The Blue Mountains are home to a vast range of spectacular natural wonders throughout the region. From exploring underground cave walks at Jenolan Caves to apple picking in Bilpin, the Blue Mountains have something for everyone. Artistic and Cultural experiences are enhanced by great food and wine in the region.
We have put together a list of some of the amazing attractions the Blue Mountains have to offer, all within a short jaunt from your chosen accommodation.
If you have a particular attraction you would like to stay close to, search by location. However you can also use the advanced search option to find accommodation for more specific requirements.
Along the Way:
Blue Mountains Artists Trail – Take a day to weaving your way up the mountain, discovering the art of the makers in the mountains and buying some affordable art for your collection along the way. With plenty of coffee stops and café’s dotted along the highway, it is a great way to begin to unwind.
The Great Outdoors:
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Bushwalking is one of the outdoor activities that the Blue Mountains are famous for. With spectacular views from a lookout in almost every village, wildlife and flora endemic to the region, getting out into nature is easy for visitors of all ages and abilities. Experiencing the wonders of the Blue Mountains can range from a short stroll to various lookouts to enjoy the vastness of the valleys below, to treks longer than 30kms for visitors looking to do some serious walking - with everything in between.
The Three Sisters at Echo Point are an icon of the Blue Mountains. With recently refurbished walkways, access to other lookouts nearby has been made even easier, with wheelchair access, and access to actually go onto the Three Sisters themselves. The Information Centre staff at Echo Point will be able to answer your questions about interesting things to see and do, and provide lots of brochures.
Henry Cliff Walk Lookout near Echo Point. Image: Ask ROZ, Things to do, Blue Mountains
Bush Trackers:
Pick up a Bush Trackers map at various Information Centres and the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, to discover the beauty of the bush with the kids. Made by kids, for kids, this fantastic map and resource is inspiring the next generation with subtlety and fun. School children around the Blue Mountains have been immersed in nature on various popular bushwalks and created maps of things they have seen, the route you will go on, and their observations. Children go from dragging their heels to involved and inspired Bush Trackers. The maps are a great addition to your bushwalk. Check out the Bush Trackers website for more information.
For a book on bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, there is the popular Best Bushwalks in the Blue Mountains available for purchase online and in bookstores throughout the Blue Mountains - Megalong Books in Leura and Lambdha Books in Wentworth Falls stock it all year-round.
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Videos:
Check out our blog post on Bushwalks in the Blue Mountains to see great previews of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Kings Tableland and Mount Banks walks.
Things to do with the kids
Fruit Picking in Bilpin
Fruit Picking in Bilpin is extremely popular between January and May, and has people travelling for miles to pick their own apples and other wonderful fruits straight from the tree. Many heirloom varieties are grown with love in Bilpin and Mt Wilson is known for it’s chestnut season.
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
We have listed a selection of orchards that are open for apple picking below, however there are even more orchards throughout Bilpin and other areas of the Blue Mountains with peaches, chestnuts, walnuts and more available.
The Hawkesbury Harvest
The Hawkesbury Harvest directory lists farm gates, markets and locations for you to pick your own food throughout the region and is a useful resource when planning your day trip.
Bilpin Springs Orchard
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Bilpin Springs Orchard in Bilpin grows apples that are commonly found in the fruit shop, such as Pink Lady and Red Delicious Apples, however if you are familiar with lesser-known varieties, Bramley Cookers and Gravenstein will make a trip to Bilpin worth your while.
The whole range of fresh fruit available for picking includes Plums, Pears, Quinces, Figs, Persimmons and various varieties of apples and blueberries. The season for picking your own generally starts from late January to June. As with all of the orchards, to avoid disappointment it is best to call or email first.
A list of the apple varieties and a comprehensive seasonal guide can be found on the Bilpin Springs Orchard website.
Details: You can take your own bags, or use a basket or bag provided by the orchard. There is no entry fee at the gate but a minimum purchase of $5 is assumed.
Address: 2550 Bells Line of Road
Bilpin NSW 2758
Ph: 02 4567 1294
Shields Orchard
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Do you know your apples? Enjoy picking old English varieties such as Bramleys and Cox Orange Pippens for apple pie at the well-known Shields Family Orchard. Other popular varieties at the Shields Family Orchard include Braeburn, Firmgold, Late Fuji and Pink Lady.
A list of the full range of fruit varieties are listed on the Shield’s Orchard website, and you can sign up to be receive notifications when your favourite variety is ready for harvesting.
