Nine new things to do in the Blue Mountains

The modern Blue Mountains is a little different from the place you once visited with your family — here are nine new things you can do.

Yes, you went with your nan when you were kid.

But the modern mountains blends high-end digs with cracking live entertainment, beautiful food, top notch coffee and of course, World Heritage-isted nature.

1. For a romantic stay: Kyah, Blackheath

So new they’ve barely unpacked the exorbitantly high thread count linen, this sleek and chic boutique hotel offers 46 rooms across three wings. The vibe is Palm Beach meets Scandi via Blackheath and there’s a tennis court, steam room and what is reputed to be the oldest Japanese cherry Blossom in the southern hemisphere.

EAT STREET + Valentine's Day 2022 – Kyah Boutique Hotel – interior photo – Steven Woodburn

2. For a fun family getaway: Strawbale Cottage, Leura

This isn’t just a cute name. Hosts Kylie and Dan actually built this warm and expansive home out of strawbales – there is even an honesty window where you can peer at the innards to prove it. Add a sunken lounge complete with wood-burning fireplace, loft space for the kids and stunning bushland surrounds and you’ve got a quirky and cute home away from home.

Strawbale

3. For a hilarious night out: Katoomba Comedy Club, Katoomba

Nestled in the Art Deco lobby of the Avalon Cinema, this stand up club operates on the first and third Friday of every month. It’s roughly a two hour show and costs just $20. Serious value, excellent comedians and they do a fine martini upstairs.

4. For the best beer in the mountains: Mountain Culture, Katoomba

Located just off the main drag, this brew pub does a delicious core range of IPAs but it’s the limited edition runs of sours, stouts and pilseners that means you’ll find something new every time you go. And you’ll want to go heaps.

Mountain Culture Beer Co in Katoomba. Picture: Angelo Velardo/AAP

5. For some properly good coffee: Frankly My Dear, Katoomba

Initially, we fell for the name and funky space, but with beans from Reuben Hills, Seven Seeds and Sample plus a barista who cut his caffeinated teeth at Surry Hills Paramount Coffee Project, this is a cold brew worth travelling for.

6. For exquisite fresh bread: Black Cockatoo, Katoomba

The world divides into two types of people: those who see bread as merely fuel, a staple that hold your sandwich together. Then there are those who get it – who commune with the transcendent glory of crust. The Black Cockatoo team fall squarely into the second category with naturally leavened, slow fermented loaves baked mostly with ancient grains. Grab a sourdough and some butter, head to a nearby lookout – we like Rocket Point in Wentworth Falls – and enjoy two of life’s greatest pleasures.

7. For a three-course bargain: Mr Collins of Leura, Leura

Back in Sydney town, you’d pay double for this meal but at this low-lit, timber-accented temple to gastronomy, $85 will score you the likes of seared scallops with pork jowl and xo sauce, confit spatchcock with corn puree and lovage, plus a kaffir lime panna cotta with mango and coconut tuille.

Mr Collins restaurant in Leura. Source: Facebook

8. For a great family feed: Aunty Ed’s, Katoomba

While the Paragon Café once lured generations of visitors it remains shuttered. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the mantle has been taken up by this fun and friendly restaurant that’s equal parts kitsch and cool. The burgers are massive and old school but it’s in the dessert department that Aunty Ed stands out. The Biscoff cheesecake is heavenly.

9. For an active day out: Blue Mountains Bikes

Of course the area abounds in bush walking tracks, but for a more modern escape, these e-bike tours take the biscuit and the hard work out of cycling. Priced from $250, you get a choice of four tracks from 15 to 65 kilometres, no more than seven people on any tour, bike operation briefing, bike and helmet fitting and snacks.

Bike riding in the Blue Mountains. Source: Blue Mountains Bikes

This story first appeared on Escape and has been republished here with permission