Empress Canyon: The Ultimate Beginner’s Canyoning Experience

Empress Canyon, located in the Blue Mountains, offers an unforgettable canyoning experience that’s perfect for beginners and exhilarating for seasoned adventurers alike. Journey through lush, ancient rainforest as you leap from rock ledges ranging from 2 to 5 meters high (optional), swim in refreshing mountain waters, and marvel at the canyon's stunning sculpted rock formations. The adventure culminates in a thrilling 30-metre abseil down a breathtaking waterfall!

Your adventure begins by gearing up in a warm wetsuit, harness, backpack, and helmet. Our skilled guides will provide a safety briefing and abseil training, ensuring everyone feels confident and prepared to explore the canyon's depths.

As you trek through Empress Canyon, you’ll be captivated by its beauty, scrambling over boulders, plunging into crystal-clear pools, and spotting vibrant orange crayfish below. This tour is one of the best ways to discover the hidden wonders of the Blue Mountains—a journey into the wild that everyone should experience!

Difficulty: Suitable for first time canyoners.

Requirements: A moderate level of fitness, full mobility, good general health. Must be comfortable in water.

Expectations: Adventurous activities are tough – you must expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired and scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of your group and checking they meet the fitness requirements.

Length: Approximately 3-4 hours

Availability: September to April.

Included: All canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide, safety instruction including abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: Bus parking area outside – The Conservation Hut Cafe, Fletcher St, Wentworth falls.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• 30m Waterfall abseil
• Short swims
• Rock jumps up to 5m

Katoomba Abseiling Adventure - A beginner abseiling tour on the Narrow Neck Plateau in the Blue Mountains.

Experience the thrill of abseiling against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains! Our beginner-friendly single-pitch tour at Narrow Neck Plateau is ideal for families, team-building, or anyone seeking adventure with breathtaking panoramic views.

Under the guidance of our expert instructors, you'll take your first steps over the edge at your own pace. Start with gentle 5-metre cliffs to build your confidence, then choose to tackle exciting 15-metre descents before culminating in an exhilarating 30-meter overhanging abseil.

With the dramatic Megalong Valley plunging below, each abseil offers a unique thrill and stunning vistas, allowing for individual choice and encouraging you to challenge yourself.

Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with thrilling descents and spectacular views that will leave you wanting more!

Difficulty: Suitable for beginners.

Length: Approximately 4 hours.

Included: All canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide and safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• 6-8 Abseils
• Short walk back to the top
• Beautiful views

With our Abseiling and Empress Canyon Combo you can quench your thirst for adventure! Learn to abseil on a 5m wall, work up to a 15m abseil and then conquer the 30m pitch to finish off the morning. 

Cool off in the afternoon with a spectacular canyon trip. The trip includes lunch, all abseiling and canyoning equipment and we will provide you with all the training and instruction. The canyon involves multiple rock jumps from heights up to 2m, short swims and finishes with a jaw dropping 30m abseil down a waterfall and into a rock pool at the bottom. 

Difficulty: Suitable for first time canyoners.

Requirements: A moderate level of fitness, full mobility, good general health. Must be comfortable in water.

Expectations: Adventurous activities are tough – you must expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired and scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of your group and checking they meet the fitness requirements.

Length: Approximately 6-7 hours.

Included: Lunch, all canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide and safety instruction including abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: As per confirmation email, by default – Narrow Neck Lookout, Cliff Drive, Katoomba.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Half day abseiling
• Half day canyoning
• 6-8 Abseils
• Easy walk back to the top
• 30 metre waterfall abseil

Butterbox Canyon Adventure Tour

Embark on a challenging descent into Butterbox Canyon, where adventure awaits at every turn. This intermediate-to-advanced canyoning tour features seven thrilling abseils, including two dramatic 20-meter drops into the deepest part of the slot canyon—one of which takes you through a cascading waterfall. Along the way, experience rock jumps, steep climbs, and stunning views of the Blue Mountains.

