The Blue Mountains region in New South Wales offers so many fantastic free things to do and see that you might just want to plan on extending your visit! While many holiday destinations are full of pricey attractions, the Blue Mountains area is a haven for those on a budget. From spectacular scenery to beautiful gardens and cliff-top views, this prime tourist attraction (located only an hour or so from Sydney) has something to keep every visitor happy. Once you’ve booked a Blue Mountains hotel as a base from which to explore the area, you can head out and visit the following six free sites.
The Three Sisters
One of the top attractions in the Blue Mountains, the Three Sisters,close to the main town of Katoomba, is an unusual rock formation that can be viewed from Echo Point. Probably the most spectacular landmark in the area and an iconic attraction that receives millions of visitors each year, the peaks stand over 914 metres above sea level.Set in the Blue Mountains National Park, the Three Sisters offers the perfect vantage point to enjoy panoramic views into the Jamison Valley and showcases a breathtaking sight beginning at 10:30p.m. when the peaks are backlit. The Katoomba Visitor Information Centre is also located nearby at Echo Point, so you can pick up information on events or other attractions in the area.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
The 28-acre Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is home to a world-class collection of plants, and it is Australia’s highest botanic garden. Open daily (except for Christmas Day), the gardens are free to enter, and there are several events and workshops on offer throughout the year for visitors. The garden, which sits 1,000 metres above sea level,is home to over 40,000 plants gathered from around the world. Visitors to the botanic garden can take advantage of self-guided tours at their own pace or else enjoy a tour from one of the garden’s Education Team.
Leura Mall
Picturesque Leura Mall offers a selection of unique, independent retail outlets including kitchen stores, fashion boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries. While shopping isn’t free, there’s certainly no cost to browse the shops and enjoy the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere of the village. Happily, the Blue Mountains City Council wants to preserve the quaintness of the area and as a result has ensured that any future developments within Leura must comply with strict guidelines and use heritage colours throughout.
Wentworth Falls Lake
A man-made lake that was created by the damming of Jamison Creek, Wentworth Falls Lake is a popular hotspot for families visiting the Blue Mountains. Children will love the makeshift pirate ship and other play equipment while older kids can enjoy skateboarding or playing soccer or footy on the large grassy forefront. Parents and couples can take advantage of the peaceful spot for a picnic, and the amenities in the area (including BBQ facilities and public restrooms) ensure that the essentials are close at hand.
Leura Cascades
Another popular picnic area, Leura Cascades is situated along Cliff Drive in Leura. The Cascades offer a variety of beautiful walks that can take you along the cliff tops to Echo Point or down through the peaceful Leura Forest to Katoomba. This public area is also either the beginning or end (depending on which direction you’re travelling) of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Nature lovers will enjoy the tranquillity of this outdoor setting and the various waterfalls including Bridal Veil Falls, Linda, Lila and Leura Falls.
Blue Mountains Chocolate Company
A chocolate-lover’s heaven, Blue Mountains Chocolate Company is open daily and offers free tastings, education on the history of chocolate, a multi-media display, an on-site cafe and regular chocolate-making demonstrations. The company’s chocolatiers are happy to demonstrate their knowledge and skill throughout the day but offer talks and active demonstrations at 11:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. daily. Apart from the lure of free samples and the opportunity to try and convince their parents to buy up big on chocolate, children will also love this shop for its cubby house, climbing net, slide and swing.
About the Author:Bec White is a travel writer and blogger who enjoys exploring Australia with her husband and kids in tow. She loves to test out the latest and greatest family-friendly attractions around the country and excels at finding the best budget activities for her family to try.