The must-do highlights of the Blue Mountains in three days

From iconic sights and trails, to new experiences that tap into current trends or ancient connection to Country, this three-day itinerary showcases the natural and cultural gems of the Blue Mountains.

The new $10 million Grand Cliff Top Walk from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba.

DAY ONE

Morning

Start your Blue Mountains adventure by embarking on its newest attraction, the Grand Cliff Top Walk, a 19-kilometre two-day trail that traverses the northern escarpment of the Jamison Valley between Wentworth Falls and Katoomba, connecting existing tracks that have undergone extensive refurbishment. Although designed as a Camino-style village-to-village journey, the walk is accessible from different points along the route, allowing walkers to tailor the length of their hike and dip in and out at will. To get a taste of the incredible new trackwork, follow the wayfaring Wumbarrung (yellow-tailed black cockatoo) symbol that marks the trail from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, following the Overcliff/Undercliff Track that hugs the fern-clad cliffside beneath dramatic rock overhangs. At the Valley of the Waters junction, pause for a coffee break on the terrace at the Conservation Hut, before taking the Short Cut Track back to the carpark at Wentworth Falls.

Afternoon

Find Gin Parlour tucked away in the Savoy Theatre.Credit: David Hill, Deep Hill Media

After your morning’s calf-burn, wind down as you indulge in another iconic Blue Mountains tradition – high tea. While the elegant spread at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel – served with bucolic views of the Megalong Valley through floor-to-ceiling picture windows – is the most classic High Tea experience in the Mountains, there are various other iterations, including the art deco charms of the Avalon, located in the dress circle of the former Savoy Theatre. Prefer something a little stiffer than tea with your scones? Try Avalon’s new Gin High Tea, where three tiers of housemade savouries and sweets are served alongside glass teapots filled with gin-based cocktails created from the Blue Mountains Gin Company range.

Evening

The social hub of the Blue Mountains is fast becoming Blue Mountains Sauna at Leura, where friends and family gather to “Sit, Sweat, Chill, Repeat”. The first communal Finnish-style sauna in Australia to promote traditional sauna etiquette, it’s a place to slow down and connect to others as you sweat it out in 90-degree heat.

Experience a true Finnish-style communal sauna.Credit: Declan Blackall

Don’t miss the special ‘infusion’ sessions where a ‘saunameister’ leads a ritual involving essential oils, water and air to create a sensory experience, before plunging into an icy bath to bring the body temperature down.

Continue the sizzle up the road at Jiggle, the Blue Mountains’ only Korean barbecue joint, cooking wagyu beef and vegetables over coals and creating wraps from a cornucopia of side dishes in lettuce and radish leaves; or feast on finger-licking Korean chicken, dumplings or hearty stews whipped up in the kitchen. End your evening by sinking into a studded Chesterfield lounge, cocktail in hand, at the Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern, a speakeasy hidden beneath the entrance of Fairmont Resort and Spa.

Korean barbecue in the Mountains at Jiggle.

DAY TWO

Morning

Early birds may wish to catch the sunrise at Echo Point, beating the crowds as the licks of light bring the evocative Three Sisters rock formation to life. For an early morning caffeine fix, join devout locals at Cassiopeia in Lurline St, or grab a fresh pastry at Black Cockatoo Bakery in Katoomba Street – its chocolate and almond croissants have been praised by chef Matt Moran as the best in Australia. Then head west to Blackheath to tackle arguably the most popular hike in the Blue Mountains, the Grand Canyon Track. A challenging 6.3 kilometre loop, this magical trail winds down picturesque sandstone staircases to the primordial valley floor, past pristine streams and towering canyon walls dripping with moss and ferns. If you prefer your wow-factor in seclusion, however, take a drive along Hat Hill Road – recently reopened after being scorched in the 2020 bushfires – to the incredible, sculpted Wind Eroded Cave before making the short climb to Anvil Rock for a grandstand view of the dramatic Grose Valley wilderness in all its silent majesty.

