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, via the BMT (Blue Mountains Train) line. It takes two and a half hours and costs about $10. If you’re arriving at Sydney Airport, you can catch a train from Sydney Airport to Central Station. The BMT leaves from Central Station about once every hour at off-peak times and weekends, and more frequently during peak hours. You can check train times using the NSW transport trip planner. You can use your debit card to tap on and off at the card readers at each station; it’s super convenient.
For more information and to plan your train trip, click here or phone the Transport NSW Infoline on 131 500.
Once at Katoomba, you can either book a Taxi from Katoomba station to pick you up, or there is a Taxi rank located on Bathurst Rd next to the Station Bar Woodfire Pizza place. The station has a lift to street level. 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 to Varuna. If you get really stuck, call the office and one of us will come and collect you.
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.
WALKING: KATOOMBA STATION TO VARUNA
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.