How to Spend the Ultimate Blue Mountains Weekend Getaway

The Blue Mountains is a perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and is only about a 90minute drive from central Sydney. The scenic drives, stunning landscapes, infinite hiking trails, captivating views and picturesque waterfalls are just some of the reasons why you need to book a weekend escape to the Blue Mountains ASAP!

Follow my guide below for the Ultimate Blue Mountains weekend getaway.

Hot Tip: Check the weather in the Blue Mountains before you go. It may be sweltering hot in Sydney, but a chilly 19ºC in the mountains. A thin sweater or jacket may be welcome in the morning, but it will likely heat up in the afternoon as you hike around.

Accommodation for your Blue Mountains weekend getaway

I’ve personally stayed at the Hydro Majestic, and while it’s an iconic property, there are a few things to be aware of. Even the more affordable rooms are quite small, and the amenities feel a little outdated for the price. I would have loved to experience one of the valley view rooms, as they’re said to be much more spacious. That said, the rest of the hotel is absolutely beautiful — with stunning interior décor and incredible views over the valley. I’d especially recommend dining at the Wintergarden Restaurant in the evening. Keep reading for my full experience and tips.

Blue Mountains Weekend Getaway Accommodation Options!

Budget | Leura House

• Easy walk to train station + Leura Village
• 10 mins to Leura Cascades trails
• Spacious rooms with lots of character

Moderate | Comfort Resort Leura Gardens

• Set in landscaped gardens
• Minutes from Leura Village (cafes, shops, galleries)
• Close to Echo Point, Three Sisters & Scenic World

Luxury | Hotel Mountain Heritage

• Located in Katoomba
• Stunning valley views + classic décor
• Close to major attractions (Three Sisters, Scenic World)

Camping in the Blue Mountains

• Many campsites in the national park are free
• Great option if you’re travelling with a tent

Old Ford Reserve

• Ideal base for exploring the region
• Free, accessible campground by Megalong Creek
• Close to Katoomba

How to get to the Blue Mountains

Option 1- Drive/Car Hire:
To get yourself from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, you have a couple of options and the easiest is probably to drive. If you don’t have a car, you may want to look at hiring a car. This gives you the freedom to move around where you like and not restricted to a time limit at each place you visit.

Option 2- Train:
Another option is to catch a train, which takes around 2 hours on the Blue Mountains line from Central Station. You have the option to purchase an Opal Card which you can continue to top up and use to access public transport during your stay in Sydney which also works on buses, light rail and ferries.

*Note- you can also just tap your debit/credit card instead of purchasing an Opal Card.

There is a hop on/off bus service that can pick you up from Katoomba station that gives you the flexibility to plan your day according to your interests.

Option 3- Group Tour:
Third option is to jump on a tour, if you’re short on time and don’t plan to stay a whole weekend then this might be perfect for you as you don’t have to worry about driving, you can just sit back and let the tour driver do all the work for you.

Friday

Wentworth Falls

This is one of my favourite walks in the Blue Mountains because it rates so highly on all the reasons of what makes a hike great. It’s well maintained; there are spectacular views, the scenery is amazing all the way and it gets your heart pumping.

The only downfall, although only a small one, is that it’s very popular, so be prepared to pass, or be passed by, many other hikers. One tip for avoiding a crowded track is to go early (pre-10am) before the tour buses arrive.

We started at the Wentworth Falls picnic area which has plenty of parking space. After taking in the views from Jamison Lookout and Wentworth Falls Lookout, head left towards the Wentworth Falls track.

Want everything planned for you? My 7-day Sydney itinerary breaks down exactly what to do each day, plus local tips to help you make the most of your trip.

If you’ve got a bit of time up your sleeve, I would highly recommend the Wentworth Falls track via Princes Rock Lookout, which gives you a front on view of the actual waterfall. There’s a signed turn-off to the right on the track towards the falls. This was the highlight of the walk for me, offering an excellent view of Wentworth Falls in its entirety as well as sweeping views of Jamison Valley and Mt Solitary in the distance.

