Leura
Olympian Rock Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park
Leura
On the edge of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, Leura comes with charm to spare. Discover character-filled heritage homes, glorious cool-climate gardens and a National Trust-classified town centre lined with boutique shops and cherry trees beloved by Instagrammers during blossom season.
Highlights
Parks & gardens
The magnificent seasonal colours of the Blue Mountains are on full display during the annual Leura Garden Festival every October, when a number of private estates open their grounds to the public. But many of the region’s splendid parks and gardens are open throughout the year. Don’t miss the historic Art Deco house, Everglades, which is National Trust-listed and draws on the great tradition of European garden design through the visionary work of Danish gardener, Paul Sorensen. Recent renovations have created a new art gallery in the old squash court, showcasing local creatives.
Walks amid nature
Explore amazing walks within easy reach of Leura – while some might seem long on paper, you can always do just a section and turn around to return once you feel like you have had enough. Head to Elysian Rock and Olympian Rock lookouts for incredible views of the Jamison Valley and the rear end of the Three Sisters. Both walks will take you less than 20 minutes to complete.
More incredible vistas can be taken in from the aptly-named Sublime Point, a 5km return walk. The pretty Gordon Falls tumbles 200 metres down the escarpment and is ideal for families, just a short walk from the reserve. It also marks the end of the seven-kilometre Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Katoomba and is the halfway point of the Grand Cliff Top Walk. For a tranquil picnic, spread your blanket under soaring gums eucalypts at pretty Leura Cascades – it’s a 1.5km return walk.
Olympian Rock Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park
Meanwhile, the challenging (but popular) Furber Steps walk offers superb views over Jamison Valley. Descending into the valley, you’ll enter a world of lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls. As you stop to gaze across at majestic Mount Solitary rising out of the valley floor, you might hear the call of the catbird or wompa pigeon.
The recently opened Grand Cliff Top Walk is a 19km, two-day trek that starts at Wentworth Falls and ends at Katoomba. It’s an ideal way to see many of the highlights in the Blue Mountains National Park, and it is recommended that hikers stay overnight in Leura.
Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains - Credit: R Brand/DPE
Local Colour
Learn more about village life, Blue Mountains’ history and local characters on a guided walk with Mountain Tales. Your host has lived here all her life, and there’s not much she doesn’t know about this part of the world. Leura is the mountains’ most vibrant shopping centre, with a host of eclectic homewares, fashion and antique shops to discover.
Browse for gifts and retro clothing, marvel at the extensive teapot collection and other antiques at Bygone Beautys. A collective of Blue Mountains artisans and makers, The Nook is stocked with everything from macrame plant hangers and handmade pottery to silk scarves and silver trinkets as well as fashion and homewares. Stock up on delicious homemade chocolates at Josophan's – they sell blocks, clusters, drinking chocolate, ice-cream toppings and much more.
Josophan's Chocolate Shop, Leura
Restaurants, cafes & bars
From the front, Leura Gourmet looks like a regular cafe, but the seating area at the back has jaw-dropping views over the valley through floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy breakfast and lunch or pick up local gourmet treats for a picnic. To capture the botanical essence of the village, don’t miss brunch at Sorensen’s Glasshouse, a plant nursery and cafe tucked away in a shady back street. The Leopard Deli has taken over the historic Leura railway garage, serving Italian classic for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sorensens Glasshouse & Gardens, Leura
The brightly coloured Taqueria Arriba offers a flavourful fusion of Mexican and Filipino cuisine. For authentic Korean barbecue, head to Jiggle and cook your meal on a charcoal grill. Soak up spectacular sunset views over cocktails at Elysian, set on the top of Leura Mall. Polar Bear is a cosy spot for Mediterranean share plates, wine and cocktails. Or splash out with dinner at Embers Restaurant at the Fairmont Resort, where you’ll be dazzled by both the impeccable cuisine and the stunning vistas over the Jamison Valley.
Where to stay
You’ll find some of the finest accommodation in the Blue Mountains in Leura. Families will love the sprawling Fairmont Resort with more than 220 rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, an ice skating rink, and the KidsZone with arcade games, jungle gym, merry-go-round and a mini train. Hotel Etico is Australia’s first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel, training and employing people with disabilities. Comfort Resort Leura Gardens is surrounded by 4.5 acres of beautiful heritage gardens. There are also many secluded cottages nestled among the bushland surrounding the town.
Getting there
Leura is just over a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney and is less than five minutes from Katoomba. It is also easily accessed by train from Central Station on the Blue Mountains line, and the journey takes around two hours.
