If you’ve ever been to the Blue Mountains, you know it’s got more than one claim to fame. There are quaint towns with historic buildings, industry-leading restaurants pushing the envelope and unique stays rivalling accommodation around the world.
Soak in views over the Jamison Valley along the way. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)
Officially launched on 24 March by the NSW NPWS and Blue Mountains City Council, the Grand Cliff Top Walk connects the charming towns of Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.
Traversing 19 kilometres, the trek begins at Darwins Walk from the Wilson Park picnic area, follows a path past gushing Wentworth Falls, through majestic ancient forest and along cliff-edge tracks, ending at Scenic World in Katoomba.
Admire Wentworth Falls as it gushes into the valley. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)
The walk blends older tracks with newly built trails that offer a different perspective, now connected by missing links. The NPWS has been opening it in stages as they’re completed, but it is now available as one continuous two-day hike.
Throughout the build and restoration of the walk, safety has remained a high priority. Timber steps along the track have been replaced with sandstone ones, ensuring bushfire resistance and supporting the region’s heritage values. Handrails have also been installed where necessary for safety.
Handrails have been installed for safety. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)
Although the Grand Cliff Top Walk is designed to be completed across two days, there are plenty of adjoining tracks that allow hikers to come and go as they please. But for those going all the way, you won’t have to rough it.
The Grand Cliff Top Walk has been purposefully built close to nearby towns. Why not spend the night at one of many cute country stays in Leura, which roughly marks halfway? This means camping equipment and heavy rucksacks can be left at home, too.
Spend a luxe countryside stay at the Orchard Cottage.
Visitors travelling to the region can also extend their trip to experience everything else the Blue Mountains has to offer.
“We urge visitors and walkers who experience the Grand Cliff Top Walk, on a guided tour or self-guided walk, to explore our villages along the way with their unique Art Deco buildings, colourful boutique cafes, restaurants and shops," says Trish Doyle, Blue Mountains MP.
There are many things to do in Katoomba, the charming town where the hike ends. Put some time aside to visit Scenic World, hit the shops or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Lilianfels. Or head to a Blue Mountains spa to soak away those post-hike aches and pains.
Pass through the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Skyway cabin. (Image: Destination NSW)
Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be supporting an industry that needs it.
“The walk will boost the economic value of nature-based tourism in the region by attracting more domestic and international visitors and more overnight stays," says Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.
The project, which cost the NSW Government a cool $10 million, is anticipated to increase visitation to the region by 50,000 per year. It may seem like a lot of money, but it’s a huge investment for a region so deserving. And the views along the way – well, they’re priceless.
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.
Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.
From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.
From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)
Central Coast oyster experiences
From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.
But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.
Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.
Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)
Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.
Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)
Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit
While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.
Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.
Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .
If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.
Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)
Organic dining
What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.
The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.
Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.
See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.
Paddock-to-plate dining
High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.
Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.
Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)
Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.
Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.
Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)
