Things to do in Katoomba
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Solitary
The magnificent views to Mt Solitary are the main event here, but the seasonally driven and totally delicious food lives up to this elegant restaurant's setting atop the Leura Cascades. Also serves Devonshire teas ($10).
reviewed
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Niagara
High ceilings with ornate cornices, oversized tiles underfoot and large wooden booths embellish this gay-/family-/vegetarian-friendly diner. The food is fab too: gourmet burgers, pastas and salads with a twist during the day, scrumptious steaks and fish at night. Monthly dinner-and-show Cabaret Nights are sequin-soaked spectaculars.
reviewed
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Savoy
The Savoy has booths (we love booths), perfect for day-time pastas, burgers, focaccias and salads. At night the lights lower and the menu lifts – progressive dishes such as pan-seared barramundi with lime and chilli, and kangaroo sirloin with roast zucchini, garlic and red wine jus bring smiles to faces.
reviewed
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Gallery Restaurant
This French-focused restaurant forms part of the Fine Art Gallery housed within a grand old Katoomba residence. Wander through the gallery between courses and admire (or buy, depending on how much wine you’ve consumed) the paintings, sculptures and glassware on display.
reviewed
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HQ Tours
HQ Tours runs backpacker-friendly Blue Mountains tours, also departing Sydney. Its Eco-scenic day trip includes three hours of guided bushwalking around the main mountains sights. Overnight tours visit the Jenolan Caves and include dorm accommodation at Katoomba YHA.
reviewed
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Paragon Café
The heritage-listed 1916 Paragon is Katoomba’s undisputed art-deco masterpiece. Sampling coffee and handmade chocolates in the salubrious surrounds is a compulsory Blue Mountains experience (Bob Dylan and Ginger Rogers both seemed to enjoy themselves).
reviewed
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F
Edge Cinema
A giant screen shows mainstream flicks plus a 40-minute Blue Mountains documentary (adult/child $15/10). Budget Tuesdays feature flicks for $8.50 per person.
reviewed
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Tread Lightly Eco Tours
Has a wide range of day and night walks ($65 to $135) that emphasise the ecology of the region.
reviewed
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IsoBar Café
Despite the hackneyed IsoBar name, this café hums with chilled vibes, ambient tunes and moody lighting - as funky as Katoomba gets. Tasty staples include Turkish toasties, burgers, stir-fries and salads.
reviewed
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Hotel Gearin
This art deco watering hole is one of the liveliest in town, with trivia nights, live music, pool comps and Sunday afternoon jazz. It’s owned by actor Jack Thompson – reason enough for a beer and a $5 steak.
reviewed
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Parakeet Café
This colourful cafe dishes up hearty staples along with the odd surprise such as the tempura hoki with chips. There are a couple of couches, a courtyard out back and wireless internet access.
reviewed
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Cafe Zuppa
This friendly mountain cafe brews excellent coffees and hot chocolates. The belly-warming burgers and sandwiches are foolproof, but the more experimental dishes are sometimes hit-and-miss.
reviewed
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Oztrails
Departing Sydney, the reader-recommended Oztrails wheels small groups around the Blue Mountains sights, finishing with a ferry ride back to Circular Quay on the Parramatta River.
reviewed
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Blue Mountains Explorer Bus
Fantastic Aussie Tours runs the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, a hop-on hop-off service on an hourly Katoomba/Leura loop, stopping at 30 attractions. Tickets last all day.
reviewed
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Winter Magic Festival
Festivities reach a pagan peak at Katoomba's Winter Magic Festival, with a street parade, market stalls and general frivolity to welcome the winter solstice.
reviewed
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Clarendon Band Room
Everything from Australian folk and pop to jazz and rock is performed on the Clarendon stage. Dinner-and-dance shows are usually double the ticket price.
reviewed
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Australian School of Mountaineering
Rock climbing from $175, abseiling from $145 and canyoning from $175.
reviewed
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River Deep Mountain High
River Deep Mountain High rents out all-terrain mountain bikes and runs mountain-biking tours (half/full day from $110/180).
reviewed
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Explore The Blue Mountains
Half-day abseiling, canyoning and two-hour horse-riding trips, which include a 'Stockman Experience' (billy tea, damper and whip cracking).
reviewed
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Yulefest
Every year between June and August, chilly Blue Mountains towns cheer themselves up with Yulefest, an out-of-kilter Christmas celebration.
reviewed
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High 'n' Wild Mountain Adventures
Half-/full-day abseiling (from $99/145) and climbing ($159/179), and full-day canyoning ($179).
reviewed
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TrisElies
Jazz, reggae, DJs and ska in a blood-red-painted bunker at the top of the town.
reviewed
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Blue Mountains Adventure Company
Abseiling from $110, abseiling and bushwalking combo from $180, canyoning from $165, bushwalking from $100 and rock climbing from $180.
reviewed
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Cool Safaris
Cool Safaris 4WD tours with a native wildlife and Aboriginal art focus.
reviewed
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Fantastic Aussie tours
Coach tours to the Jenolan Caves; price includes entrance to caves.
reviewed
