You don’t need to drive to Katoomba, not if you don’t mind a bit of walking. In fact, the train will drop you are the top of town and the train from Sydney is only slightly slower than the winding drive. The other good thing about the train is the nap views you will enjoy on the way.
- Cassiopeia
First things first. Get in early and start with a really good coffee. Cassiopeia on Lurline Street is a about a ten minute downhill walk from the train station and you can take in the entire main street as you go. This coffee is exceptionally good high quality, single origin, fair trade coffee because… it’s all they do. No meals, just coffee. And if it’s all you do, you do it well. It’s where the locals hang out too, and that is always the sign of a great joint.
- Echo Point, Prince Henry Cliff Walk & Scenic World.
Continue down Lurline Street another kilometre and you are at Echo Point where you can, not only take in the magnificent Three Sisters, but also the horrible nomenclature that is “Bar NSW”, a clifftop bar that has live music over the weekends should you fancy something more than natural harmony. If you like a challenge can start your hike with the Giant Stairway down the to The Three Sisters, but if one hike is quite enough for you, take the leisurely ramp down to the Prince Henry Cliff walk. It is about an hours walk along the cliff tops of the Blue Mountains with as many lookouts as you choose to stop at and several waterfalls as well, including the beautiful Katoomba Falls. At the end of this walk is Scenic World, an often crowded venue that is more gift store than anything, but it is the home of the world’s steepest railway which is worth a ride and the cable car, which will save you the walk back to Echo Point, as well as giving you a death defying view of the valley. From the cable car station it is a short walk to your next stop – food.
- Lilienfels
A trip to Katoomba deserves a meal as grand as the views and thus high tea at Lilienfels is your obvious choice. It is important to book this in advance as this one of the most popular tourist venues in Katoomba. Prices range between $49- $69 per person depending on your level of fancy and you will be served, from the comfort of your plush armchair overlooking the Jamison Valley, a three tiered plate of fluffy scones with clotted cream, a variety of sandwiches and pastries and tea or coffee. This would also be the perfect time to slot in a quick treatment at the Lilienfels spa – their Volcanic Stone ritual is two hours of blissful massage topped off with hot chocolate.
- The Hattery
You will need to walk off your meal at this point and a leisurely stroll back into town, this time via Katoomba Street, will bring you to the bustling little town centre. There are many lovely things to do here – the cultural centre often has an exhibition and there are a dozen antiques and vintage stores worth a browse, but it really would be remiss of you to skip The Hattery. It is an actually hattery with everything from top hats to berets and you will find a piece of headwear in here that you didn’t know you needed and hereafter cannot live without. Just next door is The Hattery Café, in case you are ready for your afternoon coffee. The owner is the type of generous individual who will not only allow you to sit for hours writing travel pieces, but brings you fresh water to make sure you don’t dehydrate whilst typing.
- The Carrington Cellars and Deli
All that is left to do is sample the wares at the beautiful establishment at the top of the hill – The Carrington Cellars and Deli. Set inside a restored power station you can spend hours here either browsing the imported deli items and cheeses, or in Champagne Charlies for a late afternoon exotic fruity drink.
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Oh look at the time! It’s time to get the train back to Sydney, or the Central Coast, or the South Coast or wherever you have escaped briefly from, with your satiated belly, your hike weary muscles and your new hat. The perfect day in the mountains.
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