Plant Your Own Potato Patch
The Shields family are passionate about connecting people back to the source of where their food comes from - during blossom time between September and October in Bilpin, families plant their own potato patch at the orchard - for free. A few months later, the families receive an email to notify them that their potato patch is ready and you can harvest up to 3kg of potatoes to take home.
Details: Always call ahead and let them know you are going to avoid missing out. No entry fee, only pay for what you pick. You can take your own bags, or use a basket or bag provided by the orchard.
Address: 2270 Bells Line of Road Bilpin
Ph: 02 4567 1206
Bilpin Fruit Bowl
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Veggie picking in Bilpin
The Bilpin Fruit Bowl is currently the only working farm in NSW that welcomes the public for fruit picking and also to pick their very own vegetables. Visitors love connecting their kids with the source of their food, and having picked it themselves, it may the first time some fussy eaters feel completed to crunch into a carrot! You can take your own bags, or use bags supplied by the farm, to pick from a range of fruit such as peaches, apples and strawberries. All vegetables are chemical free, and visitors can wander over the 4 acres of vegetables and pick food for dinner right from the source.
In the Bilpin Fruit Bowl shop you can pick up apple pies and slices made right on the premises. The shop also sells local honey and jams.
Fruit and Veggie picking is available on weekends, and the Bilpin Fruit Bowl store is open 7 days a week.
An entry fee of $2.50 per person applies, while children under 5 enter free.
Address: 2093 Bells Line of Road Bilpin NSW 2758
Telephone:45671152
Pine Crest Orchard
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Nestled behind the Bilpin school, Pine Crest Orchard have Apples, Plums, Berries, Nuts, Nashi and Traditional Pears available to pick from the tree. Details of the different fruit varieties and their best time for harvest are listed on the Pine Crest Orchard website.
Details: No entrance fee. Pay for what you pick from January to May. Take your own bag or use a basket provided by the orchard.
Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until April.
Address: 2549 Bells Line of Road (Just behind the Primary School)
Ph: 02 4567 1143
Hawkesbury Farmgate Trail App
The Hawkesbury Harvest recently developed an app for both iphone and android smartphone users, to guide users in making your own Farm Gate Trail throughout NSW.
Using the ‘close to me’ function, you can have the location, contact details and opening times for the various orchards, olive farms and markets around Bilpin and the Hawkesbury all at your fingertips.
The capability to search specifically for ‘famer’s markets’, ‘produce’, ‘pick your own’ or ‘things to do’, allows the user to find things of particular interest, and quickly make a plan of places to visit for the day.
Download the app for iphone here: The Farm Gate Trail
Download the app for android here: The Farm Gate Trail
Nut Picking in Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson are home to many of the chestnut and walnut farms of the Blue Mountains. The main season for picking nuts is in autumn. A small number of properties open in March and April for visitors to pick nuts for eating and cooking. Gloves and buckets are supplied.
The villages of Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson are very small and there will be no café or shop to buy snacks or lunch. It is a great opportunity to take a picnic lunch and explore the local area for a picnic with a view.
Fern Hill Farm at Mt Wilson
Details: 52 The Avenue, Mt Wilson
Ph: 02 4756 2008
M: 0418 676 468
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Kookotonga Farm at Mt Irvine
Details: 247 Mt Irvine Road
Mt Irvine NSW 2786
Lat 33S 24' 6" Long 149E 39' 1"
Ph: 02 4756 2136
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Nutwood Farm at Mt Irvine
Details: 22 Danes Way, Mt Irvine
Ph: 02 4756 2191
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Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
The Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine Village Website has information on the various things to do in addition to nut picking to make your day out a complete adventure. The Mt Wilson Autumn Festival is a popular event.
Image: David Lori Photography
Bilpin Bush Tours
"Bilpin Bush Tours" have launched recently in Bilpin, leaving from Pine Crest Orchard every Saturday morning. Led by Ross Ingram formerly of the Mount Tomah Botanic garden, tours are on foot and last about 1 hour but at a leisurely pace with lots of stops. Ross is a nature loverkeen to provide a greater awareness of the wonderful native plants of Bilpin and the Blue Mountains Region. The tour aims to provide an understanding of the native plant associations of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and Wollemi national parks and to give visitors a relaxed bushwalking experience, getting back to nature in the Australian Bush. Finish up the walk and head somewhere in Bilpin for a picnic or to one of the local cafe's for lunch.
