Plan the Perfect Romantic Getaway in The Blue Mountains

A romantic getaway in the Blue Mountains is an excellent way to recharge the batteries and spend some quality time with your loved one. This world heritage wilderness wonderland is the perfect place for romantic walks and enjoying the spectacular views, so find yourself a lovely place to stay and head west for a romantic weekend.

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Plan your romantic getaway in five easy steps!

While there is never a bad time to visit the Blue Mountains, each season offers something unique and seasonally, the experience can be very different.

Step 1: Decide on the Best Time of Year for Your Getaway

Autumn – the colours of the changing leaves in the Blue Mountains villages, particularly the private gardens in Mount Wilson, is impossibly beautiful. I also find early autumn perfect bushwalking weather.

Winter – The entire region is ready to party when the Winter Magic Festival and Yulefest hit full swing in July. Sure it’s cold, and you may occasionally even get to see a little snow, but it’s hard to beat sitting by a big open fireplace and sipping a glass of red.

Spring – One of the busiest times in the mountains, particularly in the village of Leura, home to the annual Leura Gardens Festival, which takes place in early October. Regardless of the official festivities, the plants still do their thing, spring is a lovely time to visit.

Summer – With temperatures an average of 7 degrees lower than in Sydney, the mountains make the perfect escape from the summer heat. The days are cool enough to walk, and the evenings can actually require a jumper and a glass of red to warm you up.

Weekend or Weekday Escape?

If you can get away mid-week, not only will you likely score the best value on your accommodation, you will also find fewer people on the trails and may often pass only a couple of others on your walks.

The downside of this is that dining options can be limited early in the week, and some galleries and other indoor pursuits are not open Monday and Tuesday, so check this out before you book if this is important to you.

We like to head up on Thursday and stay two or three nights, heading home on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. This way, you beat the Sunday afternoon traffic, which can be pretty horrendous and not the best way to end a relaxing break.

Would rather someone else do all the planning?

AmazingCo has a fun Blue Mountains Mystery Weekend package where they arrange a picnic lunch, clues and games to find your picnic goodies and even your overnight accommodation.
This is such a great way for both of you to enjoy the surprises together and a fabulous choice for a fun romantic, stress-free weekend!

Step 2: Build Your Itinerary

Think about the activities you will both enjoy. The Blue Mountains are perfect for a weekend of doing not much more than taking in the views from easily accessed lookouts or hiking some of the challenging trails or best walks for those not as experienced.

• Celebrating something special? Book a luxury Blue Mountains Picnic or a fun mystery picnic where you solve clues to reach your picnic spot.
• Is your partner more an adventure seeker than a relax and take in the view type?
• Would they rather fossick antique stores than hike a challenging trail?
• Are they a keen photographer? We have detailed over 30 lookouts to help you find the best spots.
• Would you like some adventure, but you want someone else to be in charge? There are some great adventure experiences in the mountains.
• Conquer your fears together on a beginners abseil
• Take a day trip to the impressive wineries in the Megalong Valley just 30 minutes from Katoomba.
• Make the most of being there overnight and book a Skygazing experience or a glow-worm tour.

We have come up with over 50 things to do in the mountains, so this is likely to be the easiest part of the planning.

If it’s your first visit to the mountains or you have arrived by train, consider jumping on the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus.

Step 3: Consider the Area and Type of Place You Want to Stay

The Blue Mountains can offer everything from romantic hotels offering 5-star luxury or historic hotels with panoramic views. There are free camping spots in perfect wilderness settings and private bush cabins in total seclusion. You can stay in a romantic cave, a treehouse, a resort, a winery, or a tiny house.

You can be in the centre of one of the mountains’ pretty villages with the main street full of cafes and shops to fossick in or deep in the wilderness without another soul in sight.

There are many properties on the edge of Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, and Blackheath with bush views as far as the eye can see but a suburban street just minutes away.

