Morning

The Blue Mountains are just 90 minutes' drive from central Sydney. Set off early and stop at Kickaboom in Glenbrook, the mountains first official township. This very cool little cafe serves great coffee, house-made liquorice bread and crumpets, and nourishing breakfast bowls.

Back in the car, it's about 45 minutes to reach the Blue Mountains' most famous sight – the Three Sisters. These iconic sandstone pillars stand high above the Jamison Valley and were formed by thousands of years of erosion. They hold a deep significance for the local Indigenous people and are part of rich Dreamtime stories passed down through the generations. The Echo Point lookout offers the best viewpoint and you can also see the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary.

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains - Credit: Filippo Rivetti

Afternoon

Turn around – lunch is just 200 metres behind you. The Lookout is perched on the edge of the escarpment, offering more spectacular views over the valley below. Inside, Bar NSW offers a relaxed menu of share plates and pub-style classics, plus an extensive list of NSW wines, beers and spirits.

Get a different perspective on the Jamison Valley from Scenic World, a one-of-a-kind attraction that has been enchanting visitors since 1945. Descend to the valley floor on the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest passenger train with a 52-degree incline. Hike back up from the bottom or catch the 545-metre Scenic Cableway. The Scenic Skyway glides between the clifftops 270 metres above the valley floor, offering breathtaking views from the wraparound windows. Feeling brave? Sign up for the Beyond Skyway experience and step out onto the roof of the cabin.

Scenic World, Katoomba

Evening

The Blue Mountains was the first true tourist destination for Sydney, drawing travellers for more than 200 years. So, it makes sense to bed down in a heritage hotel. We've got two suggestions, dependent on your budget. If you don't want to spend a fortune, try the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba, a grand old lady that first opened in 1883. If you want to splurge, drive 10 minutes along the Great Western Highway to Medlow Bath and the Hydro Majestic, an impeccably restored landmark that oozes luxury.

The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath

Freshen up (and maybe grab a cocktail in the bar) before a delightful dinner. Ates is a one-hat restaurant in Blackheath, named for the Ottoman word for 'fire'. The menu is based around dishes cooked in a 150-year-old ironbark oven, so expect exceptional roasted free-range duck, grilled fish and wood fired vegetables.

Morning

Slept well? Great, because you're about to put your body through its paces this morning. The Blue Mountains Adventure Company in Katoomba is the starting point for your four-hour introductory abseiling adventure. Don't worry if abseiling is new territory: the experience begins with a series of small abseils to help you find your feet. You gradually tackle higher and higher drops, until you're taking a 30-metre descent in your stride.

Blue Mountains Adventure Company, Katoomba - Credit: David Hill | Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism

Afternoon

If your legs are a bit wobbly after your cliffside feats, never fear – lunch is just across the road. The Mountain Culture Beer Co brewpub is inside a beautifully restored 1912 building, once home to the local newspaper, and is famous for its burgers. Wash them down with a tasting paddle of their unique craft beers.

Mountain Culture Beer Co, Katoomba

The bushwalking in the Blue Mountains is sublime and the choices are endless. This afternoon, choose between two options. The first is the two-hour Govetts Leap descent in Blackheath, starting at the Govetts Leap Lookout, which has stunning views over escarpments, cliffs and the Grose Valley. This is a challenging Grade 4 walk, steep in parts and with lots of steps, but you'll be rewarded by waterfalls, hanging swamps and the rare and endangered plant known as Fletcher's drumsticks.

Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath

Alternatively, try the slightly easier (but longer) Grand Canyon Track, also in Blackheath, and starting from Evans Lookout. People have been walking this famous track for more than a century, admiring the sandstone walls, lush vegetation and waterfalls. The 6.3-kilometre loop should take you about four hours.

Evening

As the sun sets, sit down at Echoes Restaurant for dinner. This fine dining favourite has an innovative modern Australian menu, a stellar wine list and views to die for. In warmer month, book a seat on the verandah or stay cosy in the glass-walled dining room over winter.

The night's not over yet. Head to Wentworth Falls Lookout to join an expert astrophysicist from Blue Mountains Stargazing for a fascinating tour of the night sky. With the naked eye, you'll see stars, planets and constellations. Then look through one of the high-powered telescopes to identify the craters of the moon, Saturn's rings and the Orion Nebula.

Blue Mountains Stargazing, Wentworth Falls

Morning

How active are you feeling today? You could head for the Wentworth Falls Lookout, which faces the dramatic Wentworth Falls, tumbling for almost 200 metres over a sandstone cliff. Follow the short but steep Wentworth Falls Track down around 200 stairs to the cliff-edge Fletchers lookout and further on to the very top of the falls. The 1.4-kilomtre walk will take 45 minutes to an hour. Or you can take the Wentworth Pass Loop Track to the base of the falls for a swim in the natural pool. This five-kilometre loop takes around four hours.

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Wentworth Falls

If you prefer to explore on two wheels, speak to the team from Blue Mountains Biking Adventures. They can meet you at the start of any of the local trails with a top-of-the-line mountain bike ready to go. The Faulconbridge Point Lookout trail and Blue Gum Swamp ride are great for beginners or families. The 27-kilometre Woodford - Oaks Trail is tougher, but rewards with incredible views. Experts can tackle the 28-kilometre Andersons Trail with its ultra-steep sections, loose gravel and plenty of obstacles.

Blue Mountains Biking Adventures, Katoomba

Afternoon

After a busy morning, it's time to slow down and enjoy some of the more indulgent offerings of the Blue Mountains. Megalong is a hatted restaurant in a secluded corner of the Megalong Valley, surrounded by the sustainable Lot 101 farm that provides much of what you see on the plate. Vegetables, fruit, chickens, sheep, pigs and more are raised here, all with a commitment to regenerative agriculture and seasonal abundance. A long lunch here is a meal you will remember for a long time, made even more special by the 360-degree views from the dining room.

Megalong, Megalong Valley - Credit: Werriberri Cottages

Evening

Take the long way home and return to Sydney via the picturesque Bells Line of Road. It winds around towering mountains and through untouched bushland, lush orchards and postcard perfect villages. Along the way, stop at Hillbilly Cider for a tasting of their refreshing apple and pear ciders, and pick up a growler to take with you.

Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin