8 Reasons to visit Leura NSW

Leura often referred to as “Jewel in the Mountains Crown” is a picturesque & popular Blue Mountains town. Home to the Leura Garden Festival and Village fair every year, It is now as famous as neighbouring iconic tourist town Katoomba.

The town is renowned for its magnificent displays of Springtime colours and crisp mountain air. Located about 100 kilometres west of Sydney, It is just under two hours by train from Central Station and about 90 mins by car.

Leura has a way of charming locals and visitors with glorious cool climate Spring gardens, boutique shopping and rugged clifftop walks. The beautiful town has a lot to offer and here are a few of our favourite things to do in Leura.

Leura Highlights

Everglades Historic House and Gardens
Leura Garden Festival
Leura Mall
Weekend Markets
Bygone Beautys Teapot Museum and Tearooms
Sorensen’s Glasshouse and Gardens
Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum
Sublime Point lookout

Everglades Historic House and Gardens

Set against a backdrop of postcard-perfect views across the valley and drawing inspiration from European landscape design and blending it with the unique Blue Mountains bushland is a charming European-styled terraced garden.

Constructed in the 1930s by Danish-born landscape gardener Paul Sorensen, This place will captivate you with its grace and beauty. It is one of Australia’s foremost heritage and inter-war period garden and has received worldwide acclaim.

Take a stroll along the winding paths to admire nature’s artwork and colours. You will also enjoy the breathtaking vistas through to Mt Solitary and Jamison Valley.

When you think you have seen all the beauty this place has to offer, in the middle of it all lies a stunning Art Deco home, which also houses a delightful tea room overlooking a calm reflecting pool. It is a beautiful spot to wander or to enjoy a Devonshire tea. 

You can even bring a picnic and spread out a mat in one of the many spots. The garden is home to a gift shop and art gallery too. Everglades is the perfect venue for garden tours, wedding ceremonies and photo shoots. It is open from Thursday to Monday between 10 AM and 4 PM and closed on Christmas and Boxing Days.

Leura Garden Festival

One of the highlights of the year during first weekend of October is the annual Leura Garden Festival. Each year, a selection of Leura’s private gardens including Everglades are opened up to general public for a week, culminating in a fair on the last day. The festival celebrates cool climate gardens and gardening. All proceeds raised will benefit the Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital and the Blue Mountains health-related organisations.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the daily Music in the Garden performances, the associated art show and the excellent bargains from the plant sales centre of the festival.

Note: The Leura Garden Festival does not take place on a regular basis, but only during the first week of October each year.

Leura Mall

Lined with colourful cherry blossoms and shops on either side is Leura Mall, The Main Street of the town. Grab a coffee from one of the many Café’ s and restaurants dotted along the mall and meander this quaint and highly popular street. Explore everything from handmade chocolates at Josophan’s to books, furniture, accessories, designer clothing and homewares.

There are many temptations even on side streets of Leura, whether you are looking for gifts for yourself or your loved ones, or in need of a little pampering yourself, Leura Mall is the place to be. We usually part away with at least one small purchase to support small business owners.

Best time to visit is during Spring when the street bursts with the colour of cherry blossoms, perfect for sitting beneath one and scoffing a snack. It is also conveniently located at about a minute’s walk from the Leura rail station.

Weekend Markets

The CWA Hall facing north to Megalong Street plays host to the weekend Leura markets. Enjoy the small-town shopping experience finding new and pre-loved books, art pieces or hand-made home decors such as cushions and knitted throws. You will also find some hard to resist items like a colourful scarf, shirt or even an intriguing hat.

This market is a must for all things organic from honey and gluten to egg and dairy-free bread. The focus of this market is to bring genuine growers and producers to the lower Blue Mountains community. Open on first Friday & Saturday and third Friday, Saturday & Sunday of every month between 9 AM and 4.30 PM. Please check their social media for any updates or cancellations.

Bygone Beautys Teapot Museum and Tearooms

Housing one of the world’s largest private collection of tea wares is Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum and Tearooms. There are more than 5,500 teapots on display, spanning five centuries featuring teapots from all over the world. The collection includes a variety of teapots, from old to new and elegant to unusual.

Devonshire Tea is the house speciality but, if you are feeling particularly fancy then indulge in a Traditional High Tea event. Delivered silver service style by your waiter dressed to the nines complete with top hat and tails with a triple-tier cake stand and fine bone china.

Note: Bookings are essential for Traditional High Tea.

A short walk from Leura Mall, the museum and Tearooms is an experience worth making time for. Entry fee is $5.50 per person, redeemable with an equivalent purchase in the tearooms or retail area.

Sorensen’s Glasshouse and Gardens

Away from the action of Leura Mall on a quiet suburban street is a beautiful place to sit and unwind. Sorensen’s Glasshouse and Gardens is a unique cafe and nursery surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Soak in the vibe of a large light-filled glasshouse with a hot coffee and warm ricotta hotcakes. The Café’s on-site nursery sells a range of stunning plants, succulents and flowers of all varieties to inspire the gardener in you.

There is more to this café than just a good ambience. Book a grazing pack and enjoy your picnic on the grounds of the property by packing your own rug or hire one. The hamper is full of gourmet bites which change with the seasons. Make sure to book in advance, as these packs are often sold out.

It is a perfect spot for families, couples or anyone just looking to get their dose of garden inspiration and fresh mountain air.

Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum

If you are travelling with kids, this place is a must-visit. Leuralla is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest collection of 20th-century train sets, toys and other collectables ranging from Popeye, Barbie to Tintin and Harry Potter figurines.

All housed in a two-storey mansion laid out at the turn of the century amidst acres of stunning gardens. It is also home to open-air interactive miniature trains exhibits. A place where the adults may well have more fun than the children. Leuralla is open from 10 AM to 5PM daily except Christmas Day.

Directly opposite Leuralla, there is a path that leads down to Elysian Rock Lookout which is a beautiful lookout spot. It features a handy bench to sit on while you enjoy the panoramic view of Jamison Valley.

Sublime Point lookout

With sensational & infinite scenic views at Sublime Point lookout, you will feel like you are on the edge of the world. It offers a spectacular 180-degree view of the Jamison Valley below, Kings Tablelands to the east, Mount Solitary in the middle and to the far west in the distance. You can appreciate a different perspective of the Three Sisters.

Located at the end of Sublime Point Road, it is a popular spot for picnicking and birdwatching with families. From the car park, there is an easy 100m track descending to a picnic area. The stairs to the left take you down to a bridge over a dramatic ravine before arriving at the lookout platform.

While the Sublime Point Lookout doesn’t attract the crowds of many other Blue Mountains lookouts, it still has much to offer.