Things to do in Blue Mountains

Theatre & Shows

Eyes Like Diamonds Documentary Screening - Blue Mountains

Sun, 25 Oct, 2:15 pm AEDT

Katoomba · From $12.5

What does it mean to keep going when no-one believes in you? Eyes Like Diamonds follows passionate conservationist Neil Waters on his relentless mission to prove the Tasmanian Tiger still exists. Once celebrated, now ridiculed, Neil's decade-long search through the Tasmanian wilderness becomes as much a story of redemption and belief as it is about science and survival. Through Neil's journey, the film explores the importance of conservation, the ethics of extinction, the limits of evidence, and the enduring human need to find purpose in something greater than humankind. Thylacine researcher Neil Waters, filmmaker Jonathon Buckland and Cinematographer Gourav Gandhi will attend a Q&A after the event to talk about all things Thylacines and filmmaking. Come along and support indie Australian films!

Theatre & Shows

Dinosaur Valley

Mon, 26 Oct, 12:00 am AEDT

Katoomba · Free admission

Australia's biggest dinosaur experience is back at Scenic World, bigger and more exciting than ever before. Whether you're discovering Dinosaur Valley for the first time or returning for another prehistoric adventure, this brand-new season promises roarsome encounters. Step into a world lost in time and come face-to-face with more than 60 life-sized dinosaurs, from the mighty T Rex and towering Brachiosaurus to the armoured Stegosaurus, soaring Pterodactyls and the formidable Cryolophosaurus. As you journey through the rainforest, use your Dinosaur Valley Passport to uncover which species ruled different continents millions of years ago. Learn more about these prehistoric creatures with exclusive audio recordings and videos created by dinosaur superfan Andy Day, meet Dinosaur Rangers and get up close to this season's adorable dinosaur hatchlings! Beyond the dinosaurs, your Scenic World ticket unlocks a full day of adventure and epic views. Ride the world-famous Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, soar high above the rainforest canopy on the Scenic Skyway, and glide past dramatic sandstone cliffs on the Scenic Cableway. Best of all, you can explore at your own pace, with unlimited rides and all-day entry included in your ticket. Kids under three go free!

Markets & Expos

Blue Mountains Atticurio Bizarre Market

Sat, 31 Oct, 10:00 am AEDT

Katoomba · Free admission

Atticurio Market is coming to the Blue Mountains, Katoomba get ready for something different and delightfully bizarre! The vibe: Quirky, Odd, Eclectic Spooky, Mystical, Artistic & Wildly Creative! Indoor all weather event, Parking available at venue, Lucky door prizes, workshops, Psychic & Tarot Readers. Get ready for a collection of quirky & creative traders in these genres - Curiosities & Oddities - taxidermy, preserved specimens, framed butterflies, bugs & creatures, domes & displays Jewellery & Accessories - crystals, gemstones, alternative, crowns, flowers, mermaid jewellery, talisman, handmade, quirky & wild creations! Eco-art & natural curiosities and remedies. Ritual teas & tinctures! Art & Creativity - glowing art & light creations, fantasy art, wild art, creepy art, prints, posters, stickers. Air plants & succulents in terrariums & skull pots. Mystical & witchy creations, spells & potions, spiritual tools, tarot cards & books! Wild creatives - stained glass, resin decor, amazing upcycled toys, robots & musical instruments, crochet-oddities, plush weird toys, handmade eccentric wares! Handmade candles, soaps, sprays & perfumes, macabre decor. Animals, skulls, bones, tribal, reptile-inspired curios, wings and feathers. Fairy art, fantasy writers with books & merch. Fashion & Design - boho, printed artwork on clothing. scary dolls & creepy creations for your nightmare inspiration! Collectors & Vintage - vintage oddities Experiences & Interactive - UV products & glowing creations! This is where the Magic Happens!

Classes & Workshops

Blue Mountains Bushwalking Retreat

Mon, 2 Nov, 12:00 am AEDT

Wentworth Falls · From $549

The Bushwalking Retreat is a two-night nature immersion combining guided hikes, gentle yoga, and nourishing food in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Designed for fit and healthy walkers, this retreat follows sections of the Grand Cliff Top Walk from Katoomba to Leura, with breathtaking views, waterfalls, and fern-filled valleys along the way. You'll enjoy daily stretching, wholesome vegetarian meals, cosy shared accommodation, and time to connect with like-minded people — all based at Happy Buddha's peaceful retreat centre in Wentworth Falls. Perfect for those ready to step beyond routine, reconnect with nature, and return home feeling grounded, energised, and renewed.

