Blue Mountains: open for business

15th February 2021 | Eativity editors

The latest “Open for Business” video has been released, this week showcasing the Blue Mountains in NSW. The video series is a collaboration between the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and Tourism Australia, and illustrates the recovery of communities impacted by the 2019/20 summer bushfires. A total of 15 videos will be released over the coming weeks, sharing stories from bushfire affected regions across Australia.

Visitors will be captivated by the one million hectares of tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons and waterfalls that make up the magnificent Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, just a 90-minute drive west from the city of Sydney. While large areas of the Blue Mountains were affected by the 2019/20 summer bushfire, popular tourist towns including Katoomba and Leura were left untouched. Visitors can support this region by planning a day trip from Sydney or delving deeper with a longer stay.

Enjoy an opulent dinner at Darley’s.

Places to eat and drink in the Blue Mountains

Katoomba’s food scene has evolved to celebrate both local produce and its multicultural influences. You can feast on street food from around the world at 8Things, or reserve a table at Darley’s Restaurant, Lilianfels Resort and Spa‘s signature fine dining restaurant, renowned for its beautiful heritage-listed house and innovative cuisine.

Delicious food with a view in a million at The Lookout.

Make sure to stop by the Blue Mountains Chocolate Company, where you can make your very own hot chocolate creation. Delight in Katoomba’s nightlife at Bootlegger Bar, or for a drink with a view, enjoy an al fresco table at The Lookout near Echo Point.

Cheese please? Leura Garage’s eggplant pizza.

Outside of Katoomba is the garden village of Leura, where you can stock up on delicious homemade chocolates at Josophan’s, and make sure not to miss a visit to The Candy Store. For a Mediterranean-inspired menu, take your appetite to Leura Garage, which is housed in a converted mechanic’s workshop.

And even more cheese! This Little Piggy sells artisan cheeses from local and international producers.

Or, stop in at Biplin, a small town famous for its apples. Pick your own fruit straight from the tree at one of the many family owned and run orchards, including Bilpin Springs Orchard, or sip the sweet ciders at Hillbilly Cider.

For those stocking up on picnic supplies, goats cheese with truffle honey, fresh sourdough bread, homemade jams and relishes can all be found at This Little Piggy Deli in Blackheath.

The Three Sisters: one of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic landmarks.

Getting there and where to stay

The Blue Mountains are located a leisurely 90-minute drive or two-hour train ride from Sydney. There is an abundance of different accommodation options to suit any style of travel within the Blue Mountain region.

If you’re after luxury, nestled among the stunning scenery of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa is Australia’s first luxury wildlife and conservation-based resort. Here guests can get hands-on with sustainability efforts. Monitor wildlife, help plant trees or participate in its research project WomSAT. While the property has always had a major environmental focus, there has been an increase in conservation work following the bushfires last year.

You can view all the Open for Business videos as they’re released here.