Once you have soaked up the views and had a good rest, loop back onto the Wentworth Falls Track and head towards Fletchers Lookout which offers a close up view of the top of the Wentworth Falls in addition to panoramic views into Jamison Valley and surrounds.

At this point we stopped and turned around as we had been walking for almost 2.5 hours (taking a lot of photo stops) however, you can get another opportunity to see a full frontal of the Falls at Rocket Point Lookout. This sidetrack begins just after you cross the water for the first time and will add on about 15 minutes to the walk. At this time the National Pass was currently closed due to dangerous rockfall hazards, be sure to check the National Parks website for up to date alerts.

Check out Things to Do in the Blue Mountains

Dinner at the Wintergarden Restaurant

Words cannot express my complete surprise and delight at experiencing a gourmet dinner at the Hydro Majestic’s Wintergarden Restaurant. Your Blue Mountains weekend getaway would be incomplete without experiencing one of the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) Chef Hat Award winners for 2020.

The Wintergarden offers panoramic windows looking out over the Megalong Valley. Be sure to time your reservation to be seated before sunset and enjoy your dinner while watching the valley below turn from warm yellow/oranges to a purple/blue as the sun sets behind the hills.

Entrée

Seared Scallops with Smoked Cuttlefish, Celeriac & Truffle Cream, Truffle Butter, Bilpin Apple, Samphire

The scallops and cuttlefish were exceptionally tender, with a soft, buttery texture that paired beautifully with the richness of the truffle cream and butter. The dish was elevated further by its presentation — revealed beneath a dome of smoke, which was theatrically lifted at the table. As the smoke dispersed, the aroma was immediately striking, building anticipation for the first bite.

Main Course

55-Degree Kangaroo Fillet with Lemon Myrtle Crust, Parsnip Purée, Glazed Native Plum, Black Currants, Bronze Fennel

The kangaroo fillet was cooked to perfection — tender, juicy, and beautifully pink in the centre. The flavours were well balanced, with the native ingredients adding depth and a distinctly Australian touch.

Slow Roasted Wagyu Striploin with Oxtail Ragout, Roast Garlic Celeriac Purée, Heirloom Carrot, Béarnaise, Tarragon Dust

The Wagyu striploin was a standout, with rich marbling that resulted in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Each bite was full of flavour and carefully savoured. The consistency across dishes was impressive, with each course executed to a high standard.

Dessert

Strawberry & Sheep Milk Cheesecake with Elderflower Jelly, Blueberry Soil, Herb Garden, Elderflower Mist

Dessert was both creative and beautifully presented, resembling a small potted plant. Beyond its visual appeal, the cheesecake delivered a well-balanced flavour profile — combining the sweetness of strawberry with a subtle tang from the sheep milk. A light and refreshing way to finish the experience.

Ready to plan the rest of your trip?
Use this Australia travel guide to build your full itinerary beyond Sydney.

Saturday

Scenic World

A trip to Scenic World needs to be experienced at least once in your lifetime and there’s no better time than your Blue Mountains weekend getaway. The entire experience takes around 90 minutes and we found getting there first thing in the morning was the best to beat the crowds and queues.

Scenic Skyway

• Largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere
• Glide 270m above the Jamison Valley
• Views of Katoomba Falls, Three Sisters & Mt Solitary
• Glass floor section (don’t worry — solid edges if heights aren’t your thing)

Scenic Railway

• Fast, thrilling descent into the Jamison Valley
• World’s steepest passenger railway (up to 64° incline)
• Choose your intensity:
• Cliffhanger (steepest)
• Original (52°)
• Laidback (more relaxed)

Scenic Cableway

• Views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock & Mt Solitary
• 545m ride back to the top
• Steep aerial ascent with panoramic valley views

Katoomba Falls

After viewing the Katoomba Falls from inside of the Scenic Skyway, I couldn’t resist going down to see it up closer. First we checked out the Katoomba Cascades. It’s an extremely easy walk that only takes around 5 mins to get to from the Katoomba Falls Kiosk. (Located on Cliff Dr around 1-2 mins from Scenic World, directly opposite the Katoomba Falls Tourist Park)

After admiring the Katoomba Cascades and even dipping our toes into the cold water we looped back the way we came and took the path leading to “Reids Plateau”. The track is clearly signposted so you will easily find your way and again this was a very short and easy 5 minute walk up a few stairs to get to. From here you get fantastic views over Katoomba Falls, the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary with the Scenic Skyway’s yellow cable car floating past high above the dense rainforest.

