New South Wales (Sydney Region)
Leura
Just 2km east of Katoomba, the more upmarket Leura, packed with great cafés, art galleries and small boutiques, retains its own distinct identity and a real villagey atmosphere. The main street - The Mall - is secluded from the highway and its green median strip qualifies as a small park. Even the flower-filled station manages to look pretty, and indeed Leura is renowned for its beautiful gardens, some of which are open to the public during the Leura Gardens Festival (early to mid-Oct; $10 for visits to 8 gardens; details tel 4739 6266). Open all year round, though, is the Everglades Gardens (daily 9am-sunset; $5), situated in the grounds of an elegant mansion at 37 Everglades Ave. There are enjoyable views from its formal terraces, with a colourful display of azaleas and rhododendrons, an aboretum, and peacocks strutting among it all.
Not far from the village, the flowers give way to the bush: Leura Cascades can be viewed from the picnic area on Cliff Drive or take the two- to three-hour return walk to the base. A popular walking track from Leura Cascades is the Federal Pass, skirting the cliffs between here and Katoomba Falls (6km one-way; 2hr 30min). Other waterfalls in the area include the much-photographed Bridal Veil Falls, accessible from the Cascades picnic area, and Gordon Falls, which you can walk to from Lone Pine Avenue. To the east of Gordon Falls, Sublime Point Road leads to the aptly named Sublime Point lookout, with panoramic views of the Jamison Valley.

Eating
  • The Bakery Café 179 The Mall. Daily 7.30am-7.30pm. A tiny but thriving place consisting of a counter with a few stools - and heavenly bakery products to consume with excellent coffee.
  • Brad's Mountain Deli 134 The Mall. Mon-Fri & Sun 9am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm. A big range of food at reasonable prices makes this a popular one with the locals. Good-value sandwiches, yummy home-baked cakes, and friendly staff.
  • Landseers 178 The Mall. Daily 7.30am-5pm. Small café with a very striking, cosy interior, and a sunny courtyard, offering big sandwiches and lasagne, plus choice cakes and puds.

Events
  • Leura Village Fair in October: Community Fair Market Stalls. Entertainment, children's rides arranged by the Leura Village Association Inc. Marks the opening weekend of the Leura Garden Festival. Proceeds towards beautification and promotion of our Garden Village.
  • Leura Gardens Spring Festival in October: This major annual event draws thousands of people every year who come to inspect these spectacular private gardens at their peak. All proceeds go to local hospital.