Sydney has had a damp, rainy start to autumn, but there are plenty of opportunities to savour the season’s rich colours not too far from the city. You can see the region light up with colours on a long, meandering drive through the countryside or spend a weekend exploring an autumn town and enjoying the vibrancy of the season before winter creeps up on us. One of our favourite year-round destinations is the Blue Mountains which comes alive in vivid colour during autumn. You can see 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 its full glory.
Before we get into the best places to see autumn leaves in the Blue Mountains, do note that it’s hard to predict exactly when the season will peak. April to May is generally the best time to visit but this is weather-dependent and you may need to get lucky to see all the colours blooming at once.
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 an excellent spot to get your fill of autumn colours all in one sprawling space. The 28-hectare public botanic garden is a sprawling space so you’ll need to prepare yourself for a long walk but the rich cacophony of red, orange, yellow and green scattered around the garden is well worth it. 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 45 minutes drive
📍Bells Line of Rd, Mount Tomah NSW 2758
2. Everglades Garden, Leura
Everglades Garden in Leura is delightful to visit all year round but it’s especially lovely to visit during autumn when the leaves are changing colour. There is a fee to enter the gardens but there is plenty to explore including a tea room, Art Deco architecture, a picturesque Grotto and Reflection Pool and plenty of scenic walks and expansive gardens drenched in autumn colour. Everglades is an easy 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 from 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 around Sydney. 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 get here 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 other lovely gardens that come alive during autumn and are worth checking out in the area. The neighbouring Nooroo Garden is also delightful during autumn and a short 7-minute walk. A longer 20-minute walk will take you to the most popular garden in Mount Wilson, the Breenhold Gardens.
Distance from Sydney: 2-hour drive
📍60 The Avenue, Mount Wilson NSW 2786
4. Wentworth Falls
Splashes of seasonal colour take over the lovely town of Wentworth Falls during autumn and it’s a lovely sight. 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 take about 1.5-2 hours to complete. En route to the lake you’ll also pass Sinclair Crescent lined by a photogenic tunnel of autumn leaves and it’s 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
You’ll see an explosion of autumn leaves on Blackheath’s back streets and around the station. The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens are an excellent spot to admire the maples and deciduous trees putting on a stunning display. 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.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 40 minute drive or direct train from Central to Blackheath Station
📍1 Bacchante St, Blackheath NSW 2785
6. Leura Mall
Leura is the quaint town located right after Wentworth Falls. Leura Mall or the main street of Leura is picture-perfect auring autumn with cherry trees that transform into vivid orange in the cold, mild season. Keep walking around town and exploring 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 especially during autumn.
Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 30 minute drive or direct train from Central to Leura Station
📍160 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780