Autumn is here, and there are plenty of ways to savour the brilliant seasonal colours on display around NSW. You can see the region light up with colours on a leisurely drive through the countryside or spend a weekend exploring an autumn town or visit a secret garden village bursting with colours not too far from Sydney. One of our favourite year-round destinations is the Blue Mountains, which comes alive in vivid colour during autumn. Streets, parks and gardens lined with a spectrum of autumnal colours, making it one of the most magical places to experience the changing season in full glory. The best time to visit is generally from April to May, but this is weather-dependent, so make sure to check ahead before you plan your trip.
P.S. Pair your visit with a rainforest hike, a waterfall adventure, a tranquil walking trail or gorgeous lookout to make the most out of your day trip. Here’s where to find autumn foliage in the Blue Mountains.
1. Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is the perfect spot to soak up autumn colours in one sprawling space. The 28-hectare public botanical garden offers a rich cacophony of red, orange, yellow and green across its grounds. At 1,000 metres above sea level, this is Australia’s highest cool climate botanic garden, so you can expect a stunning showcase of colour during autumn. Plus, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Blue Mountains as you stroll around. The gardens are open daily from 9am to 5pm. Plan your visit here.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour and 45 minutes drive
📍Bells Line of Rd, Mount Tomah NSW 2758
2. Everglades Garden, Leura
Everglades Garden in Leura are a delight to visit all year round but it’s especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves are changing colour. There is an entry fee, but it’s well worth it for the variety of experiences on offer, including a tea room, Art Deco architecture, a picturesque Grotto and Reflection Pool and plenty of scenic walks and expansive gardens drenched in autumn hues. Everglades is just a two-hour train ride from Sydney. You can buy tickets here or get them at the door.
Distance from Sydney: 2-hour drive or direct train to Leura from Central Station
📍37 Everglades Ave, Leura NSW 2780
3. Bebeah Garden, Mount Wilson
You might recognise Bebeah Garden by its iconic little red gate. This garden is enveloped in colourful maple leaves during autumn and is easily one of the top spots to see vivid fall foliage in the Blue Mountains. Give yourself a couple of hours to explore the large 12-acre private garden and its beautiful lawn areas found under a canopy of red, yellow and orange. If you visit early in the morning, you might even get it to yourself. There is an entry fee to the gardens, but it’s well worth it.
Mount Wilson is home to several other gardens that come alive during autumn. Just a short 7-minute walk will take you to the nearby Nooroo Garden which is delightful during autumn and a longer 20-minute stroll will take you to arguably the most popular garden in Mount Wilson, the Breenhold Garden.
Distance from Sydney: 2-hour drive
📍60 The Avenue, Mount Wilson NSW 2786
4. Wentworth Falls
Splashes of vibrant colour transform the lovely town of Wentworth Falls during autumn, and it’s a sight for sore eyes. Pack a picnic and head down to Wentworth Falls Lake surrounded by bright red and orange leaves. You can also walk around the lake which would be about a picturesque 1.5 to 2 hour stroll. On your way, don’t miss Sinclair Crescent, where you’ll find a photogenic tunnel of autumn leaves — one of the most Instagrammable spots around.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 20-minute drive or direct train from Central to Wentworth Falls Station
5. Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Blackheath
Blackheath’s back streets and areas around the station come alive with colour in autumn. The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens are a fantastic spot to admire the stunning display of maples and deciduous trees. Entry to the garden is $5 per adult, and the gardens are open every day from 9am to 4pm. The town also has many vintage stores and cosy cafes making it an ideal day out from the city. Wentworth Street is another popular spot to get your fill of autumn colours. Plan your weekend with our guide to Blackheath.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 40-minute drive or direct train from Central to Blackheath Station
📍1 Bacchante St, Blackheath NSW 2785
6. Leura
Leura, the charming town just after Wentworth Falls, is a picture-perfect autumn destination in the Blue Mountains. Leura Mall, the main street especially photogenic with cherry trees that turn vivid orange in the cooler months. Continue wandering through town and its back streets for more autumnal hues. Leura is located just east of Katoomba on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, and it’s one of the most picturesque places to explore in the region, particularly during autumn.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 30-minute drive or direct train from Central to Leura Station
📍160 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780