Morning: Coffee, chocolates & waterfalls

As you drive out of Sydney towards the Blue Mountains, the Great Western Highway climbs into the mountains, winding its way past picturesque towns including Springwood, Faulconbridge, Wentworth Falls and Leura. A stop at Lawson’s Black Cockatoo Bakery is a must, where artisanal breads are crafted with organic stoneground flour, filtered water and sea salt, before being fermented with wild live cultures to enhance the flavour. Be sure to try the pastries as well, made with Pepe Saya cultured butter, and don’t leave without grabbing a few extra treats for the road. 

From Lawson, it's just a 10-minute drive through pristine bushland to Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, where you can walk to the falls themselves. Start at Jamison Lookout, which boasts a sweeping vista of Jamison Valley. Then head to the Wentworth Falls Track and down log steps to Wentworth Lookout, making sure to keep an eye out for glimpses of the spectacular cascades. For a closer view, take the sidetrack to Fletchers Lookout to get a view of the waterfall from up close.

Views across the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary along the Three Sisters Walking Trail, Katoomba

Afternoon: Lunch & lookouts

The charming town of Leura is one of the prettiest in the region, renowned for its heritage homes and cool-climate gardens. Pop into Leura Gourmet for a lunch of comforting dishes including chicken, potato and leak pie, French steak sandwich and a prawn spaghetti pasta. Be sure to snag a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for views overlooking the valley. Or, for something on the go, head to Little Sista for a great selection of pastries and focaccias.

After lunch, wander down to Josophan’s Fine Chocolates and try pure Belgian drinking chocolate and handmade truffles. Pop by Kate Soady Gallery in Leura Mall, a serene space where the Sydney-born artist showcases her nature-inspired paintings and handcrafted candles. Pulling from the abundant bushland around Leura, Kate’s works are rich with vibrant banksias and cockatoos, evoking the spirit of the surrounding landscape.

Leura Gourmet, Blue Mountains

Then it’s time to hop back in the car and drive to Katoomba for the unmissable Beyond Skyway experience at Scenic World. A world-first 90-minute rooftop cable-car experience, Beyond Skyway invites guests to harness up before stepping onto the roof of the cable car that soars 270m above the Jamison Valley. Take in the breathtaking, open-air panoramas of the Blue Mountains on the rooftop, then enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne, wine or beer as you return to base.

Scenic World Blue Mountains, Katoomba

Evening: Breweries & nighttime walks

One of the first breweries in the Blue Mountains and now recognised as one of the top breweries in Australia – famously winning the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer poll four consecutive years – is Mountain Culture Brewery. Located in Katoomba, this cosy spot is ideal for indulging in gourmet burgers paired with small-batch beers. Relax in the restored heritage-listed building, which has housed everything from a dance saloon to a local newspaper, while sipping from a flight of the brewery’s much-loved pours.

Mountain Culture Brewery - Katoomba, Blue Mountains

Once the sun sets, enjoy the natural beauty of Katoomba in a new light with the Katoomba Falls Reserve Night-lit Walk. At dusk, follow the trail of lights along a 1.5km route and see illuminated cascades, rock walls and natural formations such as Orphan Rock. From select vantage points, you can spy the Three Sisters lit up under the night sky.

Three Sisters, Katoomba