• Do you want to stay within walking distance of one of the mountain villages so you can stumble home from dinner with a full belly?
• Or is your perfect location one of total seclusion and privacy?

Both of these are possible, and an option can be found for most budgets. So choose a style or two from this shortlist, save your favourites, and move on to the next step.

• a boutique hotel in a perfect location on the edge of the national park
• a luxury resort with plenty of activities
• a bed and breakfast where you will be well looked after
• a self-contained cottage with everything you need for a great stay
• a farm stay in the heart of the Blue Mountains

Step 4: Choose where to stay for your romantic getaway

For a special occasion weekend like perhaps if you are planning to pop the question, or a honeymoon retreat there are some amazingly romantic, once-in-a-lifetime type properties in the mountains.

Places like that Love Cave above may provide an unforgettable getaway, but it’s tough to find availability, and it may stretch the budget. Consider some of these equally special options.

Hydro Majestic – An Art Deco Beauty mid mountain

If you prefer someone to cook and make the bed, it’s hard to beat the stylish rooms at the Art déco beauty the Hydro Majestic.

One of the most romantic hotels in the mountains with plenty to do on-site, allowing you have a perfect time without going anywhere else.

Fairmont Resort – A hotel with great facilities

The Fairmont Resort is well located just a few minutes drive from the centre of Leura. You will find some of the mountains most beautiful walks right on your doorstep and no less than five dining options on site.

They have excellent facilities including an ice skating rink, heated pool and fabulous whiskey bar.

Kyah Boutique Hotel – a brand new property

The newly remodelled Kyah is a boutique hotel set on two acres of beautifully landscaped gardens in a quiet backstreet in the Blue Mountains’ bohemian Blackheath.

KYAH features Blaq a restaurant and bar with a fabulous Japanese cherry blossom tree (rumour has it, it’s the oldest one in the Southern Hemisphere) in the garden. Blaq showcases the finest produce local to the region.

Each newly renovated room is fitted with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an electric kettle and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. The minibar includes locally produced snacks and drinks. For your enjoyment, there is free WiFi, a woodfire hot tub, sauna and a 24 hour tea station. Read our review of a recent stay at Kyah for more details.

The charming Illalangi Cottage in Blackheath

A little further up the mountains, this gorgeous simple cottage that we stayed in last year is really charming.

Built in 1890, it’s walking distance from the stunning lookouts at Pulpit’s Rock and Govetts Leap. You can read our full review here.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat may be the ultimate romantic getaway. It offers several types of rooms, including a luxury bush suite, a tent suite, and two story chiefs suite. This is a high-end luxury and perfect for a honeymoon!

Step 5: Book a Couple of Great Eats

With limited seating in the mountains, it really is a good idea to book any special weekend dining. Do this a week or two out for the best choice.

• We recommend breakfast or dinner at the Bunker in Leura
• Be sure to drop into the Hydro Majestic for a drink in Salon du The Bar & Lounge or even high tea in the main dining room with its stunning picture windows.
• Cocktails at The Bootlegger Bar or a gin tasting at the Avalon in Katoomba
• Beers at Mountain Culture Beer Co.
• Dinner at The Bowery in Katoomba

How to Get to the Blue Mountains

You can reach the Blue Mountains from Sydney in under two hours. This is a perfect getaway for those without a car, as public transport is straightforward and there is also plenty when you arrive.

By car: Once you get on the M4 motorway in Sydney the trip to Katoomba, the major centre of the Blue Mountains takes about 90 minutes. If you are coming from the west, the Bell’s Line of Road is a pleasant route to consider.

By train: It’s a 2-hour trip from Central Station in Sydney to Katoomba in Blue Mountains Line. You can find our advice here on taking the train from Sydney.

More Getaway Ideas to Consider

• Spend an action-packed weekend in Newcastle
• Find the best things to do in Forster
• Take a Central Coast Getaway
• Spend Two Days in Blackheath
• Choose one of these Three Great Sydney Weekend Escapes

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
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