10 charming country stays in Leura to escape to now

Lara Picone Lara Picone
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From a retreat in a historic nunnery to sprawling resorts and contemporary builds with jaw-dropping views, Leura accommodation is bursting with country charm from all angles.

The stunning Blue Mountains region is a natural playground for all seasons, from frosty winter escapes to wildflower walks come spring, admiring changing leaves in autumn and relishing the cool summer breeze. Charming and historic Leura is a beautiful base from which to explore nearby towns and national parks. With adorable cottages set in manicured gardens, Leura accommodation is all about country charm, both contemporary and restored. Here’s our pick of the best stays.

1. Greenleaf Cottage

Best for: Rekindling romance and enjoying the town centre.
$$$

This gorgeous, two-bedroom cottage has been tenderly renovated throughout with a respect for the dwelling’s original style, while bringing a more contemporary feel.

the living room door opened at Greenleaf Cottage, Leura
The bright and airy dining space overflows onto the deck.

A luxe Victoria + Albert bath begs to be slipped into and the incredible kitchen suggests dinner enjoyed in, while a cosy fireplace clinches the deal for a cosy night spent by flickering flames. A generous 1pm checkout time makes this Leura Mall spot perfect for weekend escapes.

the exterior of Greenleaf Cottage, Leura
Slip into the charming and cosy Greenleaf Cottage.

2. Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Best for: Those looking for an all-in-one escape to suit everyone from couples to families and groups.
$$$$

Part of the M Gallery collection, this sprawling resort is angled to take in dramatic Jamison Valley views in the World-Heritage Blue Mountains National Park.

the pool at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
Unwind in the pool at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

The captivating backdrop sets the scene for a stay attuned to the finer things, such as elegant dining and bars, the Ubika Day Spa, 18-hole golf club, indoor and outdoor pools and gymnasium. The vast resort also caters to families with school holiday programs, a Kidszone and ice-skating rink.

women relaxing at Ubika Day Spa inside the Fairmont Resort &Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains
Relax in the pristine surrounds at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Brightlands Retreat, Leura

Best for: Those seeking to rest, recover and restore.
$$$$

Set in a breathtakingly beautiful and historic nunnery, this retreat will enliven tired souls with fresh mountain air and a rotating timetable of nurturing yoga and wellness classes, as well as an onsite spa and all-inclusive nourishing meals. Guests can choose to design their own retreat or join a scheduled program and combine their stay with a guided, educational walk or group bushwalk, or excursions to potter the boutiques at Leura or Katoomba.

4. Old Leura Dairy

Best for: Those who enjoy a well-appointed time warp and appreciate the love put into this historic stay.
$$

Evident by its name, this restored former dairy is rich with Blue Mountains heritage and charm. Now a collection of cottages, guests can opt to stay in the Milking Shed, The Studio, Buttercup Barn, Moo Manor, The Workers Cottage or The Straw Bale House, each deeply enriched and styled with bygone country grace.

the Old Leura Dairy Studio bedroom
Old Leura Dairy is rich with heritage and charm.

Step back in time at this bewitching stay just a 15-minute walk into Leura and right on the doorstep of the Blue Mountains National Park.

the bedroom at Straw Bale House, Old Leura Dairy
Bed down in the charming Straw Bale House.

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5. Orchard Cottage

Best for: Appreciators of interior design and those who love to cook and entertain.
$$$$

Elegant and luxe, this white-washed cottage takes style cues from the Hamptons and is beautifully detailed with tactile and warm finishes that anchor the abode in its Australian bush setting. With herringbone brick and hardwood flooring, elegant panelling and marble benchtops, this chic stay has even featured in Home Beautiful magazine.

the exterior of Orchard Cottage, Leura
Orchard Cottage is an elegant retreat within an Australian bush setting.

The five-bedroom retreat features open fireplaces, an outdoor pizza oven and entertaining space, integrated speakers, an incredible kitchen with a butler’s pantry and high-end amenities. You’re also just five minutes’ walk from the centre of town, should you find a reason to leave this dream home.

an outdoor dining area at Orchard Cottage, Leura
The white-washed cottage is beautifully detailed with tactile and warm finishes.

6. Banksia Cottage

Best for: Groups looking to retreat to nature amid serenity.
$$

A tranquil, bush-hemmed escape, this contemporary, self-contained three-bedroom cottage is ideal for mountain retreats with friends or family.

a bedroom with windows at Banksia Cottage, Leura
Sleep next to scenic nature views at Banksia Cottage.

A sun-drenched deck is the perfect place to inhale the scented mountain air as you savour your morning coffee, while the indoor heating ensures winter stays are entirely cosy. Directly across the road, you can access the Lyrebird Dell scenic walk that meanders down to Gordon Falls.

the dining table facing a window at Banksia Cottage
Take in the lush views as you savour your morning coffee.

7. Abbey House

Best for: Sleek stays with mates.
$–$$$$

Light, bright and newly renovated in a modern aesthetic of blonde wood tones and open-plan layout, this fresh, garden-enclosed house is a short walk to Leura Mall and Gordon Falls Lookout.

a garden with trees and pink flowers at Abbey House, Leura
Settle into the charming garden-enclosed Abbey House.

Perfect for group escapes, the three-bedroom abode sleeps eight people who will relish crowding around the outdoor firepit on cool evenings and huddling by the living room fireplace on wintry nights.

the bedroom at Abbey House
The three-bedroom abode sleeps eight people.

8. Varenna, Leura

Best for: Jaunts to relish the past and those who love Edwardian-era architecture.
$$$

If you’re looking to retreat into an era long past, a stay at this character-filled cottage will suit you well.

the fountain outside Varenna cottage, Leura
Check into the heritage cottage at Varenna. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

Built in 1906, this Edwardian mountain-positioned gem has been meticulously restored to its former elegance and retains historic high points amid a more modern interpretation.

the bedroom at Varenna, Leura
Cosy up in the elegant bedroom. (Image: Lorraine Autumn)

Claw-foot bathtubs, rich tapestries, ornate embellishments and beautiful private gardens will have you feeling like a governor(ness) of old.

a vintage bathroom at Varenna, Leura
Nothing screams vintage more than this chic bathroom at Varenna. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

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9. Strawberry Patch Cottage

Best for: A stay that feels worlds away from it all.
$$

This 1912 weatherboard, two-bedroom cottage is just 100 metres from Leura Village and is artfully crammed with antique-edged glamour, from the four-poster beds to the French doors that open out to a garden courtyard, and the large spa bathrooms.

the vintage red bedroom at Strawberry Patch Cottage
The vintage vibe at Strawberry Patch Cottage says it all. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

This is the place to do very little. Stretch out by the fire with a good book or cradle your cuppa on the front deck as you listen out for local birdlife.

the kitchen at Strawberry Patch Cottage, Leura
Strawberry Patch Cottage is artfully crammed with antique-edged glamour. (Image: Mountain Whispers)

10. Cloud Parade

Best for: Contemporary stylings and attention-seeking views.
$$$$

Walk in and absorb those utterly astonishing Blue Mountains vistas from this loftily perched Leura stay. Featured in InsideOut magazine, this is a sleek ensemble of interior loveliness, which works hard to compete with the views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary that dominate the living room.

the living room at Cloud Parade with views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary
Find stunning views of the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary from the living room.

The five-bedroom house has a brand-new kitchen with a showpiece island bench, stunning herringbone wood floors throughout, contemporary art, and light-flooded bedrooms with garden outlooks.

the contemporary living room interior at Cloud Parade, Leura
Contemporary art flows throughout the charming abode.
Looking to stay in Katoomba? Find our accommodation guide here.

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Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.