Subject: Blue Mountains 'LONG WEEKEND EXPERIENCES' - 1st October 2026

SPRING into the Blue Mountains on this LONG WEEKEND


Spring has arrived in the Blue Mountains, bringing brighter days, fresh blooms and a renewed sense of adventure across the region. This weekend is a busy one.


It is a wonderful time to get outdoors for a spectacular bushwalk, take in the views from a sweeping lookout, enjoy a long lunch in the sunshine, or settle in for a relaxed weekend escape. From colourful gardens and cool-climate nature to great food, local events and memorable places to stay, spring is the perfect season to experience the very best of the Mountains.


Ask Roz Blue Mountains is here to help you discover the region’s best places to stay, eat, explore and experience this spring. Use GYRO or VISITOR to find great places to see and do.

SORRY, Mount Wilson, Mount Hay Road and Narrow Neck (cars) are closed. 
HARTLEY is open: Hartley Valley trip

eMAILS: We now send 3 main eMails a week. 'BEST EATS' every Monday, 'WHAT'S ON' every Wednesday, and 'WEEKEND EXPERIENCES' every Friday (this email).

>> Click here to READ this and other eMails online

HEADS UP: Double demerits apply from midnight tonight to midnight 5th October.

Blue Mountains Japanese Sakura Festival in Lawson this Saturday. This should be amazing. It will be run by Small Japan in Australia (Ayaka Thompson) and All Events Markets and Festivals. Free entry


Date: 3rd of October (Saturday)

Time: 11:30AM - 6:30PM

Place: Lawson Public School

Spring in the Blue Mountains is about to put on one of its most colourful shows, with the Leura Gardens Festival returning over the October long weekend from Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October.


This year’s festival includes 10 private gardens across Leura, Wentworth Falls and Katoomba, with four gardens opening to visitors for the very first time. It’s a lovely opportunity to wander behind the gates of some of the Mountains’ most beautiful private properties, while enjoying the spring colour that fills local streets, parks and gardens.

MORE information

OPENED: Leura Cascades’ upgraded walking track has reopened, including works to reinstate lighting to a section of walking track and Chelmsford Bridge, almost 100 years after becoming the first illuminated site in the Blue Mountains.

Leura Cascades became the first illuminated scenic site in the Blue Mountains in 1932, allowing visitors to walk as far as Bridal Veil Falls at night.

This now means you can again walk down to Chelmsford Bridge, even at night. 

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SPRING EXHIBITION: Spring has arrived at Rex-Livingston in Katoomba with ceramics by Rebecca Verpoorten-Laws & paintings by Kjell Daniel Everingham Check the details for exhibition dates and opening reception. MORE information


18 September to 11 October '26

IMAGE: Rebecca Verpoorten-Laws, Pomegranate Bowl, terracotta, sgraffito, slip, oxide,earthenware glaze, 63 x 52 x 21cm,

Rex-Livingston Art + Objects

182-184 Katoomba St Katoomba NSW 2780

www.rex-livingston.com

www.facebook.com/RexLivingstonArtObjects

Thur - Sun 11am – 5pm.

Movie Night on the Greens

Saturday 3 October 2026


Greens open 6:30 pm | Movie starts 7 pm

Panthers Glenbrook

FREE entry: There will also be $5 pizza slices, plus popcorn, ice cream and grazing plates available to purchase on the night. Booking here

Pomona is a solo art exhibition by local Blue Mountains artist Ros Craig.


As a lifelong gardener, plants, flowers, foliage and intriguing vessels naturally form much of what inspires her work.


In Greek mythology, Pomona is the goddess of fruitful abundance, guarding and nurturing gardens and orchard fruit. Significantly for Ros, Pomona was the name of her first home after she married - a rich and diverse fruit-growing settlement on the banks of the Darling River in far western NSW. This exhibition is an expression of the abundance of her life, then and since.

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS

37 Everglades Avenue, Leura

Playing this week at The Edge! - NEW BIG SCREEN moments to be discovered with our latest releases this week. Book now at www.unitedcinemas.com.au 

THE WIZARDS EXPRESS IS BACK at the Zig Zag Railway, and this year, the magic is bigger than ever on Saturday, 3 October 2026.


On Saturday 3 October, Zig Zag Railway transforms into a world of magic, mystery and adventure for one epic day.


Board the Wizards Express, be sorted into one of five Academy Houses and step into a full day of magical classes including Potions, Pyromantics, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Ancient Runes, Trackology and Zuggle Studies.


Saturday 3 October 2026

Zig Zag Railway, Clarence

Precinct open from 9am


BOOKINGS and MORE information here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/4133095163661672

HEADS UP: It’s rhodo time!


The rhodos and azaleas in our gardens are about to explode with colour at Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Blackheath.


Come and visit the gardens during 'Welcome Weeks' - 3 October to 8 Nov, when the Tea Room is open for Aussie Cream Teas.


Tea Room open Thursdays to Sundays 10 am to 3.30 pm, from 3 October (also open on Monday 5 October) MORE info: https://www.facebook.com/rhodogarden.org.au


Gardens open 9am - 6pm

$5 entry, kids and dogs free

Bacchante St Blackheath

Here: w3w.co/nozzle.entity.sock

School holiday hours Monday 28th September through to Sunday 11th October. Hope to see you in the Little Hartley shop we are open 7 days again this holidays. 