Afternoon

Megalong Icelandics

Head across the railway line at Blackheath and wind your way through lush temperate rainforest to Megalong Valley, a tranquil rural enclave with verdant rolling pastures flanked by soaring sandstone cliffs. Stop by the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms – serving Devonshire teas and homemade apple pies since 1956 – to browse for organic produce plucked straight from the garden at neighbouring Lot101 during its Saturday farmgate stall. Just after the Old Ford Reserve, turn onto the Six Foot Track where you’ll discover two of the closest – and loveliest – cellar doors to Sydney. Sip on the range of single vineyard wines created by third generation Mudgee winemaker Jacob Stein at Megalong Creek Estate; or settle in for a leisurely tasting at dog- and family-friendly Dryridge Estate, where seven vintage varietals are served alongside charcuterie boards and cheese platters. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the gorgeous vistas of the glowing Narrow Neck escarpment, pop down and say hello to the adorable equine furballs at Megalong Icelandic Horses, where you can have a riding lesson on how to sit a gait peculiar to these sturdy horses, the tölt.

Evening

Farm fresh dishes at Megalong Restaurant.Credit: Zach Riley

Back at Lot101, the garden-fresh produce forms the basis for a tasting menu at Megalong Restaurant, with acclaimed chef Colin Barker working in tandem with the farm team to create dishes that reflect the bounty of the seasons. Also championing local produce is the Mediterranean-inspired Ates at Blackheath, with head chef William Cowan-Lunn and his team honoured with the Blue Mountains’ only Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide chefs’ hat for their signature wood-fired creations. Across the road, the quirky Frankie and Mo’s wine bar serves a curated selection of Australian and international natural wines, including their own Frankly, This Wine Was Made By Bob label, paired with an innovative menu of seasonal share plates. Finish your evening with a cocktail at the ultra-cool and intimate Side B Vinyl Bar, a slice of Surry Hills with its velvet drapes, retro vibe and lovingly selected playlist of classic vinyl albums.

DAY THREE

Morning

A friend recently told me that my introduction to the hash brown with house-cured salmon and horseradish cream at Tempus Up Early had “ruined her for life”. It’s really that good, and in my opinion the best way to start any day in the Blue Mountains. After heeding my advice, wander down Katoomba St, checking out the thrift shops and art galleries as well as the stunning, constantly evolving murals of the Street Art Walk in Beverly Place. Wander back up the hill to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and City Art Gallery, which has an enticing rotation of exhibitions including ones celebrating local artists. Your $5 entry fee also includes entry into ‘Into the Blue’, an interactive display that explores the natural and cultural landscapes of the Blue Mountains. A great alternative to the real thing, especially in inclement weather.

Afternoon

The Beyond Skyway experience takes just four guests at a time.

At Scenic World, several new attractions add a new dimension to its evergreen nature-based experiences. Join Uncle David King and his team of First Nations guides on a personalised journey onto Gundungurra Country, learning about their connection to the land, its landscapes, the seasons and native animals on the intimate, engaging and informative Buunyal Tour (available four days a week). The only experience of its kind in the Blue Mountains, Buunyal (meaning ‘sun’ in Gundungurra language) is an excellent introduction to the culture and lore that provides the Blue Mountains with so much of its mystique. For an eagle’s-eye view of this incredible Country, and an adrenaline rush to boot, crawl through the hatch of Scenic World’s Skyway to stand on its roof, safely harnessed but with the vast Jamison Valley literally at your feet on the Beyond Skyway experience. The silence and majesty are overwhelming as you take in the Three Sisters glowing in the afternoon light, with the plummeting Katoomba Falls an equally imposing backdrop as you toast this special moment.

Evening

More majestic mountain vistas at Elysian Bar and Restaurant.

Nab a coveted window seat at Elysian Bar and Restaurant to watch the changing hues of Mount Solitary as the sun descends over the Jamison Valley, craft cocktail in hand to toast nature’s artistry. Linger in this heritage-listed Edwardian manor over a dinner menu of Asian fusion share plates, with attentive service complementing the enticing food and beverage offerings. After, stretch your legs on the Katoomba Falls Night-Lit Walk, where 390 LED lights create a magical nocturnal experience showcasing nature at its most magnificent. Follow the gentle 1.5 kilometre boardwalk, passing seven viewpoints of the spotlighted Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters, before arriving at the tumbling cascades, where there are plenty of seats to pause and absorb the serenity. Look up and admire the twinkling night sky, a blanket of diamonds due to minimal light pollution. If the intrigue of spotting the Southern Cross and Pleiades is irresistible, you can also join an astronomy tour or stargazing dinner presented by Blue Mountains Stargazing, viewing the details of planets, nebula and the Milky Way through a telescope under the guidance of an experienced astronomer.

The writer is a Blue Mountains local and was hosted by Scenic World, Blue Mountains Sauna and several restaurants.