The day concludes with a steep hike out, offering breathtaking vistas of the Grose Valley. This physically demanding yet rewarding tour is designed for those ready to test their limits and discover the raw beauty of the Blue Mountains.

Is this canyon for me?

Difficulty: Requires a high level of fitness.
The exit involves uphill hiking with a pack and a small rock climb.
Previous canyoning/abseiling/hiking experience will be beneficial. You
must be able to answer yes to the following questions:

• Can you swim short distances/ are you comfortable in water?
• Do you exercise regularly and/or have a physically active job?
• Are you in good shape and/or have good stamina?
• Are you capable of walking up steep inclines and on rocky and uneven
  terrain, while carrying a pack, for an extended period of time?

Expectations: Adventurous activities are tough – you must expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired and scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of your group and checking they meet the fitness requirements.

Length: Approximately 8-9 hours

Availability: September to April.

Included: Lunch, all canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide, safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: Corner of Mt Hay Rd and Britan St, Leura.

Arriving by train? Pickup from nearby Leura Train Station can be requested when booking.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• 7 Abseils
• Short swims
• Rock jumps up to 8 metres
• Narrow constrictions
• Epic scenery

This canyon has been described as one of the most beautiful places in Australia.

Claustral canyon is a beautiful, deep and sustained slot canyon in the Blue Mountains. It boasts a rich environment, full of life and greenery, towering sandstone walls and intricate rock architecture.

You will be amazed at what this canyon has to offer. Multiple abseils through the unique chambers of the 'Black hole of Calcutta' will see you descend into the depths of the canyon. After moving through twists and turns the canyon opens into the breathtaking 'Green Room', where nearly every surface is covered in moss, ferns and illuminated with rays of sunlight. The perfect spot for a stunning nature photo!

A detour up a side canyon will even provide the chance to see glow worms!

This canyon is very long and involves lots of hiking, swimming, scrambling, climbing and rock jumps. You should be prepared for a long, uphill exit hike of 2.5 - 4 hours with a pack. People who are fit, keen and are looking for a big adventure will find this to be one of the most rewarding canyoning tours available.

Is this canyon for me?

You and all members of your party must have previously completed one of our Canyoning Tours before and been deemed suitable for Claustral Canyon.

You and everyone in your party must be able to answer yes to the following questions:

• Can you swim short distances/ are you comfortable in water?
• Do you exercise regularly and/or have a physically active job?
• Are you in good shape and/or have good stamina?
• Are you capable of walking up steep inclines and on rocky and uneven
  terrain, while carrying a pack, for an extended period of time?

Expectations: Adventurous activities are tough – you must expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired and scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of
your group and checking they meet the fitness requirements.

Difficulty: Suitable only for very fit people. Must be prepared for an extremely long uphill hike after a long canyon.

Length: Approximately 8 to 12 hours.

Availability: During daylights savings time only.

Included: Lunch, all necessary canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide, safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: Corner of Bells Line of Road and Rainbow Ravine Road.

Recommended Lead-up adventures:

• Butterbox Canyon

This exciting adventure consists of:

• 4 Abseils
• Short swims
• Abseil through the Black Holes of Calcutta
• Narrow constrictions
• Incredible scenery

Grand Canyon Adventure: Explore Nature’s Hidden Gem
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon in the Blue Mountains, a unique canyoning experience that combines adventure with stunning scenery. This lesser-known gem offers a scenic, hiking-focused alternative for those looking to explore a long, winding canyon formation.
Begin Your Journey: Your adventure starts at the Neates Glen car park, about two hours west of Sydney. From there, hike steeply down through lush temperate rainforest and past impressive rock formations, preparing to don your wetsuit, helmet, and harness for the journey ahead.
Experience the Canyon: As you begin your descent, enjoy a thrilling 20-meter abseil into the cool canyon, where you’ll find beautifully sculpted sandstone walls and vibrant greenery. The winding path through the canyon allows for plenty of swimming, scrambling over rocks, and marveling at the striking orange crayfish. This area is a living remnant of Gondwana vegetation, providing a glimpse into Australia’s ancient past.
Stunning Views Await: As you make your way back out, be rewarded with spectacular views at Evans Lookout, showcasing the dramatic cliffs and lush valleys of the Blue Mountains.

