Welcome Home to the Blue Mountains

We are shining a light on small businesses and hidden gems throughout the region by sharing recommendations and tips specially hand-picked by the local host community from the Blue Mountains.


A Taste of the Blue Mountains

Hand-baked goods from Bakery Patisserie Schwarz

Shops 1 & 2, 30 Station Street, Wentworth Falls

This endearing Schwarz family bakery has offered hand-baked continental cakes, traditional pastries, pies and bread daily for over 24 years. This authentic German bakery is not only well known in the Blue Mountains, it is also famous throughout the region with visitors travelling from across Australia to taste one of their treats.

A great place to grab takeaway and head to the nearby lake.

Hand-baked goods from Bakery Patisserie Schwarz

Shops 1 & 2, 30 Station Street, Wentworth Falls

This endearing Schwarz family bakery has offered hand-baked continental cakes, traditional pastries, pies and bread daily for over 24 years. This authentic German bakery is not only well known in the Blue Mountains, it is also famous throughout the region with visitors travelling from across Australia to taste one of their treats.

A great place to grab takeaway and head to the nearby lake.

Toasted sandwiches at Laneway Leura

4/146-148 Leura Mall, Leura

Relax in the peaceful outdoor courtyard of this deli while enjoying a famous Laneway toasted sandwich. Don’t forget to have a taste of their locally roasted coffee if you’re looking for a morning caffeine fix to start your day.

Learn more.

Toasted sandwiches at Laneway Leura

4/146-148 Leura Mall, Leura

Relax in the peaceful outdoor courtyard of this deli while enjoying a famous Laneway toasted sandwich. Don’t forget to have a taste of their locally roasted coffee if you’re looking for a morning caffeine fix to start your day.

Learn more.

Freshly baked delights from Hominy Bakery

185 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Look no further, pastry lovers - grab your morning coffee and a freshly baked croissant at this local bakery on Katoomba’s main street. Famous for their signature sourdough, you’ll be spoiled for choice between their sweet and savoury delights.

Freshly baked delights from Hominy Bakery

185 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Look no further, pastry lovers - grab your morning coffee and a freshly baked croissant at this local bakery on Katoomba’s main street. Famous for their signature sourdough, you’ll be spoiled for choice between their sweet and savoury delights.

Mediterranean flavours at Mesa Barrio

Shop 3, 9 Staples Crescent, Lawson

Mesa Barrio is a charming, cosy restaurant offering up a spread of authentic and delightful dishes and sharing plates from the Mediterranean region, and an ever-evolving wine list featuring wineries from across the country.

Learn more:

Mediterranean flavours at Mesa Barrio

Shop 3, 9 Staples Crescent, Lawson

Mesa Barrio is a charming, cosy restaurant offering up a spread of authentic and delightful dishes and sharing plates from the Mediterranean region, and an ever-evolving wine list featuring wineries from across the country.

Learn more:

A Contemporary Breakfast at Cafe Leura

180 Leura Mall, Leura

If you’re in the mood for brunch, Cafe Leura is a delightful breakfast joint to dine at. Popular dishes include the delicious corn cakes with a middle-eastern twist, or the Eggs Benedict with locally sourced smoked bacon.

Learn more.

A Contemporary Breakfast at Cafe Leura

180 Leura Mall, Leura

If you’re in the mood for brunch, Cafe Leura is a delightful breakfast joint to dine at. Popular dishes include the delicious corn cakes with a middle-eastern twist, or the Eggs Benedict with locally sourced smoked bacon.

Learn more.

Vietnamese favourites at Pho Moi

Shop 1/39 Waratah St, Katoomba

This casual eatery serves up an array of Vietnamese favourites including pho noodle soups, spring and rice paper rolls, rice dishes and noodle salads. Each dish is hand-crafted daily, and if you’re craving something different look out for their daily specials.

Learn more.

Vietnamese favourites at Pho Moi

Shop 1/39 Waratah St, Katoomba

This casual eatery serves up an array of Vietnamese favourites including pho noodle soups, spring and rice paper rolls, rice dishes and noodle salads. Each dish is hand-crafted daily, and if you’re craving something different look out for their daily specials.

Learn more.

Local Hidden Gems

Teddy Sinclair boutique store

177 Leura Mall, Leura

Quirky, charming, and one-of-a-kind, this gift emporium has a wide selection of knick-knacks and apparel to choose from. Check out the Cabinet of Curiosities if you’re looking to pick up an unusual souvenir for a loved one.

Learn more.

Teddy Sinclair boutique store

177 Leura Mall, Leura

Quirky, charming, and one-of-a-kind, this gift emporium has a wide selection of knick-knacks and apparel to choose from. Check out the Cabinet of Curiosities if you’re looking to pick up an unusual souvenir for a loved one.

Learn more.

Megalong Bookshop

183 Leura Mall, Leura

A locally owned independent bookstore in the heart of Leura Village, the wide selection of titles here has been known to keep bookworms comfortably occupied for hours. Look out for books about the Blue Mountains if you are interested to learn more about the cultural and natural history of the region.

Learn more.

Megalong Bookshop

183 Leura Mall, Leura

A locally owned independent bookstore in the heart of Leura Village, the wide selection of titles here has been known to keep bookworms comfortably occupied for hours. Look out for books about the Blue Mountains if you are interested to learn more about the cultural and natural history of the region.

Learn more.

Blue Mountains Makers

Shop 4, 28-30 Station St, Wentworth Falls

From art and ceramics to fashion and home décor, you’re unlikely to leave Blue Mountains Makers empty-handed. This artisanal store brings together local and regional makers to showcase a curated selection of beautifully handcrafted finds.

Learn more.

