19 November 2024
15 mins Read
Those dusty-blue peaks may be the initial drawcard of the Blue Mountains region, but this sprawling wilderness dotted with idyllic towns offers a gargantuan array of activities.
Whether you visit for the weekend or a longer stay, it’s easy to jam-pack your itinerary with activites, from dining out to staying in, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting, glamping and partaking in all manner of heart-pounding adventures.
If this is your first time in the Blue Mountains, get the lay of the land’s dramatic cliffs and adorable townships with a hop-on-hop-off ticket on the Explorer Bus. It’s the freedom to roam the big attractions without having to worry about directions and there’s even live commentary, so you can get your nose out of the guide book and actually take in the sights.
Ride through the quaint streetscapes onboard the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Blue Mountains is bejewelled with plenty of crystal cascades you can visit and even splash about in come summer. From the moderately accessible and widely known Wentworth Falls, Katoomba Falls and Minnehaha Falls to the more difficult Linda Falls and Leura Cascades, there’s plenty of walking tracks that lead to these thundering gems.
Reach the top of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)
Spend an evening ogling at bioluminescent larvae in this former rail tunnel in Newnes Plateau. You can book a tour to check out the worms – who use their glow to attract prey, such as mosquitos – or bring your torch and wander the 400-metre tunnel yourself.
Follow the bioluminescent lights of Glow Worm Canyon in the Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)
The iconic Three Sisters are a must-see on any journey to through the Blue Mountains. Taking in their majesty is an easy 800-metre walk from the Echo Point Visitor Centre, where you can admire the ancient formations as they rise one kilometre above sea level.
Take in majestic views of Three Sisters from Echo Point Lookout. (Image: Destination NSW)
Submit to bodily restoration with a visit to the Japanese Bath House, where you can bathe in a public onsen, enjoy a range of treatments and even spend the night in Japanese-style accommodation. With spectacular views to take in, it’s easy to spend a day soothing your aching muscles after a bush walk or hike.
Where there are mountains, there are, naturally, valleys into which to descend. If your idea of taking in the majesty of this landscape is to discover the limits of your physicality, canyoning is going to be your thing.
The Blue Mountains Adventure Company offers a handful of tours that include abseiling and canyoning, with everything from slipping down waterfalls to jumping into pools. Choose from locations such as the Grand Canyon and Empress Falls to really get your pulse going.
Guide yourself down the Empress Falls. (Image: David Hill)
One of the most immersive ways to take in the drama of the Blue Mountains is to trundle up it, swoosh across it and glide above it at Scenic World. Here, in this veritable theme park of natural beauty, you can ride the world’s steepest railway or the southern hemisphere’s highest aerial cableway.
For those who can’t get enough of heights, try the heart-stopping Beyond Skyway experience, where you stand on top of the cablecar as it makes its crossing – yes, that means outside the car!
Glide across the striking Jamison Valley on a Scenic World cable car. (Image: Destination NSW)
With its smattering of adorable mountain towns, including Blackheath, Katoomba and Leura, all populated with talented makers, artists, growers and producers, it stands to reason there are plenty of markets dotting the calendar. Spend the morning browsing for local wares and find something special to take home.
Craft brewhouses have popped up in plenty of places in the last decade, each proudly showcasing the distinct flavours of the region in their brews. The Blue Mountains follows suit with a handful of great local breweries, which you can visit for a cold one and a bite to eat.
On your list, be sure to include Mountain Culture Beer in Katoomba. For those with a particular love of the craft, hit the road on a Blue Mountains pub crawl – just make sure you have a designated driver.
Order up a paddle for a tasting at Mountain Culture Beer. (Image: Destination NSW)
While the magnificence of the Blue Mountains is on full display during daylight hours, there’s something magical and mysterious about the landscape at night.
Lean into the darkness on the beautiful Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk, which follows a 1.5-kilometre trail that passes Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and Katoomba Cascades. The lights stay on until 11pm, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a post-dinner stroll.
Stroll under the stars on a Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk. (Image: David Hill; Deep Hill Media)
As a pristine wilderness, the focus of the Blue Mountains National Park shifts from ground level skywards as the sun gives way to the night’s celestial adornments.
With so little light pollution, it’s the perfect place to look towards the dark skies above. Blue Mountains Stargazing offers a collection of tours, some including dinner, others an astronomy workshop, and others that are complemented by wine tasting.
Join a stargazing tour to admire the starry night sky. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Blue Mountains are proliferated with incredibly cosy cabins to cocoon yourself in during the cooler months, and to serve as a beautiful base for exploring. Even a cursory comb of Airbnb reveals plenty of places worthy of your Pinterest board. From luxury treehouses to off-grid tiny homes, there’s something to cater to all tastes!
Stay in a cosy and cute cabin at Wondernest.
