Best High Tea in the Blue Mountains: Tea, Cakes and Views
The Blue Mountains in New South Wales are known for stunning views and lush forests, so it’s no surprise this is one of the best places for high tea in Australia. After a day of hiking, a Blue Mountains high tea is the perfect way to rest and restore. These generally luxurious affairs give you the chance to savour scones, sandwiches, pastries and a variety of teas, all with breathtaking scenery as the backdrop. If you’re after the best high tea in the Blue Mountains for your next visit, read on, we’ve put them all to the test.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional English settings or prefer a modern twist, the high tea options in the Blue Mountains won’t disappoint.
To create this guide, we consumed plenty of calories and hiked many miles to work them all off again. We hope it helps you choose the best high tea experience for your visit.
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What makes the Blue Mountains such a special place for high tea?
Afternoon tea in the Blue Mountains became popular in the late 19th century when the railway line was extended to the area, making it more accessible to tourists and visitors from Sydney.
The tradition of afternoon tea was already well-established in England at the time, and it quickly caught on as a way for visitors to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
High Tea is more than just a meal; it’s a tradition that allows you to indulge in a variety of teas paired with a delightful assortment of pastries, sandwiches, and sweets while basking in the stunning mountain scenery.
What makes an afternoon tea in the mountains a special experience is:
- Scenic Beauty: The Blue Mountains offer an incredible backdrop for enjoying your afternoon tea. The landscape’s scale and beauty enhance the experience, making it a truly memorable occasion.
- Delicious Treats: High tea is a culinary delight. Traditional scones, finger sandwiches, and an array of intricate pastries and cakes are served to complement your chosen tea.
- Relaxing Atmosphere: High tea is a leisurely affair, allowing you to unwind and relax. The serene environment of Blue Mountains coupled with the comforting warmth of a teacup makes for an incredibly soothing experience.
Why not spend the morning checking out some secret spots on a tour with Wombat? It’s the perfect way to build up your appetite!
Is it High Tea or Afternoon tea?
These days, the terms high tea and afternoon tea are often used interchangeably, but they were actually two different things.
- Afternoon tea is a light meal that is typically served between 3 pm and 5 pm. It consists of tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries. It was originally created in the 19th century by the Duchess of Bedford, who found herself hungry in the afternoon and started having tea and snacks to tide her over until dinner.
Afternoon tea became a social event for the upper class in England, and it was served on low tables with comfortable chairs or sofas.
- High tea, on the other hand, is traditionally a more substantial meal that is served later in the day, usually between 5 pm and 7 pm. High tea originated among the working class in England, who would have it after finishing their day’s work. It is served on a high table with regular dining chairs.
Both options are available in the Blue Mountains and the high tea prices vary depending on the location and the type of experience you choose. On average, prices range from $35 to $85 per person.
Many of the high tea experiences in the mountains offer a tiered system of pricing, with basic packages starting at a lower price point and more elaborate packages at a higher price point.
Some high tea experiences may also offer additional add-ons, such as champagne or cocktails, which can increase the overall price.
Beautiful High Tea experiences in the Blue Mountains
There are so many options for tea here, from the classic English style afternoon tea at The Wintergarden to the unique experience at Bygone Beauty’s Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms. If you prefer a more modern twist, the Avalon’s gin high tea or the Fairmont’s sparkling and champagne options are well worth a look.
Hydro Majestic Hotel High Tea in the Wintergarden
The Hydro Majestic Hotel in Medlow Bath is one of the most popular locations in the Blue Mountains for high tea. If you want to experience stunning views while sipping on your tea, this is the place!
The real showstopper right now, until the end of August, is their whimsical May Gibbs High Tea. Inspired by Australia’s most beloved children’s storyteller, this experience incorporates native bush flavours and nostalgic treats that tie perfectly into the mountain landscape.
Alternatively the Eastern High Tea selection, takes you on a journey through the Orient. With Steamed Eastern Dumplings, the rich flavours of Crab Claw, and the refreshing Prawn and Vegetarian Rice Paper Roll. Relish the fusion of East and West with a Soft Taco stuffed with succulent Pork Belly and a tantalising array of both Eastern and Western Desserts.
To complete your high tea experience, choose your preferred brew from a selection of tea or coffee.
Gluten-free high tea and a kids’ high tea service are also available, along with two Louis Roederer Champagne high tea menus.
The hotel’s stunning views of the Megalong Valley make it a great location for a special occasion.
When: 11am – 3pm daily
Where: Wintergarden at Hydro Majestic Hotel 52-88 Great Western Highway Medlow Bath
Cost: From $65 for high tea, $75 for Eastern High Tea, Champagne Tea from $148
May Gibbs High Tea: runs 11am – 3.30pm daily until 31 August 2026 Cost: from $80pp
Bygone Beauty’s Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearoom Leura
If you are looking for a unique tea experience in the Blue Mountains, it’s hard to beat the afternoon tea offered at Bygone Beauty’s Teapot Museum and Tearooms.
The tearooms are decorated with antiques and vintage items curated by Maurice Cooper OAM, better known as the Teapot Man, and include a collection of over 5,500 teapots from around the world, giving the whole place a quaint, old-world charm. The decor is inspired by the Victorian era, with antique furnishings, floral wallpaper and delicate china teapots. Once you’ve finished your tea, take some time to browse the museum’s extensive teapot collection.