Image: BMCC

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Animal Dreams: Bria McCarthy

Katoomba

Pondering the question 'what do animals dream of?' multi-disciplinary performer and artist, Bria McCarthy explores the uncharted realms of sleep, multispecies imagination, and neurodivergence. Audiences entering Animal Dreams will be immersed in an imagined theatre backstage, where experimental shadow puppetry, sculpture and installation come to life. Animal Dreams is a compelling, sensorially considerate exhibition that recognises the importance of cross-species connection through imaginative empathy, and playful approaches to the unknown… with puppets! A Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Altitude exhibition

Image: BMCC

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

Katoomba

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is a must-see while you are in the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains City Art Gallery is one of Australia's leading regional art galleries and features an exhibition program that showcases local and national artists as well as national touring exhibitions and in-house curated exhibitions. Each exhibition is paired with public programs aimed at educating and connecting the audience with artists. The Cultural Centre also boasts a Shop that stocks an extensive range of local and Australian-made products and visitor information services. Browse the unique and creative gifts, homewares, stationery, books and children's toys, which are carefully selected to complement gallery exhibitions and the Blue Mountains region. The Gallery Café is the place to meet with friends or family as you take in a light lunch after browsing the art and World Heritage Interpretive Exhibition.

Image: JANE CANFIELD

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Hill Painting Prize

Katoomba

The inaugural Hill Painting Prize is a celebration of the natural landscapes, urban spaces and manmade environments of the Blue Mountains, captured through the medium of painting. The exhibition is a collection of 66 unique paintings that connect audiences to the iconic views, romanticised scenes and realistic depictions unique to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This new painting prize is benefactor David R Hill's tribute to the medium and process of painting.

Entertainment Venues

Baroque Room

Katoomba

The Baroque Room is an ornate, multifunction live performance and music venue that wows on entry. The renovated space, featuring long marble bar, a stage and a timber dancefloor, is fully equipped for sound and audio-visual productions. Suitable for private functions such as small meetings, conferences with a difference, celebrations including weddings, film screenings, live theatre, and performances including comedy, burlesque, dance, music, and cabaret. The Baroque Room is an 18+ venue.

Image: Bryan Cutts

Entertainment Venues

Murder Mystery Parties and Events Katoomba

Katoomba

Are you ready for a killer event in the Blue Mountains? Hosted Murder Mysteries are fancy-dress parties on steroids! The Murder Master is the host who will turn your corporate function or private party at the Palais Royale Hotel in Katoomba into an utterly unique and memorable event. You and your fellow suspects will be embroiled in a dastardly murder. Everyone will fight to establish their alibis and prove innocence while solving the crime and discovering 'whodunnit'. There will be plenty of finger-pointing, backstabbing, blackmail and unbridled skulduggery will ensue. The Palais is a gorgeous boutique hotel, with the atmosphere of a bygone era of decadence and splendour. Trade insults and accuse your friends, family or colleagues of heinous murder in the Grand Ballroom. As you and your guests plot and scheme, you will enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch or dinner. Perfect for 40-100 suspects. This Blue Mountains Hotel is evocative of the character and charm of a bygone era of intrigue and mystery when distant and pleasingly wealthy relatives kick-the-bucket leaving ancestral fortunes to unsuspecting (and surprised) cousins 32.5 times removed. The Palais is located in Katoomba, nestled in the Blue Mountains, about five minutes drive from Three Sisters and Leura, or 40 minutes from Lithgow. Get a group of friends together and invite the Murder Master for some homicidal hilarity and high-jinx whodunnit!

Spas and Retreats

Spa Sublime Day Spa

Katoomba

Established in 2005, the multi-award-winning Spa Sublime is the Blue Mountains' premier day spa experience. Nestled in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, our beautifully appointed couples' rooms are the perfect way to spend some quality time with a group of friends or someone extra special. Spa Sublime has four twin rooms offering a variety of spa experiences for up to eight guests at one time, including couples drenching showers and a twin hydrotherapy spa. Using only the highest quality 100 per cent Australian-made products, Spa Sublime will provide you with an experience of indulgence and luxury that you will never forget.

