10 Best Blue Mountains Cabins To Escape To

Cosy retreats don’t get more idyllic than these cabins in the Blue Mountains.

Regardless of the season, a cabin in the Blue Mountains will provide a perfect change of scene. Now you’ve scoped out which town you’d like to stay in, here are some of our favourite Blue Mountains cabin options to rent when you need to escape the city to a nature-ensconced retreat.

1. Cuyong Cottage, Katoomba

This charming Federation cottage has a modern, minimalist interior with all-white and wood décor, pretty stained glass windows and French doors that open onto a flower-filled garden. The home offers space for six adults, has a back porch for barbecues and offers all the amenities you’d expect from a Superhost. If you love to cook, Cuyong Cottage has a dreamy kitchen and vegetable garden. As well as being within a cooee of Katoomba’s Echo Point, the cottage is within walking distance of restaurants, bars and pubs.

2. MontPierre Mountain Cottage in Kurrajong Heights

This is one of the most character-filled Blue Mountains’ cabins we’ve seen on Airbnb. It’s a riot of colour and personality that is at once quirky, comfortable and cosy. Enter through an antique garden gate to access MontPierre Mountain Cottage, which is tucked away in the picturesque village of Kurrajong Heights. Outside, you’ll find a wood-fired pizza oven, day bed, outdoor bathtub and private guest terrace with regional views.

3. Eco Woolshed, Blackheath

This rustic Eco Woolshed cabin manages to avoid cringy Australiana tchotchkes even though it has accents that have a distinctly Aussie twang. For instance, although there’s an inordinate amount of corrugated iron and timber in use, the architecturally designed eco cabins still manage to be bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows that open out onto a deck with dreamy views. There are just two eco cabins on the 100-hectare property, which looks out over the blue-hued mountains and bony escarpment that backdrops Blackheath.

4. Piccolino, Wolgan Valley

Although it’s tiny in stature, Piccolino punches above its weight in terms of its location and amenities. In fact, the private retreat maximises its footprint by squeezing in as much amenity as it can into a small space, which encourages guests to focus on those expansive bush views. Proximity to local attractions is another draw as the property is near to a glow worm tunnel, Newnes Ruins and ancient Indigenous rock art at Mayingu Marragu. The artfully styled tiny house has a fire pit and more than 40 hectares of land to explore on foot or by bike.

5. The Dream Cabin

The Dream Cabin looks like it might have been designed by Dr. Seuss. Blending corrugated iron with polished concrete and rustic timber beams, the whimsical light-filled cabin also features a hanging chair and ceiling festooned with fairy lights. The Dream Cabin has an outside shower and separate bath house with a hot tub and views over Bowen’s Creek Gorge from the lofted bedroom, which is accessed via a ladder. Enjoy a walk to Bowen’s Creek or kick off your shoes and curl up by the fireplace.

6. Cooee Cottage, Katoomba

Cooee Cottage is the definition of dinky. And if we were to judge it on its exterior alone, the diminutive dwelling with wrap-around verandah would be given a gold star. The 112-year-old weatherboard residence looks like it has been dipped in Dulux Emerald Delight, a colour that is coded complimentary to the surrounding greenery. The Katoomba cottage is in a quiet setting not far from the train station and town centre and the option to light a fire in cooler weather is a welcome extra. It’s a very homey vibe indeed.

7. Logan Brae Retreats, Megalong Valley

The Machinery Shed on the Shipley Plateau regularly ranks in the Top 3 most wish-listed Airbnbs in Australia.

The Machinery Shed regularly ranks in the Top 3 most wish-listed Airbnbs in Australia.

As one of four luxury accommodation options at Logan Brae Retreats, one of the biggest selling points of the tastefully restored machinery shed is its eye-catching design followed by the fact it’s located on a 100-year-old working apple orchard. Fight for who gets first dibs on the outdoor treetop tub, which is hidden amid the trees and the perfect place to unwind.

Lounge area inside Machinery Shed at Logan Brae Retreats Blue Mountains — Take in your surroundings from the comfort of the lounge.

8. Cloud Parade, Katoomba

This Katoomba house is blessed with great natural light. But the real bonus at Cloud Parade is the view over the Three Sisters and Mt Solitary. The designer home, which is set on a bony ridge of the iconic escarpment, is also in the flight path of passing clouds. Pick up a copy of The Cloud Collector’s Handbook so you have an excuse to stay glued to the lounge near the fireplace in the living room to identify every cloud that floats by and tick them off your checklist. Extra points are awarded for anoraks who spot the oh-so-rare mammatus.

9. Nungaroo Cottage, Bilpin

Grab your nearest flannelette-clad faux lumberjack and make them earn their stripes by chopping firewood for the combustion fire that is at the heart of this classic timber slab mountain retreat. Guests keen to relax indoors can crawl into the lofted bed at Nungaroo Cottage which is encircled by cool-climate gardens and quiet bushland. The owners of Nungaroo Cottage are Bilpin’s very own Dr Dolittles and there is all manner of animals — including rescue horses and donkeys – that will give you a sneak peek of the rural idyll.

10. The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley

Be the envy of all your friends by being the first to book a weekend in The Hilltop Cabin , which has flung open its doors from its lofty position on the highest point of the Kanimbla Valley.

View of the pool deck at The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley — Slip into your private mineral healing plunge pool to watch the sunset.

Picture this: a private mineral healing plunge pool off the cabin deck; a cargo net hammock to wallow in; a stone bath with sweeping views and an open fire.

The stone bath at The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley — Soak up the views and the relaxing vibes in the stone bath.

The cabin is modelled on a traditional American log cabin, albeit with luxurious touches. Use the cabin as a base to explore the landscape which is home to kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies.

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

10 cosy Blue Mountains cabins to escape to now