10 Best Blue Mountains Cabins To Escape To

Cosy retreats don’t get more idyllic than these cabins in the Blue Mountains.

Regardless of the season, a cabin in the Blue Mountains will provide a perfect change of scene. Now you’ve scoped out which town you’d like to stay in, here are some of our favourite Blue Mountains cabin options to rent when you need to escape the city to a nature-ensconced retreat.

1. Cuyong Cottage, Katoomba

This charming Federation cottage has a modern, minimalist interior with all-white and wood décor, pretty stained glass windows and French doors that open onto a flower-filled garden. The home offers space for six adults, has a back porch for barbecues and offers all the amenities you’d expect from a Superhost. If you love to cook, Cuyong Cottage has a dreamy kitchen and vegetable garden. As well as being within a cooee of Katoomba’s Echo Point, the cottage is within walking distance of restaurants, bars and pubs.

This charming Cuyong cottage.

2. MontPierre Mountain Cottage in Kurrajong Heights

This is one of the most character-filled Blue Mountains’ cabins we’ve seen on Airbnb. It’s a riot of colour and personality that is at once quirky, comfortable and cosy. Enter through an antique garden gate to access MontPierre Mountain Cottage, which is tucked away in the picturesque village of Kurrajong Heights. Outside, you’ll find a wood-fired pizza oven, day bed, outdoor bathtub and private guest terrace with regional views.

This is one of the most character-filled Blue Mountains’ cabins.

3. Eco Woolshed, Blackheath

This rustic Eco Woolshed cabin manages to avoid cringy Australiana tchotchkes even though it has accents that have a distinctly Aussie twang. For instance, although there’s an inordinate amount of corrugated iron and timber in use, the architecturally designed eco cabins still manage to be bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows that open out onto a deck with dreamy views. There are just two eco cabins on the 100-hectare property, which looks out over the blue-hued mountains and bony escarpment that backdrops Blackheath.

Eco Woolshed cabin manages to avoid cringy Australiana tchotchkes.

4. Piccolino, Wolgan Valley

Although it’s tiny in stature, Piccolino punches above its weight in terms of its location and amenities. In fact, the private retreat maximises its footprint by squeezing in as much amenity as it can into a small space, which encourages guests to focus on those expansive bush views. Proximity to local attractions is another draw as the property is near to a glow worm tunnel, Newnes Ruins and ancient Indigenous rock art at Mayingu Marragu. The artfully styled tiny house has a fire pit and more than 40 hectares of land to explore on foot or by bike.

Piccolino punches above its weight.

5. The Dream Cabin

The Dream Cabin looks like it might have been designed by Dr. Seuss. Blending corrugated iron with polished concrete and rustic timber beams, the whimsical light-filled cabin also features a hanging chair and ceiling festooned with fairy lights. The Dream Cabin has an outside shower and separate bath house with a hot tub and views over Bowen’s Creek Gorge from the lofted bedroom, which is accessed via a ladder. Enjoy a walk to Bowen’s Creek or kick off your shoes and curl up by the fireplace.

The Dream Cabin is Dr Seuss’ fantasy.

6. Cooee Cottage, Katoomba

Cooee Cottage is the definition of dinky. And if we were to judge it on its exterior alone, the diminutive dwelling with wrap-around verandah would be given a gold star. The 112-year-old weatherboard residence looks like it has been dipped in Dulux Emerald Delight, a colour that is coded complimentary to the surrounding greenery. The Katoomba cottage is in a quiet setting not far from the train station and town centre and the option to light a fire in cooler weather is a welcome extra. It’s a very homey vibe indeed.

Cooee Cottage is the definition of dinky.

7. Logan Brae Retreats, Megalong Valley

The Machinery Shed on the Shipley Plateau regularly ranks in the Top 3 most wish-listed Airbnbs in Australia.

The Machinery Shed regularly ranks in the Top 3 most wish-listed Airbnbs in Australia.

As one of four luxury accommodation options at Logan Brae Retreats, one of the biggest selling points of the tastefully restored machinery shed is its eye-catching design followed by the fact it’s located on a 100-year-old working apple orchard. Fight for who gets first dibs on the outdoor treetop tub, which is hidden amid the trees and the perfect place to unwind.

Lounge area inside Machinery Shed at Logan Brae Retreats Blue Mountains

Take in your surroundings from the comfort of the lounge.

