A luxe stay at Echoes in the Blue Mountains delivers unbeatable views

Drop your bags and absorb the incredible Jamison Valley views from your room at the luxe Echoes Blue Mountains.

From watching the rich sandstone of the Jamison Valley illuminated at sunrise and sunset to gazing at the mist drifting across the forest below on rainy days, Echoes Blue Mountains offers guests more than a luxury stay, it also showcases the magnificence of the Blue Mountains in high definition. Rooms with views, refined dining and elegant amenities all add to an escape that heavily suggests re-booking.

Location

Dramatic valley vistas await guests at this boutique hotel where the beauty of the Blue Mountains National Park unfurls from dawn to dusk in a parade of shifting colours and light.

the view of Jamison Valley from Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — Echoes Boutique Hotel looks out over the Jamison Valley.

Set on the escarpment at Echo Point in Katoomba, you’ll find averting your eyes from the landscape a hard task, but once you do, your close proximity to the charming mountain town places fantastic eateries, bushwalks and entertainment close at hand.

the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel at dusk — Check into the elegant Echoes Boutique Hotel.

Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney but totally immersed in nature, Echoes Boutique Hotel makes slipping into a relaxed state of mind entirely attainable for weekend jaunts.

the garden steps at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — Relax in the gardens that overlook the sprawling valley below.

Style and character

The incredible site at Echo Point has been occupied since the 1940s, when it was built as a retreat for Christian Nurses. Falling into disrepair in the ’80s, the homestead was eventually demolished and the three-storey Echoes guesthouse built in its place, embodying a contemporary style with Federation flourishes.

the cliff top gardens at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel, Katoomba — The three-storey boutique hotel embodies contemporary style with Federation flourishes.

Since then, there have been a handful of iterations of the guesthouse until it evolved into the luxurious 4.5-star boutique hotel it is today. Each room is bequeathed vast panoramas of the Jamison Valley beyond and the onsite restaurant and function room also make the most of the hotel’s extraordinary position on the precipice of the escarpment.

the corner view suite balcony overlooking the Blue Mountains — Every corner boasts panoramic views of the scenic Blue Mountains.

Facilities

Hedonistic pleasures are catered for here at the onsite day spa, where weary limbs can be indulged in massage therapy, soak therapy and other treatments to enhance wellbeing.

the couples treatment room at the day spa in Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — Get yourself pampered at the spa.

Naturally, with its boundlessly beautiful location, Echoes also caters to weddings, where the views may threaten to upstage the bride. There are also conference facilities for discerning corporate events.

the lobby and staircase at Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — The lobby features a majestic staircase.

While the hotel doesn’t have its own pool or gymnasium, guests are welcome to complimentary access to the facilities of next-door sister hotel, Lilianfels Resort & Spa.

Rooms

There are no bad rooms at Echoes, with each opening out onto that scene-stealing Blue Mountains panorama. Whether you’re in a Corner View, Suite or Cliff View, Deluxe View or Grand Deluxe View room, you’ll awake to serenity beyond.

scenic views of the Blue Mountains from the Cliff View Room Balcony, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — Take in the sweeping views of the Blue Mountains from your Cliff View balcony.

Elegantly styled in a contemporary aesthetic and mountain charm, every room is named after a notable Australian explorer and differs slightly in colour palette and furnishings.

a look inside the Corner View Suite, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — The Corner View Suite comes with contemporary furnishings.

All enjoy the expected mod-cons of a 4.5-star hotel, including wi-fi and Appelles bathroom products, marble bathrooms and rainhead showers.

the bathroom at the Cliff View Room, Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel — Complete with marble bathrooms, the Cliff View Room is a luxe lover’s dream.

Food and drink

Although Echoes’ attention-seeking vistas are an undeniable drawcard for a stay here, it’s not the only reason to check-in. The hotel is also home to the wonderfully worthy fine dining Echoes Restaurant and Bar, where guests and day-trippers can sit down to well-executed modern Australian fare, such as grass-fed Riverina lamb backstrap and five-spiced duck breast.

the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel restaurant terrace — Dine at Echoes Restaurant and Bar for incredible views and food to match.

Of course, meals are backdropped by that eye-drawing view and served alongside a fine wine list. Also open to non-guests, the popular restaurant can quickly fill up, so make sure you book ahead.

a close-up shot of the Echoes Blue Mountains Boutique Hotel restaurant terrace — Eye-drawing views provide scenic entertainment during your meal.

Experiences

Stays here are often aglow with the aura of a special occasion, be it a honeymoon, babymoon, event birthday or engagement, so to make the experience as special as possible, Echoes has a range of packages to lean into the moment. From an Indulgence Package to a Babymoon Package and Gourmet Getaway Package, these bundles ensure you don’t miss out on any of the best bits.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Unfortunately, there’s no access to rooms, suites or the restaurant for those with limited mobility.

Family-friendly?

The suites and grand deluxe rooms can sleep up to two adults and two children, however, while the hotel is family-friendly to a point, there’s not a lot to entertain young kids, making it more of a couple’s escape.

the external view of Echoes Boutique Hotel — Echoes Boutique Hotel is the perfect couple’s escape.

Details

While check in time isn’t until 3pm, on the flipside, you have until 11am to check out, which means you can enjoy those views from your bed with a lazy sleep in.

the corner view suite bedroom with a window — Enjoy the views from your bed.

Address: 3 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba; echoeshotel.com.au
Contact: (02) 4782 1966
Cost: Rates for the Deluxe View Room start at $386 per night.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .