Destination guide

Got the blues? A mountain of fun provides the cure

Featuring an array of outdoor activities and charming towns, the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia offer something for everyone. The dramatic scenery in this rugged region includes steep cliffs, waterfalls and dense forests. As if that wasn't enough natural beauty, the mountains got their name from the blue haze created when sunlight hits the eucalyptus trees. For a dose of culture, escape to the mountain villages filled with galleries and gardens. Your Blue Mountains vacation rental also puts you just 90 minutes from the bright lights and bustling streets of Sydney.

Things to do

Gorges, gardens and glass-bottom gondolas

All aboard! Soak up the breathtaking mountain views with a ride on a passenger railway or a glass-floored cable car that sails high above a gorge. For a less nerve wracking foray into nature, set out for a leisurely stroll through the lush grounds of the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in the village of Mount Tomah. If you have culture vultures staying in your Blue Mountains vacation rental, make sure you pay a visit to the Waradah Aboriginal Centre in Katoomba, which features dance performances and artwork by Aboriginal artists from across Australia.

Activities

Walk the line – hike your way to adventure

Get ready to get moving! Hikers hit the jackpot in the Blue Mountains, where trails range from easy loop trails, to challenging three-day tours. One of the most popular trails in the mountains gives you an up-close view of the region's iconic Three Sisters sandstone rock formation. The mountains are also a popular spot for rock climbing and rappelling. If you're in search of something more relaxing, head to the village of Leura, known for its art galleries and shops, before retreating to your Blue Mountains vacation rental for a good night's sleep.

Weather

Climate change: mountain conditions from top to bottom

The weather in the Blue Mountains varies based on elevation, with the lower villages experiencing overall warmer conditions. Katoomba, the mountain range's largest town, sits at 1,010 metres and offers very mild summers, with daytime highs averaging around 22 degrees. During winter, the highs rarely top 10 degrees and evening lows can drop into the negative range. Snow is rare although the mountains usually get a dusting of powder about two to three times a year. The Blue Mountains can get pretty damp at higher elevations, garnering about 105 centimetres of rainfall each year.

Natural highlights

Barking up the right tree – exploring dense mountain forests

The lush landscape of the Blue Mountains includes everything from babbling creeks and rushing waterfalls, to sprawling valleys and jagged sandstone plateaus. Trees play a major role in the region as well. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the famed Corridor of Oaks, an area featuring trees planted by Australian Prime Ministers, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, home to the area's iconic Wollemi pines. You'll even find natural wonders below the surface of the Blue Mountains. Take a tour of the Jenolan Caves and you'll see a dizzying array of dramatic stalactites and underground rivers.

Where to stay near Blue Mountains?

Our 2019 accommodation listings offer a large selection of 766 holiday rentals near Blue Mountains. From 457 Houses to 190 Cottages, find unique holiday homes for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends. The best place to stay near Blue Mountains is on HomeAway.

What are the most popular destinations to visit in Blue Mountains?

There are many lovely places to stay for a long holiday or just a weekend break in Blue Mountains. From HomeAway travellers, the popular destinations to visit are:

  • Leura: 561 holiday rentals
  • Mount Victoria: 549 holiday rentals
  • Mudgee: 116 holiday rentals
  • South Coast: 4,982 holiday rentals
  • Moss Vale: 348 holiday rentals

HomeAway offers you the possibility to discover many other popular destinations in Blue Mountains! Please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available in other popular destinations.

What are the main cities to discover in Blue Mountains?

Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, here are the cities in Blue Mountains with the largest selection of holiday rentals for a perfect city break:

  • Leura: 561 holiday homes
  • Mount Victoria: 549 holiday homes
  • Mudgee: 116 holiday homes
  • Moss Vale: 348 holiday homes
  • Cornwallis: 52 holiday homes

For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday homes available.

Can I find easy access holiday homes when travelling by plane to Blue Mountains?

Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of holiday homes near to airports. Airports with a large selection of rentals in Blue Mountains are:

  • Mudgee Airport (DGE): 130 holiday houses
  • Wollongong Airport (WOL): 864 holiday houses
  • Orange Airport (OAG): 146 holiday houses

For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available.

Near which points of interest can I spend my holidays in Blue Mountains?

HomeAway offers a large selection of holiday homes near great places to visit in Blue Mountains. From HomeAway travellers, the more popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

  • Wollongong South Beach: 413 holiday rentals
  • Sydney Campbelltown Station: 253 holiday rentals
  • Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah: 646 holiday rentals
  • Leura Cascades: 619 holiday rentals
  • Wollongong City Gallery: 416 holiday rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Blue Mountains listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection of holiday homes.

Explore destinations around Blue Mountains

Leura
561 holiday rentals
Mount Victoria
549 holiday rentals
Mudgee
116 holiday rentals
Moss Vale
348 holiday rentals
Cornwallis
52 holiday rentals
Bowral
268 holiday rentals
Katoomba
564 holiday rentals
Orange
140 holiday rentals
Wollongong
163 holiday rentals
Blackheath
585 holiday rentals
Bathurst
52 holiday rentals
Thirroul
153 holiday rentals
Berrima
261 holiday rentals
Shellharbour
262 holiday rentals
Wentworth Falls
557 holiday rentals
Austinmer
150 holiday rentals
Oberon
29 holiday rentals
Bulli
152 holiday rentals
Lithgow
44 holiday rentals
Bilpin
69 holiday rentals