Invoke your inner child and take in the landscape on horseback. Canter across hillsides, trot through babbling streams and absorb vistas of valleys bathed in golden light as you explore the region upon a noble (or, at least, compliant) steed. There are a few places to find a horse-riding experience, including Megalong Valley Farm.
This one is a no-brainer and perhaps the most obvious activity on any Blue Mountains itinerary. But before you direct yourself to the nearest bushwalk, it’s worth doing some research to find the hike that’s best suited to you, as they vary in difficulty and scenery.
Some are challenging and require experience with walking, whereas others are short and easily accessible. An all-round favourite is the recently opened Grand Cliff Top Walk, which can be taken as a day hike or done over multiple days.
Walk along the scenic edges of Wentworth Falls Track. (Image: Destination NSW)
With its proximity to Sydney ensuring a flow-on effect from the city’s fantastic dining scene, coupled with the fresh produce of the region, eating out in the Blue Mountains is a culinary treat.
From destination diners in Katoomba to cosy Leura cafes and beyond, there are loads of fine dining and casual eateries to choose from. A few noteworthy establishments include Blaqand Ates, two of Blackheath’s best restaurants.
Dine on locally sourced produce at Blaq. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
While often overlooked as a wine-growing region, the Blue Mountains certainly produces some beautiful drops. Pop into the cellar doors like Megalong Creek Estate and Dryridge Estate, both in the Megalong Valley, to sample their top wares with a view.
While you can explore yourself, there are also a handful of tours to join so you needn’t designate a driver – try Fantastic Aussie Tours to get you started.
Dryridge Estate has a vast vineyard to wander through.
The Blue Mountains may get star-billing, but what lies beneath is just as bewitching. The Jenolan Caves system is the largest in Australia, with an astonishing network of underworld chambers and rivers. Tours range from one to two hours and vary from easy to strenuous.
If you’re keen to explore deeper, stay overnight at the nearby Binda Bush Cabins. For everything else you need to know about visiting, check out our guide to the Jenolan Caves.
Explore the magnificent river cave system at Jenolan Caves. (Image: Destination NSW)
Trundle along this historic and deeply nostalgic railway that, as its name suggests, zig-zags round the mountain. First opened in 1869 as part of the Western Railway Line connecting Sydney to the west of the state, the steam-powered locomotive is a must-do experience that weaves across brick bridges and takes in dramatic Blue Mountains vistas.
The steam-powered locomotive Zig Zag Railway is a must-do experience. (Image: Salty Dingo)
Absorb the sights and scents of the bush on a scenic bike ride. If you’re an experienced rider with your own bike on the hunt for two-wheeled thrills, there are loads of trails to test your mettle on throughout the mountains.
However, if you’re after a gentler experience that’s more sightseeing than adventure-seeking, join an e-bike tour that takes a lot of the grunt work out of the propulsion. Blue Mountains Biking Adventures offers beginner and intermediate tours, guided by locals that can show you some of the region’s best kept secrets.
Go mountain biking on scenic trails with Blue Mountains Biking Adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)
No matter what the weather is doing, a spa day never goes astray. But it can’t be denied that when the weather is chilly, spending the day in a cosy spa dials up the delight.
There are plenty of spas to book yourself into in the Blue Mountains, from the luxe spa at Lilianfels to Fairmont Resort‘s stunning day spa. Or, if you’re keen to revive tired muscles from more energetic pursuits, go for a session at the Blue Mountains Sauna.
Treat yourself to a pampering session at Lilianfels Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)
The inherent tranquillity of the Blue Mountains goes a long way to facilitating mindfulness and personal serenity. But while a bushwalk is a great way to reset your inner zen, you can dive deeper into wellbeing at Happy Buddha Retreats.
Set in Wentworth Falls and surrounded by bushland, choose between simple hour-long classes and multi-day retreats to suit your spiritual needs. The accommodation is simple but lovely at this digital-free escape and there’s a wonderful pool for enlivening the senses.
Reset your inner zen at Happy Buddha Retreats.
Weekends away dictate indulgence, so chocolate lovers ought to make a beeline for the Blue Mountains Chocolate Company in Katoomba, where guilty pleasures are happily accommodated. Purchase handmade chocolates and a candle-warmed hot choccie sipped on the veranda.
Although the untamed wilderness has its undeniable appeal, many tendered gardens in the Blue Mountains are worthy of your attention. Even if you’re not a natural green thumb, you’ll appreciate the toil that goes into maintaining the meticulous mountain gardens. Try Leura’s Everglades House and Gardens, The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens in Mt Tomah or the Rhododendron Gardens in Blackheath.
Revel in the natural beauty on offer at Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. (Image: Destination NSW)
The town of Bilpin on the other side of the valley is home to many an apple orchard. You’ll find Bilpin Cider Co. crushing the fruit for their refreshing tipples and Hillbilly Cider, with its live music and woodfired pizza. Both make for great pit stops on a Blue Mountains road trip.
