the house.
Katoomba Station to Varuna: Walking
Varuna is a 20-minute walk from Katoomba Station. The simplest route is to exit the station on the town side, and walk down Katoomba Street (the main town street), crossing at Waratah, Edward and Little George Streets until you come to Abbotsford Road. Turn right into Abbotsford Road, and follow the road as it bends left and then right into Warialda Street. Turn left at Cascade Street. You will see Varuna's main driveway entrance (with large sign at the gate) about 200 metres down Cascade Street on your right, just past Sherman Avenue. On foot, however, Varuna is best entered via the exit driveway on Sherman Avenue, the street on the right. Two houses along, from the corner of Cascade Street and Sherman Avenue, you will see Varuna's exit driveway and the front of the yellow two-storey house up ahead. Simply follow the driveway in.