Blog
Stories, walks, lookouts and seasonal guides from Leura and the wider Blue Mountains.
-
Wollemi National Park: Escape to a World Heritage Wilderness
Just a few hours from Sydney lies a place that feels a million miles away. As part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Wollemi is a true gem, offering vast, unspoiled wilderness that will capture your heart and awaken your spirit of adventure and exploration. In fact it is the biggest forest wilderness…
-
Beyond the Bowl: Hakatamon a Sydney Institution (and a bit of Ramen History)
TLDR; if you go to their stores in Sydney CBD or Chatswood, do yourself a favor, get Tonkotsu with burnt/black garlic (signature) or spicy signature. Ramen has few ingredients, tonkotsu (broth soup), chashu (braised pork), bamboo shallots, seasoned boiled egg… but the overall effect is just awesome! Sydney’s culinary scene is a vibrant tapestry, and…
-
Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains: Complete Hiking Guide (Parking, Tips & Where to Stay)
Quick Stats Distance 6.3 km loop Time 3–6 hours Grade Grade 3 – Moderate (steep descent/ascent) Dogs ❌ Not permitted Cost Free Start Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath NSW 2785 The Grand Canyon Track in Blackheath is one of the finest walks in the Blue Mountains — and I’d argue, in all of Australia. Not because…
-
Autumn in Leura, Blue Mountains: Fall Colours Guide (Best Spots, Timing & Where to Stay)
Quick Season Summary Peak colour Mid-April to late May Best spots Leura Mall, Everglades, Campbell Rhododendron Gardens Temperature 5–15°C days, colder nights — pack layers Drive from Sydney ~1.5 hours Entry costs Everglades $15 adult / most others free When people think Blue Mountains in autumn, they think Katoomba. But locals know better — Leura…
-
When Darkness Falls: A Different Kind of Magic at Scenic World
Scenic World in Katoomba is a Blue Mountains icon, a must-do for anyone wanting to soak in the breathtaking vistas of towering sandstone cliffs, lush rainforest valleys, and cascading waterfalls. We have visited Scenic World a couple of times during the day, each experience leaving me awestruck. But recently, I had the chance to experience…
-
Christmas in July (or Yulefest if you prefer)
A Blue Mountains Winter Wonderland What is Yulefest — Yule is a winter festival of Germanic origins. Recently it’s a more common name for ‘Christmas in July’ here in Australia. The idea is simple: chill out with family or friends in cool winter weather, in a cozy setting and replicate some of the Christmas festive…
Magnolia Short Stay 