Difficulty: Suitable for beginners, families or those wanting an experience with minimal abseiling.

Requirements: Moderate level of fitness, full mobility, good general health, comfortable in water and good hiking fitness.

Expectations: Adventurous activities are tough – you must expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired and scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of your group and checking they meet the fitness requirements.

Length: Approximately 4 hours.

Included: All canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide, safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: Neates Glen car park, 215 Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Easy abseil
• Short swims
• See the famous Grose Valley
• Narrow constrictions
• Incredible scenery

With our Malaita Wall Multi-Pitch Abseil and Empress Canyon Combo you can quench your thirst for adventure! 

Negotiate your way through our multi-pitch abseiling expedition in the morning and cool off in the afternoon with a spectacular canyon trip. This tour includes lunch, all abseiling and canyoning equipment and we will provide you with all the training and instruction. 

The multi-pitch abseiling involves 6 abseils from heights up to 45m. The canyon involves multiple rock jumps from heights up to 5m, short swims and finishes with a jaw dropping 30m abseil down a waterfall and into a rock pool at the bottom.

Difficulty: Suitable for beginners that are comfortable around heights.

Requirements: Moderate level of fitness, good general health, comfortable in water.

Length: Approximately 6-7 hours.

Included: Lunch, all canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide, safety instruction including abseiling techniques.

Meeting location: Bus parking area at the Corner of Cliff Dr & Violet St, Katoomba.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Beautiful views
• 6 Abseils
• 30m Waterfall abseil
• Short swims
• Rock jumps up to 5m

Boars Head Multi-pitch Abseiling Adventure:

This tour is a half day activity which consists of 3 abseils from up to 25 metres, over 200m of cliff traversing and short rock climbs.
The circuit takes you halfway down the escarpment overlooking the spectacular Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains. The views will leave you speechless as you traverse and descend through the “Crack”, this is a hair raising moment as there is nothing but air below your feet!

Difficulty: Suitable for beginners who are comfortable around heights.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Included: All canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide and safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Basic Rock climbing
• Cliff Traversing
• 3 Abseils
• Short walk back to the top
• Beautiful views

Huge abseils and stunning views. Conquer your fear of heights with this high adrenalin and altitude tour. No experience is required.

Malaita Wall is an awe-inspiring wedge of rock on the edge of Katoomba where we do our abseiling. From the top of the Jamison Valley cliffs that stand about 1000m above sea level – with magical views across to The Three Sisters, Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary – we start our descent of more than 200m to the ancient rainforest of the valley floor far below. The first abseil drop is a breathtaking 45m followed by 28m, 35m, 35m, 12m and then another 35m abseil to finish things off. As you descend you’ll be surrounded by the special flora, fauna, geology, scenic splendour and Aboriginal legends that earned the Blue Mountains World Heritage status in 2000.

Difficulty: Suitable for beginners who are comfortable around heights.

Length: Approximately 4 hours.

Included: All canyoning equipment, qualified canyoning guide and safety instruction including on abseiling techniques.

Meeting Location: Bus parking area at the corner of Cliff Dr & Violet St, Katoomba.

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Abseil #1: 45m
• Abseil #2: 28m
• Abseil #3: 35m
• Abseil #4: 35m
• Abseil #5: 12m
• Abseil #6: 35m

Departing from Woolloomoolloo, just a short walk away from the Sydney CBD, this tour will show you the major landmarks of Sydney from the water including the Garden Island Naval Base, Mrs Macquaries Chair, Fort Denison, Kirribilli House, with a great photo opportunity in front of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. 

Our informative local guides will tell you everything you would like to know about Sydney and its history, and send you home with some great memories and photos of your day out on the water!

This exciting adventure consists of:

• Sydney’s most famous highlights
• Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
• Fully guided by locals
• Departs from The Domain
• Digital photos included