Sample ciders in Bilpin.
The charming town of Leura is loved for many reasons, not least for its eclectic and lovely boutiques. With a collection of stores from second-hand stores and locally made homewares to book shops and art galleries, you can spend a very pleasant few hours perusing all manner of goods.
Unearth unique treasures in the stores along Leura’s main street. (Image: Destination NSW)
Set on the western side of the Blue Mountains, Hartley and Little Hartley are a portal into a bygone era. Come to roam the former village with its well-preserved, historic sandstone buildings, where you can listen to the re-enactment of an old court case.
Take a liesurely stroll along the River Lett, stay overnight at the Old Trahlee or the more stately St Bernard’s Presbytery, the former of which is rumoured to be just a little bit haunted.
Step into a bygone era in the historic t of Hartley. (Image: Lithgow Tourism)
On particularly wintry winters, when snow dusts the grounds, it seems only right to indulge in the fantasy of a white Christmas. Do so by embracing Yulefest events across the regio, including dinner at the Carrington Hotel. While Christmas in July is celebrated every year, it’s particularly special when it snows and the magic is conjured up with fairy lights, feasts and festive cheer.
It’s never too early to celebrate Christmas at the Yulefest. (Image: David Hill; Deep Hill Media)
When the mountains heat up, there are plentiful places perfect for cooling down in, especially after a hot hike. Glenbrook Gorge offers a natural plunge pool after a grade-4 hike, as does the nearby (and easier to reach) Jellybean Pools.
Katoomba’s Minnehaha Falls is picturesque and relatively easy to access, as is Linden’s Paradise Pool. There are plenty more, so look for one that suits your fitness levels, pack your towel and get hiking!
Tee off for a round of golf against the backdrop of the Blue Mountains National Park at Leura Golf Club, which is set on the grounds of Fairmont Resort. The 18-hole course is the oldest in the Blue Mountains and can’t be rivalled thanks to those Jamison Valley vistas.
There’s a golf course in almost every town in the Blue Mountains, from Springwood to Katoomba to Blackheath – take your pick and have a swing.
Spend a day on the green at Leura Golf Club. (Image: Destination NSW)
There are more scenic lookouts in the Blue Mountains than anyone can be bothered to count. And while you can’t reasonably get around to them all in one trip, there are some notable spots for snapping that all-important mountain selfie.
High on the list are Govetts Leap Lookout and Echo Point, but be sure to add Leura’s Sublime Point Lookout for sweeping Jamison Valley views. Wentworth Falls has its thundering cascade of water, while Lincoln Rock is a great spot to catch the sunset.
Lose yourself in a sea of clouds at the Olympian Rock Lookout. (Image: Destination NSW)
It’s almost impossible to visit the mountains without having a cuppa and scone thrust into your hand. High tea experiences here embrace this philosophy and you’ll find them proliferated from the high-end hotels to local cafes. High tea served in the Wintergarden of The Hydro Majestic sets a lofty benchmark.
Partake in an indulgent high tea at Hydro Majestic Hotel. (Image: Destination NSW)
The sprawling and exquisitely crafted Mayfield Garden in Oberon wanders for 65 hectares of themed horticultural vignettes. The private space is open most of the year for visitors to spend the day ambling about, but to fully immerse in the lush surroundings, opt for the one-night glamping experience.
Overnighters sleep in a beautifully appointed tent with access to hot showers and enjoy a three-course dinner for two at the onsite restaurant. Glamping is only offered during the spring, summer and autumn festival seasons, so check the website for availability.
Opt for luxe glamping in Mayfield Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)
Bar hopping through the Blue Mountains is an entirely agreeable way to extend your nightcap. Begin at Champagne Charlie’s at The Carrington, Katoomba’s oldest cocktail bar, which was named after French Champagne merchant Charles Heidsieck.
From there, take a three-minute walk to Bootlegger for good cocktails and southern barbecue-style snacks. Across the road (literally), slip into Station Bar, a groovy drinking den plastered with band posters – a fitting statement thanks to its constant live music rotation.
Head to Bootlegger and catch up with your friends over cocktails. (Image: Destination NSW)
If you’d like to send shivers down your spine, pitch your tent at the long-abandoned silver mining settlement, Yerranderie Private Town. This carefully preserved collection of historic buildings includes a post office, tailor shop, general store, bank and cottages, providing a freeze-frame of another time when bush life was harsh and unforgiving.
Pitch a tent on the Private Town campground. (Image: John Spencer DPE)
The Blue Mountains may be renowned for hiking, but a different kind of trail has popped up and is enticing a whole different type of explorer. The Blue Mountains Bookshop Trail is a local initiative that guides readers along a path of the region’s best bookshops. Starting in Springwood, it links local booksellers all the way to Lithgow. Bookworms – I’d be saving up for this one.
Gllebooks Blackheath is the 11th stop on the trail. (Image: Seamus Reece)
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