The Top 10 Towns In The Blue Mountains, New South Wales

You’ll need more than one weekend to uncover the natural beauty, culture and culinary delights that await you in each of these Blue Mountains towns.

The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most enchanting regions, a haven of quaint villages, delectable cafes and vast valleys to explore year-round.

As you wind your way up the Great Western Highway, choosing which village to pull into for the night or a meal quickly becomes the most challenging part of the journey.

Leura and Katoomba are firm favourites with day-trippers from Sydney, but they’re far from the only towns worthy of a visit. We’ve rounded up the top 10 unmissable towns to add to your journey to the Blue Mountains.

1. Glenbrook

Glenbrook should be your first stop on a jaunt up to the Blue Mountains. The town has a village vibe, complete with a main street full of cafes and shops. Grab breakfast or a coffee at either 2773 the cafe that has its own petting zoo, The Church, a quaint cafe in the old village church, or Kickaboom , Glenbrook’s hip new injection coffee joint.

Must do: Step into the old-world charm of Glenbrook Cinema for a movie and a choc-top.

Address: Cnr Great Western Hwy and Ross Street, Glenbrook

Stop for a movie at the iconic Glenbrook cinema

2. Lawson

Lawson is halfway up the mountains and offers visitors the perfect range of activities to stretch the legs after a long drive. Embark on a walking trail through a tract of pristine rainforest on the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit. Alternatively, ride the 27-km Oaks Trail bike track in nearby Woodford that loops down to Glenbrook. It’s an all-day activity that’s perfect for an adventurous family.

Address: 3 Badgerys Crescent, Lawson

The South Lawson circuit links five picturesque waterfalls

3. Leura

Leura represents mountain village life at its most luxurious, and boasts some of the best shopping in the mountains. Here, you’ll find a great selection of edible treats, homewares, antiques and boutique stores selling a mix of well-known labels.

Tucked a little further down the road is the Art Deco Everglades Historic House and Gardens. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lush green slopes or, better still, time your visit for when it hosts the summer Shakespeare plays by Sport for Jove.

Must do: Don’t leave Leura without a sticky handful of sweets from the magnificent Candy Store .

Address: Shop 6, 178 Leura Mall, Leura

Prince Henry Cliffs hug the tops of the cliffs between Katoomba and Leura

4. Wentworth Falls

Ancient pine trees line the streets of Wentworth Falls, a historic train station still stands and an array of patisseries and cafes bring a taste of Europe to the mountains.

Make the most of a cold day by snuggling into a cosy corner of Fed café with a steaming cup of coffee before you duck into Wentworth Fall’s Bakery Patisserie Schwarz for a warm pretzel to go.

Drive to Kings Tableland lookout to enjoy your pretzel as you admire one of the most breathtaking views in the Blue Mountains.

Around the corner, you’ll find Wentworth Falls Lake, which has a picture-perfect park with playgrounds and barbeques for use.

Must do: A short bushwalk will take you to Empress Falls , a 30-metre cascade of water that’s as grand as it sounds.

Address: Fletcher Street, Wentworth Falls

Be rewarded with views of Wentworth Falls

5. Katoomba

The creativity of the mountains is on full display in Katoomba. Embrace the knitted wool, quirky stores and hippy eccentricity of its streets before stepping into the cinnamon aroma of the Gingerbread House for a creamy hot chocolate.

Don’t miss the phenomenal Three Sisters that overlook the colossal Jamison Valley before strapping into the world’s steepest railway at Scenic World for a thrilling ride from the clifftop to the bottom of the valley.

You can take a short stroll along the boardwalk through the rainforest or catch the Scenic Cableway, the steepest aerial cable-car in the Southern Hemisphere, back to the top. As a Green Travel Leader, Scenic World is the best place in the mountains to experience natural beauty in a responsible way.

Must do: Base yourselves for a weekend getaway at the truly beautiful Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa , a boutique hotel with an award-winning spa and historic formal English garden. If you’re in the mood to be spoilt, book a table at its award-winning fine diner Darley’s Restaurant.

Address: 5/19 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba

The Scenic Skyway cabin passes over Jameson Valley

6. Medlow Bath

You’ll find Medlow Bath nestled between Katoomba and Blackheath, where the biggest drawcard of this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town is the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel .

Balanced alongside the highway and overlooking Megalong Valley, the hotel oozes romance and old-world glamour and the grandeur of the exterior is even more impressive on the inside.

Relax into the plush seats and enjoy a scrumptious high tea with spectacular views.

Next door, the historic Boiler House Restaurant is a more relaxed dining option with equally stunning views of the valley.

Must do: High tea at the Hydro Majestic

Address: 52-88 Great Western Hwy., Medlow Bath

7. Blackheath

Blackheath will welcome you with unrivalled small-town hospitality. Perched on the very top of the mountains, its historic roots make it a hotspot for amazing antique shopping. If you love the thrill of a vintage find, drop by the Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café and pick up a treasure. Blackheath also boasts some of the most picturesque gardens in the mountains, including the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, and its 18 ha of stunning gardens and bushland.

Must do: Snag the window at the Anonymous Cafe, sip on some of the best coffee in the region, and choose a seasonal, locally produced meal or treat from the menu.

Address: 237 Great Western Hwy, Blackheath

Drop by the Victory Theatre Antique Centre & Café and pick up a treasure

8. Mount Tomah

Welcome to the garden town of the Blue Mountains. Mount Tomah was recently hit hard by the devastating bushfires of 2019, so there’s more reason than ever to go and visit this beautiful part of the world and help local businesses get back on their feet.

Must do: Spend a few hours wandering The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. Despite nearly 80 per cent of its land being ravaged by the recent fires, there’s still more than enough greenery left to explore.

Indulge in some fresh scones at The Potager Mount Tomah, a terrace restaurant in the gardens with an unrivalled view of the surrounding valley.

Address: Bells Line of Road, Mt Tomah

Spend hours exploring the Botanic Gardens

9. Bilpin

A town with more apples than people, Bilpin is the orchard village of the mountains. It’s next to Mt Tomah and accessed by driving along the Bells Line of Road.

Famous for its Bilpin Cider Co, you can visit the place it’s made, Cellar Door, as well as the home of Hillbilly Cider, at Shed Door.

Spend your money at the Bilpin Apple Pie Cottage Orchard cafe and then stroll down the road to The Hive , where you can stock up on delectable Bilpin honey.

Must do: Get a glimpse of the rural idyll Bilpin Fruit Bowl Farm , which has just reopened after the bushfires. You’ll probably meet the friendly Tadrosse family and their children who manage the orchards and stock their delightful shop full of apple pies and cakes.

Address: 2093 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

10. Wolgan Valley

Surrounded by towering bushland-covered cliffs, Wolgan Valley remains one of the most secluded regions in the Blue Mountains.

You will need to book a safari drive tour to take in the vastness of the valley and access the furthest reaches of the region. Better still, Wolgan Valley Stables offer riding classes that will allow you to roam the grasslands and valleys with a guide, just as the drovers did.

Must do: Sitting amid the valley’s grasslands is the five-star luxurious Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, which is a stay you won’t forget in a hurry.

Address: 2600 Wolgan Road, Wolgan Valley

Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley is a stay you won’t forget in a hurry

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

The top 10 towns in the Blue Mountains