Lunch at Station Bar + Woodfired Pizza

With all the walking done so far, it’s time to reward ourselves with a cold beverage and some carbs! Pete grabbed himself a tasting paddle of craft beer, I grabbed a glass of white wine and we sat down to indulge in some Woodfired Pizza. It was very much an Aussie pub atmosphere with good music, great vibes, friendly staff and a whole variety of pizzas to choose from. Their pizzas are fittingly named after Blue Mountains villages and topped with some uniquely Australian ingredients – saltwater crocodile anyone?

After lunch, we decided to relax for the rest of the afternoon back at the Hyrdo Majestic, exploring the different parts of the hotel and enjoying a few glasses of wine while watching the sun go down.

Sunday

Echo Point + The Three Sisters

Viewing the Three Sisters from Echo Point is iconic, making it an extremely popular and very busy spot to visit. I will be honest, this place is very ‘touristy’ and you will struggle to find a parking spot! You aren’t allowed to drive into the carpark as these are just reserved for buses only, leaving street parking as the only option and will cost you around $4 an hour.

However, not seeing the Three Sisters when visiting the Blue Mountains would be like not seeing the Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris. I wouldn’t go there again and again, but I’d recommend seeing it at least once.

Once you have taken in the view from the very large viewing platform, make your way towards the information centre from where you can access The Three Sisters walking track. The Three Sisters walking track is an easy and comfortable path that takes you to the Honeymoon Bridge at the Three Sisters. The only challenging part is the bit at the end where the track includes a short section of the Giant Stairway which is very steep.

The walk to the Three Sisters is short with a few highlights to enjoy on the way such as Oreades Lookout and Lady Game Lookout. Starting at the archway next to the Lady Game Lookout, the Giant Stairway consists of more than 800 steel and stone steps heading down into the Jamison Valley. Luckily though, to visit the first of the Three Sisters, you only need to descend a very small section of the Giant Stairway.

The last part of the Three Sisters Walk is the Honeymoon Bridge, which connects to a rock overhang that is part of the First Sister. It’s quite a surreal experience to be crossing this little bridge and to be standing right next to the Three Sisters on the other side. Bear in mind though it does get very busy here during weekends, so if you’d like to take photos and enjoy the views without the crowds, it’s best to get quite early in the day.

Leura

A visit to Leura is a must on any Blue Mountains weekend getaway as this small town is absolutely beautiful with a lot to offer on things to do and see. Check out my instagram to see what I got up to!

Here’s a quick snapshot of the top things to do in Leura:

• Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum
• Leura Mall
• The Candy Store
• Josophan’s Fine Chocolates
• Leura Cascades

Check out my guide to Leura- A Beautiful Day Trip to Leura in the Blue Mountains for a more detailed guide on what you can do in here.

Afternoon High Tea at the Hydro Majestic

One of the top highly recommended things to do in the Blue Mountains is to experience the High Tea at the Hydro Majestic. The Hydro Majestic has three options for high tea. The traditional Wintergarden High Tea, the Eastern High Tea full of Asian influence, and the Gluten Free High Tea. We went for the traditional option.

The high teas are served to your table on a three-tiered silver stand and their menu somewhat undersells itself as “petit pastries, selection of finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones served with homemade jam and fresh clotted cream served with freshly brewed speciality teas or coffee.” Every tier was thoroughly enjoyed and there wasn’t a complaint from either one of us as we set back and appreciated the view of the Megalong Valley below. It was a perfect end to our Blue Mountains weekend getaway.

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As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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