Blue Mountains Holidays Guide

New South Wales, Australia

blue mountains holiday and accomodation guide

The Blue Mountains region, ninety minutes drive to the west of Sydney, is a stunning area of rocky sandstone outcrops and endless eucalyptus forests. Throw in the charming mountain villages and top-class restaurants, and you'll find it's impossible not to enjoy a day tour or overnight stay in the region. The blue colour of the mountains is caused by eucalyptus oil in the air filtering the sun's rays and making the blue spectrum more prominent. Millions of visitors flock to the region each year to bush-walk, bike-ride, or simply enjoy the scenic views. There are over 140km (87miles), of bush-walking tracks of all grades (including some accessible for disabled visitors), making the Blue Mountains a bush-walker’s paradise.

Blue Mountains Highlights

Blue Mountains Holidays Planner

The most popular attraction in the Blue Mountains is the Three Sisters Lookout in the town of Katoomba. According to Aboriginal legend, three slender rocky outcrops standing close together are three sisters who were turned into stone by a medicine man seeking to protect them. The view from the lookout is truly breathtaking, with vertical sandstone cliffs, gorges and lush forests stretching as far as the eye can see. Enjoy the dramatic views from the glass-bottomed Scenic Skyway, which travels on wires across the valley to a viewing platform. Or try the thrilling Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, which travels steeply down the escarpment through the World-Heritage listed forest, with the option of continuing on to the Scenic Walkway through the forest at the bottom.

Once you have taken in the majestic views, spend some time in the quaint cafés and antique stores of the towns of Blackheath and Leura, which have retained much of their 19th and early 20th-century timber architecture. Day tours of the region are easily arranged from Sydney, or for those wanting some adventure, multi-day 4WD eco-tours are available to take you off the beaten track to explore the true Aussie bush. There are numerous stylish hotels and B&Bs in the region, many located in historic properties. Fine dining featuring delicious regional produce is a highlight of the region. The Blue Mountains has a cool temperate climate, with cold winters and mild summers. There are many festivals and events throughout the year, including the Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Roots & Blues held at Katoomba in March, and the Leura Garden Festival in October.

Stretching for over one million hectares of spectacular landscape, the Blue Mountains are set amongst unique canyons, flourishing forests and delightful woodlands. Located less than two hours from Sydney, the Greater Blue Mountains received world heritage listing in 2000 in recognition of its outstanding natural value and conservation of biological diversity. Aboriginal tribal groups treasure their connections with this ancient land including the Darug, Gundungurra and the Wiradjuri people. These tribes traditionally pass on the generations of cultural practices such as ceremony, songs, stories and art, as well as knowledge of land, plants and native animal life.

Join in the festivities at the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba with local musicians, mask makers, dancers and drummers. Tour a range of events and exhibitions in the galleries of the beautiful Hartley Valley. Take a leisurely bush-walk or mountain bike trail through the mountains and valleys. Visit Santa at the Jenolan Caves. Find your sweet tooth with a treasure hunt for truffles in Oberon. Photograph the unique gardens of Stone, the sandstone cliffs and the canyons that are vastly scattered across this wondrous region.

Blue Mountains Accommodation Search

Accommodation choices including quaint cottages, luxury bed & breakfasts and warming winter lodges are available in several locations in the Blue Mountains including Lithgow and Oberon. Dining choices in this region include superb international cuisines and cafes. Visit the Blue Mountains for a truly mystical and tranquil experience. The following Blue Mountains hotels provide some of the best deals for a holiday in New South Wales please search below for availability and get the very best room rates sourced from over 100 local and online booking agents:

Blue Mountains Travel Info
Trains to the Blue Mountains regularly depart from Central Station in Sydney. Several tours also operate from Sydney including limousine transfers and mini-bus guides. Car and 4WD hire is available for those who wish to be their own tour guide.