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.
First let’s make sure you have everything you need for your trip away-
Tips for Travelling Australia
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Book the cheapest Hotels: Hotellook — a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
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Trip Advisor: Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than one billion reviews and opinions of nearly eight million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants, and discover great places nearby.
Find the cheapest flights: WayAway is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Users can also purchase the WayAway Plus membership plan, which gives cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours, and more.
Accommodation for your Blue Mountains weekend getaway
I have personally stayed at the Hydro Majestic. Even for the cheapest rooms available, the rooms are actually quite small and the amenities are outdated which don’t justify the price you pay. I would have loved to see what a valley view room would be like as they are meant to also be a lot more roomier. That said though, the rest of the hotel is beautiful with stunning interior dećor and exceptional views of the valley. I would highly recommend experiencing an evening dining at the Wintergarden Restaurant at the hotel. Keep reading to find out more below!
Blue Mountains Weekend Getaway Accommodation Options!
Budget | Leura House
Great location, an easy walk from the train station and main street. Access to the trails near the Leura Cascades is around a 10-minute walk. This house has lots of character with spacious and comfortable rooms.
Moderate | Nesuto Gardens Hotel
Set amidst four and a half acres of landscaped gardens and overlooking the 4th fairway of Leura Golf Course, Nesuto Leura Gardens Hotel is situated in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Nesuto Leura Gardens is only minutes from Leura Village, known as the “Garden Village” because of its lovely gardens whilst offering boutique shopping, galleries, cafes and delicatessens, as well as being close by to all the major attractions of the Blue Mountains including the majestic Leura Cascades, the picturesque Echo Point lookout and the famous Three Sisters overlooking the Jamison Valley and Scenic World, home of the steepest passenger railway in the world.
Luxury | Hotel Mountain Heritage
This family-friendly hotel is located in the historical district, within 2km of Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Leura Mall and Leura Cascades, Three Sisters and Katoomba Scenic World. Spectacular views and old world decor throughout.
Most of the Blue Mountains National Park camping is free! And if you’ve got a tent with you it can be a really beautiful way to experience this part of the region. Considered one of the most popular spots in the Blue Mountains, Old Ford Reserve is an extremely accessible, free campground on the bank of the Megalong Creek. It’s close to Katoomba, which makes it a perfect base for exploring the region.
I always find the cheapest rates by searching Hotels Combined– I’ve pre-filled the Blue Mountains for you below so just click search and explore what’s on offer!
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.
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 Tripadvisor’s 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.
You have the option for a 2 course or 3 course set menu. We couldn’t resist and had to go for for the 3 course which was $95 per person. Once you see what’s on the menu you’ll understand.
For Entrée I chose the Seared Scallops with Smoked Cuttlefish, Celeriac & Truffle Cream, Truffle Butter, Bilpin Apple, Samphire. The Scallops and Cuttlefish was soft and buttery and the truffle cream and butter complimented these flavours perfectly. The presentation of my entrée also added a fun element to the evening with the waiter revealing the dish beneath by swirling a dome filled with smoke as he lifted it off the plate. The aroma smacks you in the face as the smoke dissipates and by now I am salivating to take my first bite!
Peter (my husband) had the 55-Degree Kangaroo Fillet with Lemon Myrtle Crust, Parsnip Puree, Glazed Native Plum, Black Currants, Bronze Fennel. The Kangaroo was tender, juicy and red in the middle- perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
We both chose the same main as we couldn’t resist the sound of Slow Roasted Wagyu Striploin with Oxtail Ragout, Roast Garlic Celeriac Puree, Heirloom Carrot, Bearnaise, Tarragon Dust. The marbling of the Wagyu was succulent and melt in the mouth delicious! Each bite was slowly savoured as we did not want this dish to end. There’s nothing better than eating at a restaurant that has served 4 perfectly cooked dishes in a row.
Again we both chose the same for dessert – Strawberry & Sheep Milk Cheesecake with Elder Flower Jelly, Blueberry Soil, Herb Garden, Elder Flower Mist. I couldn’t help but grin when the dessert was placed in front of me and saw it was presented like a flower pot plant! Points for the creativeness and the cheesecake was a well balanced mixture of sweetness from the strawberry and tanginess of the cream cheese.
Not sure what to pack? See my Packing List for more tips!
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.
First glide your way across the Scenic Skyway providing the best views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary and the Jamison Valley. It is the largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. Suspended 270 metres high breathtaking views of rainforest treetops are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass cabin floor in the middle of the cabin. Don’t worry though, if you’re afraid of heights like me the rest of the flooring is solid.
When you return, you will descend some stairs to embark on the world’s steepest passenger railway- the Scenic Railway. The 52° (128%) incline can be chosen at your level of adventure by adjusting your seated position up to 20 degrees. Choose Cliffhanger at a steep 64° incline; Laidback for a more relaxed journey; or Original at 52°. Peter of course was not going to go down with anything less than the Cliffhanger option. With white knuckles I clung onto the rail in front of me as we approached the tunnel that would descend us down into the Jamison Valley, squealing most of the way down.
Once you reach the bottom, you will move on to an easy 10-20 minute beautiful walk along the Scenic Walkway towards the Cableway station. You will feel like you are walking through a jurassic jungle with the tall trees and the sounds of native birdlife all around you. As you walk along you can explore different areas of the site’s coal mining history including the original mine entrance.
The 545m Scenic Cableway is your return ride back to the top of Scenic World. It is the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere offering panoramic views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock and Mt Solitary.
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.
Follow me on Instagram @miastravelmemoirs to see my latest adventures!
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As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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