Image: Bilpin Bush Tours
Times: Saturday commencing at 11:00am and again at 12:30 pm.
Suitable for the physically active from 6 years and upwards
Depart from Pine Crest Orchard Fruit shed 2549 Bells Line of Rd. Bilpin
Cost. Adults $25. Children 6-16 accompanied by an adult $10. (Pay cash on the day)
Minimum number of 5 required for tour to be conducted. Maximum 15.
Bookings call 4567 1143 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Requirements: Strong walking shoes, preferably long sleeves and long pants to avoid any scratching from vegetation.
Scenic World
Celebrating 70 years of innovative tourism in the Blue Mountains, Scenic World is a unique way to experience the wonder and immensity of the valleys of the Blue Mountains. Whether you are descending down into rainforest on a relaxing cableway ride, or zooming down the cliff on the world’s steepest railway, Scenic World truly an attraction to put on your bucket list.
Image: Scenic World, Blue Mountains
Leuralla
Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum is a heritage building in Leura filled with a fascinating and extensive collection of toys from all over the world, and from many points in time. With history of interest for young and old, Leuralla is a great place to visit for children of all ages. Show the kids what toys were like while you were a child, reminisce and enjoy the collection while learning about the history of the family that owned the mansion previously. Enjoy a walk through the immaculate gardens, housing original train station seating houses, and an outdoors working miniature train set. Great for a rainy day, team it up with some of our rainy day suggestions below for a great wet day out.
For Art Lovers
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and Art Gallery
In the centre of bustling Katoomba, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is home to the Blue Mountains Art Gallery, library, café and cultural shop, and has quickly become Katoomba’s artistic beating heart.
Image: Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
See our page on galleries in the Blue Mountains for an extensive list of galleries.
Attractions with a bit of history
The Woodford Academy is a collection of sandstone buildings based in Woodford dating back as far as the 1830’s. As part of the National Trust historic site has had many uses and tours on every third Saturday of the month reveal the site’s interesting past. The Woodford Academy has undergone a recent revival with a local community group stepping in to save the site from possible demolition and breathing new life into its programme. Visitors can now enjoy art exhibitions, a visit with an artist in residence and other exciting events throughout the year.
Like the Facebook Page to follow what is currently happening and accurate opening times: Woodford Academy on Facebook
Image: Woodfrod Academy
Something a Little Different
Virgin Walls in Blackheath – Blackheath is a village of the mountains that exudes country charm. Visitors instantly relax upon arrival. Virgin Walls recently opened to bring fresh, contemporary artworks, events and creative pop-up shops to the sleepy village of Blackheath. Welcomed with open arms by locals and visitors alike, this fabulously changeable space has something new every time you return.
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
For Garden Lovers
The annual Leura Gardens Festival is held in Spring each year and attracts thousands of visitors to the Blue Mountains to see the amazing cold-climate gardens in bloom.
Originally owned by Henri Van Der velde, the Everglades Historic House and Gardens located in Leura is a stunning manicured garden lovingly maintained by the National Trust. With expansive gardens designed by Paul Sorensen, an opulent 1930’s weekender turned tearooms, and squash court turned art gallery, this garden run mainly by volunteers is a must-see for garden lovers and art deco-lovers alike.
Images: Ann Niddrie Photographer
For Antique Lovers
Victory Theatre
Victory Theatre in Blackheath is on the Antique shopping trail – long having been a secret place for stylists and designers from the city to come picking for things for photo shoots and film sets, the antique shops have a plethora of curios, still at an affordable price.
Images: Ann Niddrie Photographer
There are so many thing to do in the Blue Mountains. For a quick list of more attractions at a glance, see our list below sorted by village, and follow the links for more attractions near your chosen Blue Mountains accommodation. Search by location or use the advanced search option to find accommodation for more specific needs. We are constantly updating this page on the attractions in the Blue Mountains however pop over to our News page while you are planning your getaway to see new things happening all the time.
Hazelbrook
The Pink Flamingo - sells colourful, quirky, collectable Retro delights at prices that you can't go past.
Images: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Wentworth Falls
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Leura
Katoomba
The Paragon Cafe
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Blackheath
Blue Mountains National Park Gallery & Information Centre
Megalong Valley
The Megalong Valley is a popular location for horse riding trails.
Megalong Valley Farm & Heritage Centre
Mt Victoria
Image: Ann Niddrie Photographer
Little Hartley