Image: Apsara Day Spa Katoomba

Spas and Retreats

Apsara Day Spa Katoomba

Katoomba

Apsara is a Boutique Spa where you can expect an unhurried, tailor-made spa treatment designed to your needs. Offering dual/couples massages or one-on-one spa treatments. Apsara Day Spa consists of one spa cottage and one accommodation cottage. Services range from aroma therapy, hot stone, pregnancy, scalp, and back neck shoulder massages, as well as wellness packages to advanced facials including microderm and dermafrac, skin serum infusion and skin needling treatments. Apsara also offers Eyelash/brow Tints, brow shaping and facial wax treatments. Sometimes it is necessary to take time out for your own well-being and feel special and refreshed. This is a personal service, and therefore, treatments are one-on-one or dual only. Unwind, take time out, and indulge in a treatment that will leave you feeling revitalised and renewed. Apsara Day Spa Katoomba is conveniently situated close to the Aquatic and Sports Centre, beautiful scenery, and Scenic World. The custom-built Spa Cottage is surrounded by a tranquil private garden. Renew and revive in the Spa Cottages for relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind, body and spirit. Apsara Day Spa Katoomba is open from Thursday to Monday by appointment only. Please book directly through their website. Gift vouchers are also directly available through their website, or alternatively, in-house gift vouchers are available directly at their spa.

Natural Attractions

Leura Cascades picnic area

Leura

You’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the world as you gaze across Jamieson Valley from Leura Cascades picnic area. A reviving break while on a driving holiday or cycling trip, it’s also a great base for exploring the dramatic cliffs in the southern section of Blue Mountains National Park. With a picture perfect backdrop, why not make the most of the opportunity and assemble the family for a group photo? Tuck into a leisurely lunch as you memorise the magnificent views. Lie back in the shade and be serenaded by the gentle tinkering of the nearby waterfalls and local birdlife. You might hear the distinct call of the bell miner or the mimicking song of the lyrebird here. The nearby Fern Bower circuit walk is a heart-pumper, or if you’re after a leisurely stroll, follow the track downstream to the top of Bridal Veil Falls or take the Prince Henry Cliff Walk east towards Gordon Falls Lookout.

Image: NPWS

Natural Attractions

Leura Cascades

Leura

Leura Cascades is a popular picnic area set amidst tall eucalypts. Nearby you can take a walk beside the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls. Be prepared and plan your walks as several walks can be accessed from here and can either take you along the cliff tops to Echo Point or down through the Leura Forest and via the Federal or Dardanelles Passes to Katoomba. Leura Cascades is the start, or end, of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The picnic area is approximately 2.2 kilometres from Leura Railway Station.

Image: Photo: Steve Alton

Natural Attractions

Leura Cascades Fern Bower

Katoomba

Leura Cascades Fern Bower circuit is a moderately challenging track along an impressive cliff line, with waterfalls and gorgeous scenic views. A great walk for those who love to get amongst it, you’ll venture deep into the lush vegetation of Jamison Valley in Blue Mountains National Park. With so many lookouts and vistas, it’s a photographer’s paradise. From Leura Cascades picnic area, this medium track leads to a magnificent lookout over the top of Bridal Veil Falls before winding down to the base pools, where you’ll be refreshed with cool, moist air. Here the track joins the Amphitheatre track, which follows the mid point of the cliff back to Fern Bower track. Following down into the dense rainforest where light filters through the dense canopy, listen for the call of the catbird or wompa pigeon. The Amphitheatre track then joins Fern Bower track, which takes walkers back up to the Prince Henry Cliff walk near Cliff Drive, a short way from the picnic area. Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.

Image: Photo: Steve Alton

Natural Attractions

Federal Pass

Leura

If you like your scenic views from the ground up, you’ll love this magnificent walk through Jamison Valley. Originally built by the Katoomba community, from Leura Forest to Katoomba Falls, the track was extended on the old horse-drawn coal tramway line and now goes all the way to Ruined Castle, on the other side of Jamison Valley. This historic walking track follows the base of the cliffs from Leura to Ruined Castle, passing forests, waterfalls and the iconic Three Sisters. You can join Federal Pass at four places and each junction involves a challenging climb down and back up the valley. Descending any of the stairways to join the historic track, marvel at the scenic views of the dramatic cliff line. You’ll pass through dense forests and cool clear waterfalls, so pick your spot for a picnic. Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch. If you’re after a real heart-pumping finish, take the stairs back to the top, or enjoy an exhilarating train ride to the top at Scenic World.

Spas and Retreats

Lilianfels Day Spa

Katoomba

Surrounded by spectacular national parks in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, a visit to Lilianfels Day Spa is like returning home. Enliven your senses with soothing and restorative body and beauty treatments delivered by a team of caring and talented spa professionals. Enter a space where you are supported to discover your natural state of balance. Groups are welcome and Lilianfels Spa will be pleased to customise a program to suit all occasions.