This boardwalk reveals a hidden side of the Blue Mountains

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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There’s a new way to witness this World Heritage-listed national park.

Everyone knows the Blue Mountains in NSW is a paradise for nature lovers. A treasure trove of walking trails, magical waterfalls and outdoor experiences like Scenic World highlight the raw natural beauty that makes this place so special.

Many of the Blue Mountains’ best hikes and lookouts run along the Jamison Valley’s cliffs and offer views across southerly landmarks like Mount Solitary and the Megalong Valley. But the accessible Forest Lookout Boardwalk has opened in a lesser-known part of the region, inviting visitors to see a different side of this incredible national park.

Where is the new Blue Mountains boardwalk?

Situated on the quieter side of the Blue Mountains National Park in Mount Tomah is the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden on Darug Country. Opened to the public in 1987, the 186-hectare landscape is considered the highest botanic garden in Australia. It is already home to a handful of well-maintained tracks, but the newly opened Forest Lookout Boardwalk is providing a new perspective.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah, NSW
The botanic garden showcases the region’s natural beauty. (Image: Destination NSW)

At 100 metres in length, the fully accessible platform leads visitors to a rarely seen eastern viewpoint that looks out over the region’s unique basalt cap forests. Sustainability was a key factor in the design. Built using natural materials, the structure is sympathetic to the landscape and cuts a path around trees rather than through them.

But it’s not (just) about the destination, it’s about the journey, too. Take it at a leisurely pace and you might spot a few of the adorable animals that call this place home – like lizards, sugar gliders and ring-tailed possums, as well as over 150 bird species. It’s also a great way to see the garden’s native and exotic plant species, including maples, camellias, rhododendrons and ferns.

A native Australian superb lyrebird in the bush
Keep your eye out for native bird species, like the superb lyrebird. (Image: Tracie Louise)

The fern holds particular significance to the region; in the Durgah language of the land’s Traditional Owners, ‘Tomah’ means ‘fern.’ Visitors can learn more about the fern and its life cycle through newly installed art panels along the way.

Afterwards, pop up to the onsite cafe for tea, browse the Garden Shop for gifts and homewares, join a creative workshop or pick up a native plant from the nursery. Guided walking tours are also run during the spring.

The Forest Lookout Boardwalk in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, NSW
The new boardwalk is a short but sweet 100 metres in length.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Is it accessible?

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden has accessibility parking (located in Car Park 1) and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms, as well as mobility scooters available to hire for $10. The new Forest Lookout Boardwalk has also been specifically designed to be accessible for all. Wheelchair users, parents with prams and those with reduced mobility can all enjoy the experience thanks to flat surfaces, safety railings and ramps.

The Forest Lookout Boardwalk in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, NSW
Sustainability and accessibility were at the forefront of design.

How do I get there?

For those travelling from regional towns like Bathurst or Lithgow, you can reach the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden via the Great Western Highway and Chifley Road. Sydney’s train line and A32 highway make visiting popular towns like Katoomba easy, but Mount Tomah is a little further afield. Head to North Richmond, an hour’s drive from the CBD, where Bells Line of Road begins. The winding route twists and turns for 37 kilometres before delivering you to your destination.

Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains, NSW
Bells Line of Road winds its way through the Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

If you’re up for an autumnal road trip, Bells Line is an adventure in itself, cutting through historic settlements like Kurrajong and Berambing. It also provides access to many of Bilpin’s world-class cideries, which are recognised among Australia’s top 10 foodie wonders. It’s important to note that Bells Line of Road can be dangerous at times, especially after heavy rainfall and high winds. Check Live Traffic NSW for road closures or repair works.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.