The Blue Mountains is one-of-a-kind. Where else can you find that iconic blue haze that lingers early morning and returns in the late afternoon? The phenomenon is actually caused by its eucalypts. Tiny droplets of oil released from the trees mix with water vapour and sunlight to create the haze. It’s dreamy. From waterfalls to valleys, rugged sandstone tablelands, and vast green pastures, the World Heritage Blue Mountains are best taken in up close and over a few days.
It’s only a two-hour drive from Sydney’s CBD, making it the ideal weekend getaway. Finding a place to stay is also pretty breezy, with everything from five-star bush retreats to caves, wellness retreats and even treehouses on offer.
Consider these unique and unmatched properties as your home base for your next Blue Mountains adventure. These are the best accommodation finds in the Blue Mountains.
Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley
Tucked into a remote valley, Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley is one of the best resorts in Australia. Set on 7,000 acres of protected wilderness and surrounded by two national parks, the resort offers guests a quintessential outback life experience with the lashings of a chic homestead and pool. When you can peel yourself away from the comfort of country living at its best, venture outside with a guide to explore the Blue Mountains. You can saddle up and ride through the region, jump into a 4WD, and let a local guide show you around, or strap on your hiking boots and hit the trails. We recommend the 4WD tour for a picnic at one of the best vantage points in the Blue Mountains. Only guests can access it. During your stay, dinners are served in the Wolgan Dining Room, which looks over the valley. The menu is modern Australian, with ingredients sourced from local regions, including Orange, Mudgee, and Hunter Valley.
Love Cabins
The Love Cabins, as the name suggests, are ideal for couples looking to escape with a unique twist. Located in Wollemi, where the famous glow worm caves can be found, you can stay in a treehouse high or settle into a cave and get primal. Each cabin is unique, with its own character and suite of luxury touches, including a spa, queen-size bed, fireplace, and self-contained kitchen. The enchanted cave is for the romantics who want to hide away, whereas the treehouse is perfect for taking in those sunsets and blue hazy mornings high in the canopy. There’s also a teepee, dream cabin, and homestead for family stays.
Hydro Majestic
No best accommodation in the Blue Mountains list is complete without the Hydro Majestic. This establishment was one of the first luxury resorts to open in the Blue Mountains. Built-in 1904 as a hydrotherapy spa, the Hydro Majestic was reborn into housing séances conducted by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Did we mention Australia’s first prime minister died here? Not that you should dwell on that, because today’s Hydro Majestic combines art deco glamour with English grandeur and is the ultimate hotel to base yourself at when exploring the Blue Mountains. Enjoy expansive views over the Medlow Valley and a short drive to charming towns with boutique shops and cafés.
Kyah Hotel
Kyah is the new kid on the mountain. What was once a 1970s motel is now an architecturally designed boutique hotel set on two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The refreshed interiors are modern and trendy, with a touch of elegance. The rooms are suited to solo travellers, couples, and even families, with two-bedroom and family suites available. The restaurant, Blaq, is classy and known for its Australian fare celebrating regional tastes. You can forage for mushrooms, roast marshmallows around the firepit, or explore the local Blackheath area. There are plenty of great hiking trails and little villages where you will find pastries and other baked goods.
Bubble Tent Australia
While this isn’t technically the Blue Mountains, it’s still worth mentioning. Bubble Tent sits atop a valley between Lithgow and Mudgee. A series of bubble tents are perfectly positioned to face the Capertee Valley, the world’s second-largest canyon. The bubble tents themselves are a fun way of exploring the region. Each tent has plush bedding, a queen-sized bed, a telescope for stargazing, and a private bathroom. There’s also a Swedish wood-fired tub that overlooks the valley is a great spot to take in the sunset. If you love stargazing, then this one is for you. The light pollution is near zero here, and each tent is clear so that you can gaze at the blanket of stars from the comfort of your bed.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat
In need of some much-needed pampering? Book a room at Spicers Sangoma Retreat. Here, the focus is on wellness, with a spa dedicated to restorative massages and healing rituals harnessing the ingredients of the Australian bushland. Apart from the spa, the rooms are plush with natural wood, open-plan living, and incredible views. Sunsets are a highlight here and are best taken in by the pool, preferably with a glass of wine in hand.
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