7 things to do in the Blue Mountains

Dramatic scenery, a cult-run café and cherry blossom charm.

Having been on my ‘to-visit’ list for some time, this world heritage-listed wonderland with its hazy blue horizons and eccentric villages didn’t disappoint.

Never-ending eucalyptus forests, vast canyons and ancient rock formations characterise the landscape of the Blue Mountains and around it are several quaint and historic villages, three of which – Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath – I had the pleasure of visiting.

There is so much to do in the Blue Mountains, but here I’ve picked out seven things I v. much enjoyed.

1. Hike from Leura to Wentworth Falls

With hundreds of bushwalks to choose from, walking is the main activity to do in the Blue Mountains.

One we were recommended was the Leura to Wentworth Falls trek which takes roughly five hours, depending on how much you faff. The walking route is carved out of the sheer cliff face and meanders from Leura cascade all the way down to Wentworth Falls, passing several ‘mini’ waterfalls, creeks and rainforest-filled gorges along the way. It gets quite steep towards the end – you need to go down ladders at the very bottom.

At the bottom you can swim in the waterfall but be warned it is freeeeezing.

2. Visit the Echo Point lookout

For views of the iconic sandstone peaks named ‘The Three Sisters’ (the feature image of this post), the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary, visit Echo Point lookout in Katoomba.

The Aboriginal story of the Three Sisters is shrouded in mystery and widely disputed, but the most popular tale centres around three beautiful sisters who captured the hearts of three brothers in a neighbouring tribe, causing an elderly witch to cast a protective spell over them that would temporarily turn them into stone to ward off their admirers – since marrying outside the tribe was forbidden. Sadly, though, she was unable to reverse the spell, so they just got stuck as stone mountains. Unlucky for them, lucky for visitors to the Blue Mountains.

3. Eat at the Yellow Deli

I’d heard this rumoured as a place serving delicious food and run by a cult. I am weirdly fascinated by cults, so obvi this was high on my Blue Mountains bucket list.

It’s certainly an intriguing place, and admittedly I didn’t know much about the ‘cult’ that runs it before visiting. Its dark, slightly lugubrious interior decked out with impressively carved mahogany gives it a treehouse feel that wouldn’t look out of place in The Hobbit and the deli-style food is delicious.

But its hippy vibe and sunflower-daubed walls belie the dark history of the ‘Twelve Tribes’ cult by which it’s run. Its reputation as such is disputed among locals: a local taxi driver claimed it was a religion – but after reading more about it and ex members’ accounts of being “heavily controlled”, I was fairly certain it sounded pretty culty and not a ‘religion’ I’d be signing up to any time soon. Literature about the “community” is scattered around the café and the owners are quite happy to talk about it with visitors.

It’s an interesting place, but there’s something quite peculiar about its ambience; some of the workers make eye contact for a little too long. But if they roofied my drink then I’d still give them a decent review tbf – my nachos were quite delicious.

4. Visit Leura town centre

Leura was such a delight to visit. Spring, when the famous cherry blossoms bloom, is the best time to visit the villages of the Blue Mountains. Leura’s high street is peppered with cute cafés, antique shops and boutiques selling local wares.

Fact about Leura: the word ‘Leura’ is aboriginal for lava, since many volcanic stones have been found in the area.

5. Aunty Ed’s in Katoomba

Aunty Ed’s is a quirky diner with eclectic retro décor, delicious burgers and milkshakes that will give you diabetes. The framed spoons on the wall reminded me of The Room, for anyone else who’s a fan of that ridiculous film.

6. Visit Blackheath

Plenty of the Blue Mountains’ walks either pass by or start from Blackheath, but the town centre itself – like Katoomba and Leura – is really pretty. Like Leura, Blackheath is home to various crafty shops and is the most fashionable place to stay in the Blue Mountains. Apparently it hosts an annual chainsaw competition as part of a rhododendron festival – which says more 80s horror film than fashionable, but anyway. It’s from here you can walk to Govetts Leap lookout – one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. This view was the first IRL evidence I’ve seen of the devastating impact left by the bushfires; from this viewpoint you could see where the land had been completely ravaged, which was pretty sad.

7. Scenic World

Though a tourist trap, Scenic World is a must if you’re visiting the Blue Mountains for the first time. A pass to Scenic World gives you access to the Scenic Skyway, the cable car passing over the Katoomba Falls the Three Sisters, Mount Solitary and Jamison Valley; and the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest railway line descending into the rainforest. Once at the bottom, there’s a walk of the basin where you can explore the location’s coal-mining history, as well as its unique flora and fauna.