12 lovely things to do in Leura

With its mountainside charm and rich community feel, Leura is an idyllic location for an easy mini break.

An all-seasons escape in the Blue Mountains, Leura is the cottage town of your dreams, with heritage abodes, high-country beauty and views of the dramatic landscape.

A skip and hop from Sydney, Leura is great for a weekend getaway, whether it’s cosying up in a cottage, hiking a Blue Mountains bush trail or sipping a cuppa or cocktail in the village.

1. Picnic at Leura Cascades

Spread your picnic rug with locally acquired provisions and stretch out under the lush canopy as you snack to the sounds of tinkling waterfalls and native birdsong. Festooned with ferns and offering views across the Jamison Valley, this is a popular spot to while away some lazy hours.

2. Take a hike

Particularly incredible during spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, the Grand Cliff Top Walk lays out some of the region’s most spectacular views. In its entirety, the track is a multi-day hike, but can easily be broken down into beautiful day walks from Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba. There are also plenty of other great walking tracks around the region for nature lovers to explore.

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains, NSW — The Grand Cliff Top Walk is the newest hike to hit the Blue Mountains. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

3. Sweat it out at a sauna

Soothe aching limbs after a bushwalk at the Finnish-style Blue Mountains Sauna, where you can let the heat melt away any tension. For the brave, take a dip in the cold-water plunge pool to enliven your senses.

There are silent sauna sessions for those keen to enter a more meditative state, while the clothing-optional sessions will leave you feeling liberated. Just be sure to check the session when you book so you’re not caught out.

Blue Mountains Sauna in Leura, NSW — The sauna is a great place to relax and unwind. (Image: Declan Blackall)

4. Go on a cultural crawl through Leura’s galleries

With the beauty of the mountains serving as a muse for many local artists, it’s little wonder there are loads of galleries in the region showcasing thought-provoking and interesting works. Begin a gallery trail at Lost Bear Gallery, where exhibitions centre on contemporary Australian artists.

Next, make your way to Hart Ceramics to admire Lyn Hart’s creations and take a workshop, then pick up a unique treasure at The Nook, a community space for local artisans. Finish your tour at Bygone Beautys, home to an eclectic collection of teapots.

artisan items at the Lost Bear Gallery in Katoomba, Blue Mountains — Admire several artworks inside the Lost Bear Gallery. (Image: Time Out)

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5. Get a sugar rush at The Candy Store

Live out your Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fantasies at The Candy Store. With a range of popular international sweets on offer, including lollies from the UK, the US, Africa and, of course, Australia – sugar fiends are sure to find their favourite. From the curious to the questionable, there’s something to please every sweet tooth.

6. Cosy up in a Leura cottage stay

When the weather is brisk, there are few nicer things than cosying up in mountain cottage with a cuppa or glass of red. Orchard Cottage is your Pinterest board come to life with soothing white-washed tones, exquisite textural details and all the amenities you could ever need. The luxury holiday home is right in the heart of town and considered one of the best places to stay in Leura.

Orchard Cottage in leura — Bed down for a luxurious stay at Orchard Cottage.

7. Indulge at Ubika Day Spa

As you inhale the fresh mountain air, a sense of rejuvenation fills your being. Lean into that feeling of restoration at Ubika Day Spa, the thoroughly luxurious retreat at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.

Now a salon as well as a spa, treat yourself to a pampering session from head to toe, with everything from foils to facials. You can also book a social spa session with friends that, naturally, ends with a high tea.

a woman enjoying a spa treatment at Ubika Day Spa inside the Fairmont Resort & Spa, Leura in the Blue Mountains — Get a well-deserved massage at Ubika Day Spa. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Cheers to happy hour

End the day with an evening tipple in a warmly lit bar where the drinks are well-stirred and the ambience is on point. Some of the best Blue Mountains’ drinking dens are located here. From cocktails at Polar Bear of Leura and The Bunker‘s unrivalled views to an all-Australian menu at Tempus – a great place to dine in nearby Katoomba – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

A dining table set in Tempus in the Blue Mountains — Expect a warm and inviting dining space at Tempus. (Image: Maja Baska)

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9. Wander the Everglades

With Leura’s expanse of grand estates and heritage houses, a visit to Everglades House and Gardens is a must for home horticulturalists and architecture appreciators alike.

The stunning Art-Deco house and manicured gardens conjure glimpses of the past and feel at once European and Australian. Wander the grounds and take in sweeping views across the Jamison Valley.

a couple enjoying a visit to the scenic Everglades Historic House and Gardens, Leura in the Blue Mountains — Take in the sweeping views across Jamison Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

10. Hightail it to high tea

There is a proliferation of high teas to enjoy in the Blue Mountains – and Leura is no exception. However, for a high tea experience with a healthy helping of incredible views and bottomless bubbles, Fairmont’s offering is the pick of the bunch. There are a range of options to choose from, including traditional, sparkling, champagne and even one for kids.

11. Go big for breaky

With a hit list of local cafes to explore, Leura is the perfect place to breakfast aficionados. Take the Red Door Cafe for example; its a main street institution that can’t be missed (on account of its literal namesake). You’d be silly not to swing by Leura Gourmet Cafe and Deli, too. It’s the best spot in town for smoothies, juices and a range of tempting deli treats.

the Red Door Cafe in Leura — Stop by for brunch at Red Door Cafe. (Image: James Horan Destination NSW)

12. Splash some cash on a shopping spree

The main street of Leura is littered with a range of boutiques and shops, with everything from vintage clothes and second-hand stores to homeware specialists and craft co-ops. Wander past local street art to favourites like Moontree – where you can find candles, art and unique decor – and Megalong Books, the peaceful local bookstore that’s part of the charming Blue Mountains Bookshop Trail.

Leura, NSW — Wander past the Leura art murals. (Image: Destination NSW)

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.