You might be familiar with the shades of green and blue of our Mountains... but have you experienced the gold, red and copper tones of our heritage gardens and wild places?Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah  

Image: David Hill, Deep Hill MediaGrowing up, Stefanie Habal never felt she belonged.Too dark skinned to be accepted into European society and two fair skinned to fit in with Indigenous communities, “I always struggled to feel connected to a Country, to the place I was living”.

Located upstairs above the Old City Bank Bar the Old City Bank Brasserie serves modern Australian food with an Asian twist, thanks to the creative influences of its head chef. Think great pub food with a selection of vegetarian options.Images: David Hill, Deep Hill MediaHow did a bureaucrat with a business degree from the Philippines find his way to Katoomba?

A visit to the Blue Mountains earns a tick on any bucket list but these bucket list activities will push the experience to the top!Storytelling with the stars with Blue Mountains Stargazing, an outdoor hot bath under the stars at Kyah Hotel or a dark history tour with Blue Mountains Mystery Tours will make your visit stand out.

When the sun sets on the Blue Mountains escarpment, our towns and villages light up with live music vibes, late night bevs in intimate bars and ambles through the bush along artfully lit tracks.Image David Hill, Deep Hill MediaRefined, yet quirky, the Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern is where you can sink into leather chesterfields or a plush velvet chair when 'the doctor’s in session' and explore vintage books and curios while sipping on a craft spirit or cocktail as a local muso plays.

For early travellers, the only place to stop for a drink was along the old highway, where rough drops were served at colonial inns. Now we’ve carved out a different route, featuring everything from roasteries to wineries. Find cider from a century-old orchard, beers brewed down canyons and spirits infused with local botanicals for a true taste of the Mountains.Wend your way up the Great Western Highway to Valley Heights and Lawson and pause to slake your thirst or restock your cellar at Katoomba. From Blackheath, drive into the Megalong Valley to visit the wineries. Make your way up to Mount Victoria and cut across the Darling Causeway to Bells Line of Road, enjoy spectacular views as you head to Bilpin, Grose Valley and then back to Sydney.