Zig Zag Railway hours are minimum hours depending on the rail timetable. Book a trip on this iconic railway it is so much fun. Especially excited for their Wizards Express train on Saturday 3rd October. See the Zig Zag website for more information. 


Bathurst - we are excited to have been invited back to the award winning Reckless BX during race week 7th to 9th October. Lots of family activities happening in the late afternoon and, of course, great food and drinks

The Old City Bank Bar & Brasserie


Casual dining with pub-style classics every day of the week. Bar & Beer Garden open for lunch from noon. Brasserie open for dinner from 6:00pm - Dinner bookings recommended. Live music Friday & Saturday nights. https://thecarrington.com.au/dine-drink/old-city-bank/

DID YOU KNOW, The Wayzgoose Diner was voted the 'Best Cafe' in Leura in 2026? There burgers are amazing.

The Metropole Tasting Room

Thursday 15th October - 6 pm - 7.30 pm

Bookings essential. Limited to 12 spaces.

Bookings and more information


Step into the timeless surrounds of The Metropole for an intimate evening of wine, cheese and conversation. Hosted by Clio Collar from Appletone Wine Imports, this guided tasting will introduce you to eight carefully selected Australian wines, showcasing a range of varieties, regions and styles.


Over 90 relaxed minutes, Clio will share the stories behind each wine, offering insights into its origins, character and winemaking style. Whether you are a dedicated wine enthusiast or simply curious to explore, the evening is designed to be welcoming, engaging and enjoyable. Each tasting will be accompanied by a generous selection of cheese, crackers, dried apricots and olives, served within the heritage charm of The Metropole.

THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN TOWN
174 Lurline St. , Katoomba

DID YOU KNOW the Victoria & Albert Guesthouse, Mount Victoria, is open for breakfast and lunch from 8am, 7 days a week.

MORE information

Beyond the Blacktop Adventure Tours specialises in offering a variety of exciting guided tours in the Blue Mountains region. Their services include immersive experiences such as the Army Truck Adventures, which provide a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes and natural beauty of the area. Beyond the Blacktop aims to create memorable experiences by inviting guests to "Share The Adventure!" through their diverse tour options.

>> NEW HIKING OPTIONS

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Bon Bakery Cafe - 176 Lurline St, Katoomba 

Natalie Claire Jazz Band - Modern Hits Made Vintage!

Saturday 17th October

Baroque Room (Carrington Hotel), Katoomba


Prepare to be transported back in time as 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 returns to the Baroque Room accompanied by her phenomenal band plus sax!

  • 'Dreams' (Fleetwood Mac) becomes Sarah Vaughan

  • 'Flowers' (Miley Cyrus) becomes Antonio Jobim

  • 'Man I Feel Like a Woman (Shania Twain) becomes Marilyn Monroe

  • 'Levitating (Dua Lipa) becomes Ella Fitzgerald

“This is not just a jazz band, but jazz royalty; musos at the top of their game.” Georgia Cassimatis, Sydney What’s On.


“This indeed was an amazing performance.” Eric Myers, Sydney Arts Guide.

“These jazz musicians are the real deal!” Scott Levi, ABC

7:00 pm: Doors - 7.30 pm: Music

MORE information

TICKETS
Website

The Metropole Halloween


Saturday 31st October: 4.00 - 9.00 PM

Bookings required

More information 


This Halloween, the historic Metropole Katoomba is getting a haunting transformation.


Step inside our historic guesthouse for an immersive, family-friendly Halloween experience filled with ghostly characters, eerie hallways, gothic décor and a few surprises lurking around every corner.


Explore the hotel as roaming zombies and undead hotel staff bring the building to life (or perhaps back from the dead). Follow the trick-or-treat trail, have your fortune revealed with a tarot reading, visit our Halloween face-painting station and discover themed activities throughout the hotel.


Come dressed for the occasion, with prizes up for grabs for the best adult, child and family costumes.


Expect atmospheric lighting, cobweb-covered rooms, swirling bats, fog, strange sounds and plenty of photo opportunities as The Metropole becomes a haunted hotel for one night only.

Draft National Parks Establishment Plan - Have your say


The NSW Government is seeking community feedback on the draft National Parks Establishment Plan (the draft plan).


National parks play an important role in conserving biodiversity and protecting cultural heritage across NSW.


The draft plan updates the current National Parks Establishment Plan (2008), providing a clear framework for growing the national park estate to protect NSW's unique natural and cultural heritage for future generations. This includes how land will be assessed and prioritised for future investment.


Your feedback will help shape the final plan by making sure a range of community perspectives and knowledge are considered.

https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/NPWS-est-plan

ABOUT ASK ROZ: Ask Roz Blue Mountains is the region’s leading and most trusted source of visitor information. In January 2026 alone, content from the Ask Roz Blue Mountains Facebook page generated over 6.4 million content views. Since 2020, our digital eMagazines have attracted more than 1.8 million content views, with an average of over 1,400 views every day.


Our specialised Facebook groups now bring together a community of more than 130,000 highly engaged members, collectively driving in excess of 4 million content views each month.


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