What to Do
Experiences
You do not need to travel far. The best of the Blue Mountains is within walking distance or a short drive.
The Cliff Top Track
Step out the gate and onto one of the finest walking tracks in Australia. The cliff walk follows the edge of the Grose Valley from Twin Falls to Evans Lookout via Govetts Leap, passing waterfalls, lookouts, and stands of scribbly gum. It's well marked but does have steep sections, so you won't need a map, but do take water and snacks.
Sunrise at Hat Hill
Seeing the sun rise over Sydney 100km to the East with a loved one is special. It's a 5-10 minute walk from the car park. , so leave, when the valley is still in shadow and the rock face turns rose-gold. Take a torch and thermos or return to the cottage for a hot breakfast afterwards.
Wind Eroded Cave
A large but shallow overhang of tessellated sandstone, scoured by wind into ripples and hollows that resemble frozen waves. The cave faces west, so the late sun turns the rock the colour of burnt honey. It is a two-minute walk from the car park along a gentle track. No need to take a torch. And as a bonus take a five-minute detour to visit Anvil Rock for a view across the valley to the cliffs of the Grose and Mount Banks.
The Grand Canyon Track
A loop walk that descends into the canyon, crosses the creek on stepping stones, and climbs back through shaded rainforest. Named by early visitors who thought it rivalled the American original. Wet feet likely. Start before 8AM to avoid the crowds.
Blackheath Village
The highest village in the Blue Mountains, and the quietest. A couple of bakeries that open at 6am, a second-hand bookshop with a cat, two pubs and half a dozen cafes including The Victory, as well as a monthly farmers market where you can buy everything for your Sunday dinner.
Nearby
Places Worth Knowing
Campbell Rhododendron Gardens
Twenty hectares of cool-climate gardens planted with rhododendrons, azaleas, and native species. In October and November, the flowers are extraordinary — pinks, reds, and whites against the dark mountain soil. The rest of the year, it is a peaceful place to walk through miles of plantings with benches placed for contemplation.
Aqua Ignis Bathhouse & Spa
Hot rock sauna. Herbal steam room. Magnesium mineral bath. Cold plunge pools. Yin-Yang rest areas. Discover a space for renewal - where warmth, vitality, and connection flow together
Blackheath Golf Course
An eighteen-hole course at 1,065 metres, with bush views from every tee. The fairways are narrow, the bunkers deep, and the wind unpredictable. The clubhouse serves a decent schnitzel and has a verandah where non-players can wait in comfort.
When to Visit
Spring
September-November. Waratahs and flannel flowers. The waterfalls are full. Days are mild, nights still cool enough for the fire.
Summer
December-February. Cooler than Sydney by 8-10 degrees. Perfect for long walks and late evenings on the verandah. Cicadas in the afternoons. Frogs in the evenings.
Autumn
March-May. The deciduous trees in Wentworth Street turn gold, red and crimson. The light is softer. The fire becomes essential.
Winter
June-August. Frost on the grass. Occasional snow. The fire never goes out. The mist sits in the valley til mid-morning. The best season for reading, sipping and relaxing.