The perfect two day Blue Mountains itinerary 

A weekend in the upper Blue Mountains isn't about rushing from one attraction to the next.

It's about watching the sunrise spill across the Grose Valley, browsing antique stores you hadn't planned to enter, lingering over a long lunch in Megalong Valley and ending the day with a cocktail, dinner in front of a roaring fire, or a film at a cinema that transports you straight to the 1920s.

Leura and Katoomba may get the most attention, but for those willing to venture beyond the familiar, the mountain villages of Blackheath and Mount Victoria are just full of surprises. 

Located less than two hours by car from Sydney, or with direct access to both villages via train.

The perfect two day Blue Mountains itinerary 

Friday

5 pm: Arrive in Blackheath or Mount Victoria

The first thing you'll notice is the mountain air. Cooler. Fresher. The kind that makes you instinctively take a deep breath and think “ahhh”.

Take a moment to breathe it all in before settling into your accommodation. Whether that's a heritage guesthouse in Mount Victoria, a boutique motel in Blackheath or a campsite beneath the stars, there's plenty to choose from.

7 pm: Cocktails and dinner

As twilight settles over the mountains, it's time to head into Blackheath for dinner and a drink. Choose from organic, locally made wine at Frankie & Mo's, cocktails served with a side of retro vinyl at Side B, a fine-dining meal at Ates, or simply a hearty pub dinner beside the fire at the Ivanhoe or Gardners Inn.

Saturday

6.30 am: Sunrise at Govetts Leap

When it comes to sunrise, Govetts Leap is the best Blue Mountains lookout by far. Watch the blue haze turn golden, while morning mist hangs in the valley below. Sunrise here is no secret, but follow the track below the main lookout, and you'll often find yourself watching the show with few, if any, other people around.

9 am: Take a hike

First-time visitors can't go wrong with the Grand Canyon track, perhaps the most famous of the Blue Mountains walking tracks. Winding through rainforest, beneath towering sandstone walls and past countless swimming holes calling your name, it’s easy to see why. 

Looking for something shorter? Try Braeside Walk. Ready to get the heart pumping? Head for Victoria Falls. Want something a little less expected? Head to Mount Victoria's hidden caves, where nature has created rooms grand enough to rival any cathedral. 

1.30 pm: Lunch, antiques and village wandering

After a morning on the trails, lunch is calling. Hearty sandwiches from a deli, hot pies from the bakery, or something from The Victory's menu, where you'll dine to the backdrop of an antique store packed with unclaimed treasures.

Fuelled up and caffeinated, spend the afternoon following your curiosity.  In Blackheath, galleries sit alongside boutiques and bookshops. In Mount Victoria, you’ll discover antique shops, quirky collectibles and local craftsmanship.

Separated by less than 10 minutes by car or train, why not explore both villages in a single afternoon.

7 pm: Dinner and a movie

As the temperature drops, settle in for dinner at one of Mount Victoria's historic pubs. There's the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, or Hotel Etico, Australia's first social enterprise hotel, which doubles as both a boutique getaway and a vocational training academy for young adults with disability.

Then it's time for Mount Vic Flicks.

Part cinema, part community institution, this heritage picture theatre has been here for decades. If you're lucky, your visit might coincide with one of its themed movie nights. Then, you’re truly living like a local. 

Sunday

10.30 am: Head to the Megalong Valley 

After yesterday's early start, enjoy a slower morning before taking the winding road down into Megalong Valley. On the way, stretch your legs with a short walk to Mermaid's Cave, a hidden sandstone overhang complete with a small waterfall. Or stop at Logan Brae Orchard for a bottle of local apple juice.

12:00 pm: Long lunch and cream tea

The beauty of Megalong Valley is the perspective it offers. Yesterday, you were standing on top of the escarpment. Today, you're beneath it. And there's no better place to enjoy the view than Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. Order a bottle of local wine and something from the lunch menu, or settle in with a traditional cream tea. The food is always as good as the view. 

3 pm: Relax in Blackheath’s very own bathhouse 

After two days of walking, eating and exploring, head to Aqua Ignis, Blackheath's boutique bathhouse. Move between the hot rock sauna, herbal steam room, magnesium mineral bath and cold plunge pools before emerging relaxed, refreshed and ready for the drive home.

5 pm: Return to Sydney

So there you have it, the perfect Blue Mountains weekend away. In just two days you've explored two of the Blue Mountains' most character-filled towns, discovered hidden walks and lookouts, and experienced a different side of the Blue Mountains World Heritage listed landscape.

The drive home comes with one final Blue Mountains tradition: promising yourself you'll come back soon.