8. Cloud Parade, Katoomba

This Katoomba house is blessed with great natural light. But the real bonus at Cloud Parade is the view over the Three Sisters and Mt Solitary. The designer home, which is set on a bony ridge of the iconic escarpment, is also in the flight path of passing clouds. Pick up a copy of The Cloud Collector’s Handbook so you have an excuse to stay glued to the lounge near the fireplace in the living room to identify every cloud that floats by and tick them off your checklist. Extra points are awarded for anoraks who spot the oh-so-rare mammatus.

Natural light at Cloud Parade.

9. Nungaroo Cottage, Bilpin

Grab your nearest flannelette-clad faux lumberjack and make them earn their stripes by chopping firewood for the combustion fire that is at the heart of this classic timber slab mountain retreat. Guests keen to relax indoors can crawl into the lofted bed at Nungaroo Cottage which is encircled by cool-climate gardens and quiet bushland. The owners of Nungaroo Cottage are Bilpin’s very own Dr Dolittles and there is all manner of animals — including rescue horses and donkeys – that will give you a sneak peek of the rural idyll.

Life at Nungaroo Cottage.

10. The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley

Be the envy of all your friends by being the first to book a weekend in The Hilltop Cabin, which has flung open its doors from its lofty position on the highest point of the Kanimbla Valley.

View of the pool deck at The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley

Slip into your private mineral healing plunge pool to watch the sunset.

Picture this: a private mineral healing plunge pool off the cabin deck; a cargo net hammock to wallow in; a stone bath with sweeping views and an open fire.

The stone bath at The Hilltop Cabin, Kanimbla Valley

Soak up the views and the relaxing vibes in the stone bath.

The cabin is modelled on a traditional American log cabin, albeit with luxurious touches. Use the cabin as a base to explore the landscape which is home to kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies.

For the ultimate family-friendly accommodation in the Blue Mountains or a getaway with friends, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains can’t be beat.

When travelling with kids, there are often a few more checkboxes to your accommodation search. The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains ticks all those with its epic offering of family-friendly facilities, from an indoor playground to an ice-skating rink to a treetop adventure course.

But it’s not just the kids who have the fun: there’s also a hip underground whiskey bar and fine dining, a golf course and a day spa, and the pretty village of Leura just a short drive away. You could say that the Fairmont Blue Mountains is a people-pleaser with all you need at your fingertips, making it the ideal place to stay with a group of friends too.

the lake at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains in autumn

The resort is adjacent to a serene lake. (Image: James Horan; Destination NSW)

Location

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is nestled in the quaint village of Leura, high up on a ridge overlooking the Jamison Valley, in the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Leura is regarded as the prettiest town in the Blue Mountains, with its leafy town centre, heritage buildings and charming cafes and boutique stores.

an aerial view looking over the Fairmont Resort in Leura and across the Jamison Valley

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains sits atop a ridge with views overlooking Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

The town is also home to Leura Cascades and Sublime Point, a lookout with panoramic views over the blue-hazed landscape. Neighbouring suburb Katoomba, the main hub of the Blue Mountains, is an eight-minute drive away. Here you’ll find the famous Three Sisters rock formations and Scenic World, where you can take a ride on the world’s steepest passenger railway to the valley floor.

sunrise over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Katoomba

Catch incredible sunrise views over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Style and character

Part of the M Gallery Hotel Collection, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a sprawling resort that has a cosy mountain chalet feel from the moment you enter the lobby. Think high ceilings with exposed beams, warm timber floors, red plaid rugs, alpine stone features and a fireplace, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the mountains in the distance.

The decor and styling in the public spaces and guest rooms (a mix of black leather lounges, striped fabric lounges, heavy red curtains and beige carpet) may be a little dated, however it’s comfortable and well-kept.

a look inside the lobby at Fairmont Resort in Leura

The lobby evokes a cosy mountain chalet feel. (Image: Destination NSW)

Facilities

The Fairmont is a fully serviced resort that caters to travellers of all kinds, but it really stands out as an excellent family-friendly resort. The resort features indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a basketball court, an indoor kids’ zone of soft play equipment and arcade games, an outdoor hedge maze, miniature train rides, a treetops adventure park with a climbing course and an ice-skating rink.

an outdoor pool with sun loungers at Fairmont Resort in Leura

The indoor and outdoor pools are great family-friendly additions to the resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

Phew! After all the fun with the kids, there’s a day spa to unwind. Leura Golf Club is also located on-site and features an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. There are seven other restaurants and bar on the property, too, so there are plenty of choices to explore during your stay.

