BLUE MOUNTAINS - FEATURING THE LEURA GARDEN FESTIVAL

Discover the beauty of the Blue Mountains on this relaxed 5-day escape, perfectly timed to coincide with the colour and creativity of the Leura Garden Festival. Travel in comfort with Port Bus and settle in for four nights at Lithgow as we explore charming villages, heritage landmarks and some of Australia’s most celebrated gardens. Highlights include time to wander the festival’s open gardens and markets, a visit to the historic Everglades Gardens, and a nostalgic stop at Bygone Beautys—home to antiques, collectables and an extraordinary teapot collection.

Nature lovers will be inspired by a full day at the magnificent Mayfield Garden, followed by a guided exploration of the awe-inspiring Jenolan Caves. Another standout day features a grand high tea at the historic Carrington Hotel and unforgettable rides at Scenic World, showcasing rainforest, waterfalls and iconic valley views. The journey home is capped off with a gentle cruise aboard the elegant Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler, a fitting finale to a tour filled with colour, heritage and classic Blue Mountains scenery.

DAY 1: HOME TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Friday 02 October 2026 (MTLD)

Welcome to Port Bus's 5-day tour of the Blue Mountains. Today is a travel day, so sit back and relax aboard our luxury coach as we head off on our holiday. We stop for a morning break along the way and lunch at Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Club. Heading on the outskirts of Sydney before climbing into the Blue Mountains. Upon our arrival, we check into our accommodation for the next four nights and freshen up for dinner.

Lunch at Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Club and dinner in the motel

Lithgow Workies Club Motel | 4 nights

DAY 2: LEURA GARDEN FESTIVAL

Saturday 03 October 2026 (BMTD)

This morning, we travel to Leura, where we spend the day. Leura is Aboriginal for “lava”; the name was given to the village because of the area’s wealth of volcanic stones. It is the rich volcanic soil that is responsible for Leura’s international reputation for possessing some of the nation’s most beautiful gardens. On arrival, we enjoy morning tea at Bygone Beauty’s - the largest private emporium of Antiques and collectables in the Blue Mountains. A trove for treasure hunters and all who love a living touch of history. Take a trip down memory lane as we browse around rooms filled with jewellery, furniture, fine China, dinner services, dolls and toys. There also happens to be 1400 odd teapots on display! Leaving Bygone Beauty’s, we have time at leisure to enjoy the festivities and markets of the Leura Garden Festival* and to purchase lunch. We make a time to meet back up this afternoon to visit the Everglades Gardens, which is one of the most important historic gardens in Australia and is considered by many to be unparalleled in the country for its unique design and historical significance. We have time here to wander, enjoying the beautiful gardens. After a sensational day, we return to our resort via the Scenic Cliff Drive for dinner.

Garden Festival program and open gardens still to be released and subject to change

Breakfast and dinner in the motel | Morning Tea at Bygone Beauty’s | Lunch on your own cost and arrangements

Day 3: MAYFIELD GARDENS AND JENOLAN CAVES

Sunday 04 October 2026 (BLD)

We spend the day at Mayfield Garden, one of the largest privately owned cool climate gardens in the world. Nestled within a 5000-acre working farm, initial works on the garden were quite modest in scale, but it grew… and grew… and grew to become what it is today. See the beautiful Water Garden, Valley of the Five Ponds and have time to explore and take in the beauty of the garden. We enjoy lunch here before heading to Jenolan Caves. Tucked in a valley, the caves were first discovered by accident over 150 years ago. Since then, people have come from all over the world to see Jenolan’s spectacular limestone caves. Upon arrival, we enjoy a guided tour through the Imperial Cave. It is here that our local guide explains about the stalagmites, stalactites and helictites, providing a fascinating and educational insight into these natural wonders.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel | lunch at Mayfield Gardens

Day 4: BLUE MOUNTAINS

Monday 05 October 2026 (BHTD)

Following breakfast, we head into Katoomba township, where there is the elegant Carrington Hotel. The Carrington has a long and rich history spanning almost a century and a quarter since her establishment by Sydney hotelier Harry Rowell. Opened in 1882 as The Great Western, this Grand Old Lady soon became a popular mountain retreat for international visitors, the elite of Sydney and those eager to see the natural wonders of the Blue Mountains. The Carrington closed its doors in late 1985 and remained empty and derelict until 1991, when it was purchased to restore and relaunch this Grand Old Lady of the Mountains. The Carrington reopened its doors in December 1998 after eight years of restoration. We have arranged a tour and a high tea, taking it all in before heading to Scenic World, where we take a ride on the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway. We descend 415m down the escarpment at a gradient of 52 degrees and travel through the tunnel and ancient rainforest. When we disembark, we take the 300m rainforest boardwalk to connect with the Flyway platform. The Scenic Cableway is the steepest aerial cable car in Australia. It will take us on a 545-metre ride up through the World Heritage Listed rainforest of the Jamison Valley. Our final adventure at Scenic World is to join the Scenic Skyway to take the journey 270m above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls. This ride boasts a world first, state-of-the-art Electro-Scenic Glass Floor. At the flip of a switch breath breathtaking views are revealed through the cabin floor directly below. The 360-degree birds-eye view takes in the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the never-ending expanse of the Jamison Valley. After a lovely day, we return to the hotel for dinner.

Breakfast and dinner in the motel | high tea at Carrington Hotel

DAY 5: BLUE MOUNTAINS TO HOME

Tuesday 06 October 2026 (BMT)

This morning, we travel to Penrith, where we board the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for a morning cruise on the Nepean River, with the opulent scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park around us. The Nepean Belle is a romantic old-world style Paddlewheeler. Reflecting the grace and charm of yesteryear, the "Belle's" interiors are beautifully panelled with stained timbers featuring cedar and teak. After a relaxing cruise, we make our way home, arriving with many great experiences enjoyed on tour.

Breakfast in motel | Morning tea from the coach | Lunch at own cost

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• 4 nights’ hotel accommodation

• 4 cooked breakfasts

• 4 motel dinners

• 3 included lunches – see below

• Lunch at the Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Club - The Kitchen

• Entry and Morning Tea at Bygone Beautys, Leura

• Entry to Everglades Gardens, Blue Mountains

• Entry to Leura Garden Festival

• Entry to Mayfield Garden, Oberon

• Garden Lunch Pack at Mayfield Garden, Oberon

• Imperial Cave Tour at the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust

• History Tour and Full High Tea at The Carrington Hotel

• Ultimate Discovery Pass at Scenic World, Blue Mountains

• Morning Cruise on Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler, Blue Mountains

CONFIRMED ACCOMMODATION

• Lithgow Workies Club Motel (4 nights)

$2,599 pp twin | + $620 pp single sup | $500 pp deposit

For more information or to book;

Phone: 02 6583 3330

Email: admin@portbus.com.au

Website: https://www.portbus.com.au

Please Note

• Price is based on a minimum of 20 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 20, this may need to be recosted.

• Price is valid for the above tour dates only

• It is highly recommended that you have travel insurance in the event of travel disruptions.

• Accommodation is subject to availability. If alternative accommodation needs to be sourced, the price could change.

• Attractions are subject to availability. When these are booked, we request passenger numbers based on those the tour has been costed.

• Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

Contact the host of Blue Mountains Heritage & Garden Highlights