Blue Mountains Makers

Shop 4, 28-30 Station St, Wentworth Falls

From art and ceramics to fashion and home décor, you’re unlikely to leave Blue Mountains Makers empty-handed. This artisanal store brings together local and regional makers to showcase a curated selection of beautifully handcrafted finds.

Learn more.

Off the Beaten Track

Olympian Lookout

Olympian Parade, Leura

Take a short walk from Leura Village and begin your descent down a flight of concrete steps until you find yourself overlooking the Jamison Valley. Enjoy the breathtaking views and the peace and tranquility of the Blue Mountains. This is a hidden gem not to be missed.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Olympian Lookout

Olympian Parade, Leura

Take a short walk from Leura Village and begin your descent down a flight of concrete steps until you find yourself overlooking the Jamison Valley. Enjoy the breathtaking views and the peace and tranquility of the Blue Mountains. This is a hidden gem not to be missed.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Cahill Lookout

Cahill Lookout, 258-276 Cliff Drive, Katoomba

Watch the closing of the day at this magnificent lookout overlooking the sprawling Megalong Valley. This is one of the most impressive but lesser-known lookouts in the Blue Mountains. The walk also passes the Boar’s Head Lookout, from where you can enjoy views of a unique rock formation that resembles, you guessed it - a boar’s head.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Cahill Lookout

Cahill Lookout, 258-276 Cliff Drive, Katoomba

Watch the closing of the day at this magnificent lookout overlooking the sprawling Megalong Valley. This is one of the most impressive but lesser-known lookouts in the Blue Mountains. The walk also passes the Boar’s Head Lookout, from where you can enjoy views of a unique rock formation that resembles, you guessed it - a boar’s head.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Hargraves Lookout

Hargraves Lookout, Shipley Plateau

A pleasant drive to the western end of Shipley Plateau passing local apple orchards will take you to Hargraves Lookout. Here you will be met with magnificent views over the Megalong Valley. If the conditions are right you might even spot hang-gliders soaring over the valley.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Hargraves Lookout

Hargraves Lookout, Shipley Plateau

A pleasant drive to the western end of Shipley Plateau passing local apple orchards will take you to Hargraves Lookout. Here you will be met with magnificent views over the Megalong Valley. If the conditions are right you might even spot hang-gliders soaring over the valley.

Before visiting, the Blue Mountains visitor centres have more information here.

Wentworth Falls Lake

Sinclair Crescent, Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls Lake is a popular picnic spot for the locals, with barbecue facilities and children’s play areas. This lake was originally created by the damming of Jamison Creek to supply water for the steam railway, and today the lake is home to a variety of birds and wildlife. Take an easy hour-long walk around the Lake and you’ll spot sandstone sculptures bringing the lake foreshore to life.

Wentworth Falls Lake

Sinclair Crescent, Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls Lake is a popular picnic spot for the locals, with barbecue facilities and children’s play areas. This lake was originally created by the damming of Jamison Creek to supply water for the steam railway, and today the lake is home to a variety of birds and wildlife. Take an easy hour-long walk around the Lake and you’ll spot sandstone sculptures bringing the lake foreshore to life.

Empress Falls Walking Track

Empress Falls Walking Track via the Conservation Hut

You’ll love this walk if you love waterfalls. Start at the Conservation Hut and venture down into the Valley of the Waters to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Mountains - Empress Falls. On your way back up from the walk, the Conservation Hut cafe is a great spot to enjoy a well-deserved rest and refuel.

Learn more.

Empress Falls Walking Track

Empress Falls Walking Track via the Conservation Hut

You’ll love this walk if you love waterfalls. Start at the Conservation Hut and venture down into the Valley of the Waters to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Mountains - Empress Falls. On your way back up from the walk, the Conservation Hut cafe is a great spot to enjoy a well-deserved rest and refuel.

Learn more.

Echo Point

Echo Point, Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Katoomba

Head to Echo Point on a clear evening to watch the colours change on the iconic Three Sisters sandstone formation as the sun sets. Stay a little beyond sunset - during clear moonless nights you might be able to catch views of the Milky Way.

Before visiting, be sure to check the NSW National Parks website for closures and alerts here.

Echo Point

Echo Point, Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Katoomba

Head to Echo Point on a clear evening to watch the colours change on the iconic Three Sisters sandstone formation as the sun sets. Stay a little beyond sunset - during clear moonless nights you might be able to catch views of the Milky Way.

Before visiting, be sure to check the NSW National Parks website for closures and alerts here.

Lincoln’s Rock Lookout and Kings Tableland

Lincoln’s Rock Lookout, 51 Little Switzerland Drive, Wentworth Falls

With sweeping views of Jamison Valley and beyond, Lincoln’s Rock is a unique and historically important site to behold, and perfect for a picnic lunch on a fine day or to enjoy the sunset. Kings Tableland is also a place of great significance to the Aboriginal Gandangara people - keep your eyes open and you might even chance upon remnants of Aboriginal engravings and shelters in the area.

Learn more.

Lincoln’s Rock Lookout and Kings Tableland

Lincoln’s Rock Lookout, 51 Little Switzerland Drive, Wentworth Falls

With sweeping views of Jamison Valley and beyond, Lincoln’s Rock is a unique and historically important site to behold, and perfect for a picnic lunch on a fine day or to enjoy the sunset. Kings Tableland is also a place of great significance to the Aboriginal Gandangara people - keep your eyes open and you might even chance upon remnants of Aboriginal engravings and shelters in the area.

Learn more.

Get Connected

The Blue Mountains Host Club brings hosts together from the region to share their experiences and discuss topics related to tourism, travel and home sharing. The Club is an opportunity to promote the region as a tourism destination in a sustainable and responsible way.

Are you a local host on Airbnb who would like to connect with the Blue Mountains Host Club?

Are you a local business owner who would like to be featured on your Airbnb Local Guide?