A Creative Day in the Blue Mountains: Galleries, Shops & Cafes
The Blue Mountains has a thriving and vibrant arts scene just waiting to be explored. Between cafes and hikes in this slice of alpine heaven places like Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath have a wealth of shops, galleries and exhibits that show off its bohemian roots as a creative’s paradise. If you’re after a slow travel day in the Blue Mountains, activities for the kids or simply a weekend skewed more too fuel the heart of an artist, then here is our definitive guide to your creative day in the Blue Mountains.
Our favourite art galleries
The Mountains has an abundance of art galleries, from the kid friendly Blue Mountains Cultural Centre to a tour of Australian icon Norman Lindsay’s home to the truly gorgeous Lost Bear Gallery, there is a little something for all artistic tastes.
Tip: check on the gallery website as most have special exhibits and workshops available!
Katoomba
Blackheath
Springwood
Lithgow
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Our favourite gardens
Nothing inspires quite like the beauty of your natural surrounds. Take a journal, a packed lunch and a friend to sit, write, dawdle, eat and enjoy some of the more beautiful gardens open to the public.
Blackheath
Leura
Our favourite festivals & markets
The Blue Mountains plays host to plenty of fun festivals and markets that aren’t just to be enjoyed by the locals, all are well worth the short drive from Sydney and are a must add to your weekend itinerary. Check out the yearly, monthly or weekly list below for great days out with the kids, kicking back with friends or strolling hand in hand on your romantic weekend away.
Creativity can be found in comedy, food, and music, of which there is plenty of almost any given weekend in the Blue Mountains, lucky you!
Festivals
Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival (February): Three days of music, laughter, and community abound with this iconic festival. Often held across multiple venues in The Blue Mountains expect dinners, shows, workshops, learning and a whole lot of fun.
Blue Mountains Music Festival (March): A three day celebration of folk, roots, blues and more in the heart of Katoomba.
Lithgow Comedy Festival (March): Some seriously great comedic talent descend onto Lithgow for three days every March.
Yulefest (June–August): Every winter, Yulefest is celebrated in the Blue Mountains with many venues offering traditional Christmas style celebrations. The Local Compass recommends reviewing The Blue Mountains Council website as well as well as popular venues to see what they have on offer for winter.
Markets
Blackheath Growers Market (2nd Sunday of each month except January): The Blackheath Growers Market hosts over 60 local and regional growers selling a wide range of fruits and vegetables, meats, breads and cheeses, olive oils and local wines, nuts and honey, free range eggs, spices and condiments, baked goods and so much more.
Where: Blackheath Community Centre
Entry: Free
Magpie Up Style Market (3rd Sunday of each month except January): This aptly named market is for the lover of shiny things and second-hand goodies, with stalls selling pretty much everything from jewellery, artisan crafts, collectibles, second hand books and of course food, in case you get hungry.
Where: Lawson Public School
Entry: Free
Springwood Growers Market (4th Sunday of each month except December and January): Sustainable food and regional produce is the name of the game for this ultimate foodie market, serving up gourmet bites and top-tier products from 50 local growers and regional farmers. If you’re after in season fruit and veg, condiments to impress and local wine, then this is the place for you.
Where: Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood
Entry: Free
Leura First Sunday Market (1st Sunday of each month except January): Held at the iconic Fairmont Resort in Leura, this truly beautiful (and large) market is a can’t miss, and somewhere you could easily spend the day walking through the 70+ stalls selling everything and anything. Have a wander, then grab some food to take the the covered gazebo where you can watch some live music.
Where: Fairmont Resort, Leura
Entry: Free
Seasonal events
The Blue Mountains offers plenty of seasonal and one-off workshops, events, productions and exhibits for you to enjoy! If you have a weekend in mind and you are someone who loves to immerse yourself in arts and culture, check out the below pages to see what‘s on offer for the time you will be visiting, so you don’t miss out!
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Programs: Regular art workshops for all ages are available.
Everglades House & Gardens Events: Hosting exhibitions, theatre productions, art installations and musical events, Everglades always has something on for you to enjoy. Peruse and book through the National Trust website (linked).
Blue Mountains City Council: For even more inspiration head over to the Blue Mountains City Council website that has a list of events and things on in the area whether it be for a family, a group of friends or a fun date night.
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Our favourite shops
Bookshops
Calling all bibliophiles, is there anything better than wrapping yourself up in your cosiest scarf, grabbing a coffee and taking yourself to a bookshop to browse? No, no there is not! And luckily The Blue Mountains has PLENTY of places for you to spend a morning with some of your favourite characters.
Leura
Katoomba
Springwood
Blackheath
Vintage and Antique shopping
For all those who love to explore aisles of vintage goodies to warmly re-home, then we have you covered. The Blue Mountains has everything from incredible vintage clothes (where you are sure to find something truly special) to antique pieces to kit out your home.
Katoomba
Blackheath
Leura
Read more: The best Air BnB’s in the Blue Mountains you’ve never heard of
Food & Drink
And finally, a day ingesting the beauty of art wouldn’t be complete without something delicious to fill the belly. While you’ve nourished your soul, now nourish your body!
Katoomba
The Gallery Cafe (inside the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre!)
Medlow Bath
Read more: A Food Lover’s Weekend in Katoomba: Cafés, Bakeries & Long Lunches
There is so much to love about the Blue Mountains - so get planning, today!
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