Mount Victoria

History & culture 

The rich history of this town is revealed as you walk around its streets, passing the grand Imperial Hotel, the 1914 Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, and the 1868 Gatekeeper’s Cottage. For railway memorabilia and an eclectic collection of local artefacts, visit Mount Victoria Museum at the 1868 sandstone railway station. 

Enjoy a charming blast from the past at Mount Vic Flicks, an independent arthouse cinema that captures the golden age of Australian country picture theatres. Grab a choc-top or cup of tea in a real china cup and settle back for a retro movie-watching experience. 

Mount Vic Flicks, Mount Victoria - Credit: Mount Vic Flicks

Endless views 

Surrounded by bushland and one of the highest towns in the Blue Mountains, Mount Victoria boasts some easy walking trails to lookouts over neighbouring valleys. From Mount Piddington, walk to Hornes Point for incredible views over the Kanimbla Valley. Or, take the winding track to Fairy Bower Reserve, with waterfalls casting mist and rainbows over the countryside. 

At  Mount York  there is a monument to early explorers; while nearby, Berghofer’s Pass – the original route for motor cars tackling the descent into the Hartley Valley – is an easy walk of historical significance. At Mitchells Ridge Lookout, an obelisk commemorates the opening of Victoria Pass in 1832, one of the oldest and most significant engineered works in Australia still in use today.

Mount Piddington Lookout, Mount Victoria - Credit: Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centres

The long way home 

Time to head home? From Mount Victoria, take the alternative route back to Sydney via the Bells Line of Road, detouring to visit the garden village of Mount Wilson before continuing through the apple orchards of Bilpin, home to the award-winning Bilpin Cider and Hillbilly Cider Shed. And don’t miss the incredible Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, a spectacular cool-climate garden featuring thousands of plants from around the world. 

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah, Blue Mountains

Where to stay 

A number of grand homes around Mount Victoria have been converted into guesthouses. Closeburn House, which dates back to the late 1800s, was fully restored in 2018 and now features eight stylish and luxurious suites. The former summer retreat of newspaper baron John Fairfax, the Manor House built in 1876, is the location of Hotel Etico, Australia’s first social enterprise hotel providing employment opportunities for people with intellectual abilities. John F Kennedy was a guest at the 200-year-old Victoria & Albert Guesthouse at the end of WWII (and before his time as US President) – his initials are even carved into the fireplace. 

Closeburn House, Mount Victoria - Credit: Closeburn House

Getting there  

Mount Victoria is easily accessible via both the Great Western Highway (one hour and 45 minutes from Sydney) or Bells Line of Road via Richmond and Bilpin (a two-hour drive). It’s also a comfortable two-hour train ride from Central Station on the Blue Mountains line.