Reception is open 24 hours, there is free parking on-site and electric car charging stations, and there’s also a boutique shop where you can pick up everyday items, gifts and souvenirs.

Rooms

There are 224 rooms at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, boasting views over the Jamison Valley or the resort’s beautiful gardens.

Accommodation includes Standard Rooms, which feature a king or twin beds, Superior Rooms which feature a king or two queen beds, and a Courtyard Room with a king or two singles and an enclosed courtyard on the ground floor overlooking the gardens. The more spacious Deluxe Balcony Rooms have high chalet ceilings and a balcony. There is also a Deluxe Spa Room with a corner spa in the bathroom.

an aerial view of the Jamison Valley from Fairmont Resort in Leura

The rooms feature breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

Families can choose the Family Suite, which comprises interconnecting rooms – a king bedroom and a twin room (sleeps four). Other suites offer more space, such as the Junior Suite, which has an open-plan lounge room with a balcony (sleeps two), a Luxury Suite, which has a lounge room and dining area (sleeps two), and a Deluxe Suite with one or two bedrooms and a marble fireplace (sleeps up to four). The Deluxe Grand Suite also has a fireplace and features two balconies (sleeps two).

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a pet-friendly resort too. The Pet Rooms are on the ground floor and feature an enclosed courtyard for your furry friend to stretch their legs.

Food and Drink

Jamison’s Restaurant is where buffet breakfast is served alongside an outlook of the sprawling valley and sandstone escarpments in the distance. Bi-fold windows can be opened to allow a fresh breeze in the warmer months. High tea is also served in this space daily, with kids options available.

Embers Grill is located just off the lobby and has soaring windows for captivating valley views. The intimate restaurant keeps cosy during the winter months with a fireplace and serves a steakhouse menu for lunch and dinner.

dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura

Enjoy fine dining at Eucalypt Restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another dining venue with – you guessed it – unbeatable views is No.1 Sublime Point. This fine dining restaurant offers a five-course degustation with matching wines, inspired by seasonal produce.

Contemporary Italian cuisine is served in Azzurro Trattoria, which has a casual atmosphere and a kids’ menu for the little diners. Think family favourites such as pizza and pasta.

the Embers Restaurant inside Fairmont Resort in Leura

Dine at Embers for captivating valley views. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sublime Lounge is adjacent to the lobby and is a cosy spot for a coffee and cake or a cocktail. It has a fireplace and is open all day. While down in the basement, Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern is filled with leather chesterfields and velvet chairs and vintage curios. You can come for a drink or stay for dinner, with late night live music from Thursday to Sunday.

Leura Golf Club also features a bistro that’s open for lunch and dinner. The whole family will love the pub-style menu of burgers, steaks, salads and the like. There’s a kids menu too.

guests dining at Eucalypt Restaurant inside the Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains

The elegant Eucalypt Restaurant delivers meals and views to remember. (Image: Destination NSW)

Experiences

The resort features Ubika Day Spa and salon, which has a range of wellness experiences for some R&R, such as massage, facials, pedicures and more.

The Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink is also located at the resort. You can book regular ice-skating sessions here or time your visit with special events such as disco nights and ice-skating shows.

a woman getting a spa treatment at Ubika Day Spa

Pamper yourself at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

As well as the ample family-friendly facilities – such as the kids’ zone, miniature train rides and treetops adventure park – the resort holds a school holiday program. The schedule is packed with fun activities such as magic shows, face painting, kids’ golf clinics and pony rides.

The resort also offers accommodation packages including a Wellness Package with day spa treatments and a Stay and Play golf package.

a morning yoga session at Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains

Join a morning yoga session. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accessibility

The Fairmont has accessible rooms available for guests with disabilities, located on lower ground or accessed via a lift. Guests will need to contact the resort directly to book these room types. They feature a walk-in shower with handrail. All restaurants and bars are accessible.

Family-friendly?

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is the most family-friendly resort in the area, with a roster of fun activities and facilities for young and old alike, as well as room types to accommodate up to four guests.

Details

Best for: Family friendly accommodation with the views to match

Address: 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura NSW

10 cosy Blue Mountains cabins to escape to now