The Top 10 Towns In The Blue Mountains, New South Wales

You’ll need more than one weekend to uncover the natural beauty, culture and culinary delights that await you in each of these Blue Mountains towns.

The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most enchanting regions, a haven of quaint villages, delectable cafes and vast valleys to explore year-round.

As you wind your way up the Great Western Highway, choosing which village to pull into for the night or a meal quickly becomes the most challenging part of the journey.

Leura and Katoomba are firm favourites with day-trippers from Sydney, but they’re far from the only towns worthy of a visit. We’ve rounded up the top 10 unmissable towns to add to your journey to the Blue Mountains.

1. Glenbrook

Glenbrook should be your first stop on a jaunt up to the Blue Mountains. The town has a village vibe, complete with a main street full of cafes and shops. Grab breakfast or a coffee at either 2773 the cafe that has its own petting zoo, The Church, a quaint cafe in the old village church, or Kickaboom , Glenbrook’s hip new injection coffee joint.

Must do: Step into the old-world charm of Glenbrook Cinema for a movie and a choc-top.

Address: Cnr Great Western Hwy and Ross Street, Glenbrook

Stop for a movie at the iconic Glenbrook cinema

2. Lawson

Lawson is halfway up the mountains and offers visitors the perfect range of activities to stretch the legs after a long drive. Embark on a walking trail through a tract of pristine rainforest on the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit. Alternatively, ride the 27-km Oaks Trail bike track in nearby Woodford that loops down to Glenbrook. It’s an all-day activity that’s perfect for an adventurous family.

Address: 3 Badgerys Crescent, Lawson

The South Lawson circuit links five picturesque waterfalls

3. Leura

Leura represents mountain village life at its most luxurious, and boasts some of the best shopping in the mountains. Here, you’ll find a great selection of edible treats, homewares, antiques and boutique stores selling a mix of well-known labels.

Tucked a little further down the road is the Art Deco Everglades Historic House and Gardens. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lush green slopes or, better still, time your visit for when it hosts the summer Shakespeare plays by Sport for Jove.

Must do: Don’t leave Leura without a sticky handful of sweets from the magnificent Candy Store .

Address: Shop 6, 178 Leura Mall, Leura

Prince Henry Cliffs hug the tops of the cliffs between Katoomba and Leura

4. Wentworth Falls

Ancient pine trees line the streets of Wentworth Falls, a historic train station still stands and an array of patisseries and cafes bring a taste of Europe to the mountains.

Make the most of a cold day by snuggling into a cosy corner of Fed café with a steaming cup of coffee before you duck into Wentworth Fall’s Bakery Patisserie Schwarz for a warm pretzel to go.

Drive to Kings Tableland lookout to enjoy your pretzel as you admire one of the most breathtaking views in the Blue Mountains.

Around the corner, you’ll find Wentworth Falls Lake, which has a picture-perfect park with playgrounds and barbeques for use.

Must do: A short bushwalk will take you to Empress Falls , a 30-metre cascade of water that’s as grand as it sounds.

Address: Fletcher Street, Wentworth Falls

Be rewarded with views of Wentworth Falls

5. Katoomba

The creativity of the mountains is on full display in Katoomba. Embrace the knitted wool, quirky stores and hippy eccentricity of its streets before stepping into the cinnamon aroma of the Gingerbread House for a creamy hot chocolate.

Don’t miss the phenomenal Three Sisters that overlook the colossal Jamison Valley before strapping into the world’s steepest railway at Scenic World for a thrilling ride from the clifftop to the bottom of the valley.

You can take a short stroll along the boardwalk through the rainforest or catch the Scenic Cableway, the steepest aerial cable-car in the Southern Hemisphere, back to the top. As a Green Travel Leader, Scenic World is the best place in the mountains to experience natural beauty in a responsible way.

Must do: Base yourselves for a weekend getaway at the truly beautiful Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa , a boutique hotel with an award-winning spa and historic formal English garden. If you’re in the mood to be spoilt, book a table at its award-winning fine diner Darley’s Restaurant.

Address: 5/19 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba

The Scenic Skyway cabin passes over Jameson Valley

6. Medlow Bath

You’ll find Medlow Bath nestled between Katoomba and Blackheath, where the biggest drawcard of this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town is the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel .

Balanced alongside the highway and overlooking Megalong Valley, the hotel oozes romance and old-world glamour and the grandeur of the exterior is even more impressive on the inside.

Relax into the plush seats and enjoy a scrumptious high tea with spectacular views.

Next door, the historic Boiler House Restaurant is a more relaxed dining option with equally stunning views of the valley.

Must do: High tea at the Hydro Majestic

Address: 52-88 Great Western Hwy., Medlow Bath

7. Blackheath

Blackheath will welcome you with unrivalled small-town hospitality. Perched on the very top of the mountains, its historic roots make it a hotspot for amazing antique shopping. If you love the thrill of a vintage find, drop by the Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café and pick up a treasure. Blackheath also boasts some of the most picturesque gardens in the mountains, including the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, and its 18 ha of stunning gardens and bushland.

Must do: Snag the window at the Anonymous Cafe, sip on some of the best coffee in the region, and choose a seasonal, locally produced meal or treat from the menu.

Address: 237 Great Western Hwy, Blackheath

Drop by the Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café and pick up a treasure

8. Mount Tomah

Welcome to the garden town of the Blue Mountains. Mount Tomah was recently hit hard by the devastating bushfires of 2019, so there’s more reason than ever to go and visit this beautiful part of the world and help local businesses get back on their feet.

Must do: Spend a few hours wandering The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. Despite nearly 80 per cent of its land being ravaged by the recent fires, there’s still more than enough greenery left to explore.

Indulge in some fresh scones at The Potager Mount Tomah, a terrace restaurant in the gardens with an unrivalled view of the surrounding valley.

Address: Bells Line of Road, Mt Tomah

Spend hours exploring the Botanic Gardens

9. Bilpin

A town with more apples than people, Bilpin is the orchard village of the mountains. It’s next to Mt Tomah and accessed by driving along the Bells Line of Road.

Famous for its Bilpin Cider Co, you can visit the place it’s made, Cellar Door, as well as the home of Hillbilly Cider, at Shed Door.

Spend your money at the Bilpin Apple Pie Cottage Orchard cafe and then stroll down the road to The Hive , where you can stock up on delectable Bilpin honey.

Must do: Get a glimpse of the rural idyll Bilpin Fruit Bowl Farm , which has just reopened after the bushfires. You’ll probably meet the friendly Tadrosse family and their children who manage the orchards and stock their delightful shop full of apple pies and cakes.

Address: 2093 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

10. Wolgan Valley

Surrounded by towering bushland-covered cliffs, Wolgan Valley remains one of the most secluded regions in the Blue Mountains.

You will need to book a safari drive tour to take in the vastness of the valley and access the furthest reaches of the region. Better still, Wolgan Valley Stables offer riding classes that will allow you to roam the grasslands and valleys with a guide, just as the drovers did.

Must do: Sitting amid the valley’s grasslands is the five-star luxurious Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, which is a stay you won’t forget in a hurry.

Address: 2600 Wolgan Road, Wolgan Valley

Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley is a stay you won’t forget in a hurry

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 .

The top 10 towns in the Blue Mountains