Leura is located in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia and framed upon a background of stunning natural wonders, sandstone landscapes, dense eucalypt forests and rugged terrain. Yet, Leura is an easy two-hour car or train journey from Sydney.
Upon arriving in Leura, you’ll disembark into clean Blue Mountains air. The mind stills and the pulse slows. Walk at a leisurely pace, window shopping, making a purchase here and there. Sip morning tea, share a ‘flower pot’ scone with jam and cream. Sit happily idle on a corner bench labelled “Seat for Bored Husbands”.
Leura moves noticeably into four distinct seasons unlike much of New South Wales. A chill in the autumn air rejuvenates us, and a blaze of colour can be seen on every street. Wrapped warmly for the predictable wintry cold, we take part in Yuletide celebrations and feasts in July. Spring arrives in September and The Mall is in full bloom for the October Leura Village Fair, when the street becomes a vendor’s paradise and Leura’s gardens are opened to the public. Leura’s summer offers a temperate respite from the sweltering heat enveloping most of Australia. Sweet scents of gardenias and roses waft by. Whatever the season, we return again and again to Leura, the perfect combination of the natural ancient world and the modern visitors’ pleasure.
At the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, Leura offers magnificent views out to Mt Solitary and the surrounding World Heritage Site, a conservation area of international significance and home to indigenous communities for thousands of years. Bushwalking tracks wait to be explored, or plan a daylong eco-tour or abseiling adventure. And Leura is home to the only climbing wall in the Blue Mountains, preparing climbers for the great outdoor adventure. For visitors who want their feet planted firmly on terra firma, a game of golf on Sublime Point or a stroll in the Everglade Gardens fit the bill.
The remainder of Leura caters to visitors with stylish upmarket resorts and secluded charming bed and breakfast accommodation. Locally owned shops, books and boutiques, galleries and gourmet foods run the gamut, some secreted down arcades or up a flight of steps. All are easily accessible from Leura’s legendary main street, The Mall, or the bordering Megalong Street.
Restaurants abound, from gourmet delis and family-style cafes to upscale establishments and trendy contemporary spots. Leura is, for those of us who love to eat, a consumption mecca in the Blue Mountains.
How about a day of indulgence? Leura’s resorts and spas offer some of the finest pampering available. If you are planning to propose, or you want to plan a wedding and honeymoon, romantic settings flourish in Leura.
Our online guide introduces the Leura that stands in marked contrast to the daily modern world. Yet, its conveniences and pleasures are not too far behind. It mirrors the guidebook section of the Leura Blue Mountains Walking Tour & Guidebook and gives you all the info you need to plan your vacation here and feel welcome and at ease. You can order the Leura Guidebook and Walking Tour online. In addition to the complete guidebook of Leura, the book includes specially mapped out walking tours and the history of Leura and the Blue Mountains area.
Echo Point
No visit to the Blue Mountains is complete without visiting Echo Point in Katoomba. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and marvel at the majesty of nature. Iconic views of the Three Sisters, across the Jamison Valley and towards the Ruined Castle will inspire you. Several well-signposted bushwalks begin at Echo Point, including the Three Sisters Walk and Giant Stairway/Federal Pass Walk to Scenic World.
Visitors returning to Echo Point after several years will be impressed with the transformation of the area, following its multi-million dollar upgrade. The result is a more beautiful area in sympathy with the natural environment, with increased viewing platforms and easier access for transport drop off and wheelchair users.
Staff at the Echo Point Visitor Information Centre can provide maps and information on local attractions as well as a free accommodation booking service. A wide range of Australian made souvenirs are available.