Our Top 9 Picks For Things To Do in the Blue Mountains

When the scenery is this beautiful, there’s nothing better than a road trip to explore the region village by village. Just 10 minutes’ drive East of Leura, the beautiful town of Wentworth Falls offers a crystal clear lake, an array of coffee shops, the most spectacular bushwalks and views in the region and the Wentworth Falls School of Arts which is famous for its artists’ markets. Further West is the quaint village of Hartley, which has one of the finest collections of historic buildings in Australia including the Sandstone Courthouse. With plenty of car rental options available, hit the road for a day out and eat, drink and explore what makes each of these towns so unique.

If you’re seeking a truly special experience during your visit, look no further than a Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tour through the mountains of Berambing. Just 45 minutes’ drive from Leura, the fully guided tours run frequently at night with each small group led by an expert tour guide who runs interactive Q&A sessions. Groups are taken deep into the heart of breathtaking caves and caverns, which are filled with thousands of glow worms in their natural habitat.

Extreme sports not your thing? Leura is renowned for its shopping culture with the iconic Leura Mall right outside Leisure Inn Spires’ front door. Explore the array of unique boutiques and shops, offering locally made arts and crafts, specialty books, jewellery, vintage fashion, woodwork, plants, gifts and so much more. After a long morning of shopping, you’ll have coffee and cake on the mind, and Leura’s selection of locally-owned cafes, delis and bakeries will not disappoint.

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, or simply love the outdoors, The Blue Mountains region has plenty to offer. From canyoning and abseiling to climbing and hiking, there’s no shortage of adventures available. With hundreds of tracks suitable for beginners to experienced hikers, the Blue Mountains are a particular hot spot for bushwalking with every trail leading to spectacular lookouts, historical sites and hidden rainforests.

The Blue Mountains region is known for its beautiful landscapes, plants and wildlife and this masterpiece of flora is no expectation. Located at Mount Toomah, just a 45 minute scenic drive from Leura, The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is the only botanic garden in the world located in a World Heritage Area. Refuel with a long lunch in the onsite restaurant The Potager, Mount Tomah, or grab a coffee from the Ugly Mug kiosk while you peruse the grounds.   Boasting 21,000 plants and 900 species across 252 hectares of land, it’s easy to get lost in this green oasis, which thrives all year round no matter the season.

The Blue Mountains region is home to some of the most breathtaking natural landforms and views in the country, so it’s a must to get outside and experience the beauty during your stay.   The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark, located at Echo Point Katoomba. Visited by millions of people each year, the rock formation changes colour throughout the day and across different seasons as the sunlight accentuates its glorious colours. One of the most famous lookouts in Australia, Govetts Leap at Blackheath reveals magnificent waterfalls with views that stretch all the way through the valley to the Grose Wilderness. Look closely, it’s likely you’ll spot a native King Parrot or Yellow Tailed Cockatoo!

Although the Blue Mountains aren’t immediately associated with food and wine, the region is home to a number of spectacular vineyards and boasts an enviable array of top quality dining options. Drydridge Estate in Megalong Valley is the most famous vineyard in the region, offering wines and locally made cheeses at their cellar door, which overlooks the breathtaking estate grounds. We recommend timing your visit with a sunset to really make the most of the views. A restaurant to suit even the most discerning traveller can be found in each local town, alongside lookouts or atop mountains – it’s safe to say, you’ll never go hungry

Just over an hours’ drive from Leura, you can find one of Australia’s oldest and most spectacular underground formations; the Jenolan Caves. Pure water rivers snake through nine caves covered with astonishing natural limestone formations. No matter the time of year, the caves remain a constant 15 degrees Celsius. From kids’ tours, multi-lingual self-guided tours and night tours to the popular spine-chilling ‘Legends, Mysteries & Ghosts’ tour, Jenolan Caves offer experiences for every visitor. Jenolan Caves is open for tours daily and is suitable for people of all ages.

Looking for the ultimate Blue Mountains landscape photo? Look no further than Scenic World, located just around the corner from Leura in stunning Katoomba. Scenic World offers a range of experiences and tours, which showcase the spectacular World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and Jamison Valley; all guaranteed to take your breath away. Glide between cliff tops and experience 360 degree views of rainforest canopies through the glass walls and floor of the Scenic Skyway or discover the thrill of a 52 degree incline, riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway. Open every day of the year, Scenic World is a must-do for travellers