For a fun experience, try the Traditional High Tea, which we sampled on a recent visit. As the strains of “Land of Hope and Glory” play, you’ll be served by a waiter in top hat and tails, delivered silver-service style on a triple-tier cake stand with fine bone china and cotton serviettes. It’s an experience that feels like a step back into a more leisurely era.
Enjoy finely rolled crustless sandwiches, an assortment of homemade tea cakes and biscuits, and baby scones with freshly whipped cream and strawberry jam, accompanied by your choice of house tea or coffee. Traditional High Tea requires a minimum of two people, and bookings are essential, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.
For something extra, the Traditional High Tea Supreme adds complimentary bubbly on arrival (a non-alcoholic option is available too) along with mini quiches, sausage rolls and vegetarian roulades.
Tip: not in the mood for a full high tea? A Devonshire tea, two scones with whipped cream, strawberry jam and your choice of tea or coffee, is also available, with sharing options for two.
When: Last sitting for high tea is 4pm, with a maximum of 1.5 hours at the table.
Where: Cnr Grose & Megalong Streets Leura
Cost: Traditional High Tea $65pp (children under 12 $37.50, under 5 $27.50). Supreme High Tea $79.50pp (children under 12 $45, under 5 $35). BYO champagne with $4.40pp corkage. Gluten-free surcharge $7.70pp (Traditional) or $11pp (Supreme); lactose-free is no longer available. Devonshire tea from $21.50 (sharing options available for two).
Fairmont Resort Leura High Tea
The luxurious Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains in Leura sits on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, offering you some of the most spectacular views as you enjoy your tea.
The afternoon tea experience here offers understated elegance and a warm ambience. On our visit, the traditional finger sandwiches and scones were both delicious, classic high tea done well, and the price makes it one of the better value options in the Blue Mountains.
Scones come with fresh cream and conserve, and tea is from La Maison Du Thé, served as loose leaf in varieties including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, chai, green, camomile, peppermint and lemon and ginger. If you’d rather a glass of something sparkling, the sparkling and champagne high tea options include De Bortoli Legacy Brut and Taittinger Cuvée Prestige respectively.
Fairmont High Tea options:
- Traditional High Tea – $49pp
- Sparkling High Tea – $55pp
- Champagne High Tea – $65pp
- Kids High Tea – $25pp
The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and natural bushland, giving you plenty to explore once you’ve finished your tea.
When: Weekends only (Saturday & Sunday), two seatings at 12pm and 1pm. 48-hour booking notice recommended.
Where: 1 Sublime Point Road Leura
Where to find Devonshire tea in the Blue Mountains
If a full high tea feels like more than you’re after, a Devonshire tea is the simpler option. It’s just scones, served warm with jam and cream, alongside a pot of tea, and it’s a Blue Mountains tradition in its own right.
Bygone Beauty’s Treasured Teapot Museum and Tearooms offers a straightforward Devonshire tea if you’d rather skip the full tiered stand.
In Wentworth Falls, Fed Blue Mountains serves scones with cream and jam as part of its all-day menu, making it an easy stop if you’re exploring that end of the mountains. Wayzgoose Diner in Leura is another good option for Devonshire tea, handy if you’re already in town for the shops and galleries.
Things you need to know about tea in the Blue Mountains
Do I need to make a reservation for the Blue Mountains High Tea? High tea in the mountains is a popular activity, particularly on weekends, so we recommend you book directly with the venue at least a few days in advance.
Is there a dress code for the Blue Mountains High Tea? Not really. The Blue Mountains attracts plenty of active travellers, so dressing up isn’t as essential here as it might be in Sydney. Smart casual is a safe choice at any of the hotels, and we doubt you’d be turned away in clean, comfortable clothing anywhere on this list.
What is the ambiance like at the Blue Mountains High Tea? Each venue offers a slightly different ambience from quirky to romantic. Hydro Majestic’s grand winter garden is quite breathtaking, but the warm and quirky experience at Bygone Beauty’s is just as special.
Is the Blue Mountains High Tea family-friendly? Absolutely, in fact, some places have children’s menus. We might not take small kids to Bygone Beauty’s, there are teapots and treasured items all around the rooms, and the temptation to touch (or break) something may prove too great!
What is the views like at Blue Mountains High Tea locations? The Fairmont and Hydro Majestic offer valley views that are nothing short of breathtaking.
Where to find the best scones in the Blue Mountains? Scones are at the heart of every Blue Mountains high tea, but a few spots stand out for getting them right. The Avalon’s lemonade scones, served warm with homemade jam and cream, are a highlight of their high tea stand in Katoomba. Bygone Beauty’s also does a strong traditional scone, finished with whipped cream and strawberry jam, and served as part of their full high tea or on their own as a simpler Devonshire tea. Fed Blue Mountains in Wentworth Falls is a good option if you just want scones without committing to a full sit-down tea, theirs come with cream and strawberry jam as part of an all-day menu.
Find more fun things to do in the Blue Mountains for your next visit
- 33 Blue Mountains Lookouts
- 12 Short Blue Mountains walks
- 50 Things to do in the Blue Mountains
- Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains
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