The smell of wood fireplaces mixing with the crisp mountain air evokes memories of winter rugged up in the blue mountains.

While only a 90-minute drive west of Sydney, this NSW mountain region feels like a world away from the busyness of Sydney. Home to relaxed dining, pocket bakeries and cosy coffee shops, all you need to embrace the slow season.

It’s named after the blue hue the mountain range takes on when viewed from a distance; believed to be from the abundant eucalyptus trees disrupting the incoming light and scattering particles within the atmosphere.

What the Blue Mountains is perhaps most famous for is the Three Sisters, a sandstone rock formation and Indigenous Australian Dreamtime Legend about three sisters who were turned to stone by a tribal elder to protect them during a battle, when he was killed no one could turn them back.

The Jamison Valley which houses waterfalls, walking trails and over 400 different types of animals, can be experienced by The Giant Stairway or the Katoomba Scenic Railway constructed in 1878.

If the history, natural beauty and scent of the wood fires don’t captivate you, the taste of the local bakeries and patisseries will hold your attention.

1. BLACK COCKATOO BAKERY

Black Cockatoo Bakery is a pocket-sized bakery promising organic and sustainable ingredients, slow fermentation, naturally leavened and made with love.

The sourdough baguettes at Lawson’s Black Cockatoo Bakery are a local favourite, with their natural organic flour ferment process offering slow baking at its best. Owneroperator Alex Rivière, a former fine-dining chef started his baking journey in his kitchen baking loaves for local venues and his stall at The Blue Mountains Food Co-op.

Black Cockatoo was opened with his partner, Lulu Samuel, and locals Stefan Simchowitz and Rosi Riedl in 2018 and has a reputation for a cosy and tasty experience.

Our pick: Sourdough Baguettes

2. BAKERY PATISSERIE SCHWARZ

Patisserie Schwarz is a German bakery well known in the Blue Mountains, with visitors travelling out of their way just to grab one of their delicacies. With a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, customers hang their coats by the door ready to savour the international delights held within the glass cabinets.

For over 24 years, the Schwarz family have hand-baked cakes, pastries, pies and bread daily according to their traditional German recipes. Enjoy a hot cup of tea with scones and the Betzel is a must.

Our pick: SCONES

3. PIE IN THE SKY ROADHOUSE

Pie In The Sky is a popular location for locals and tourists offering an assortment of hot pies, including their popular hot apple pie topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The small bakery, located in Bilpin, has a range of delicious pastries, pies (including a hearty steak and pepper pie) and flaky sausage rolls.

On a road trip? Then grab a slice of their delicious fudge and a coffee to take away.

Our pick: HOT APPL E PIE

4. BAKEHOUSE ON WENTWORTH

The dream became reality in 2002 when a passionate baker opened his own bakery in Blackheath. Stocking his shelves with handmoulded sourdough loaves and the scent of freshly baked bread filling the streets enticing the returning hikers to come in. Sweet tempting cakes, irresistible treats and mouth-watering gourmet pies were created to complete the bakery’s range. Their meat pies are popular with locals, while tourists love to try their kangaroo pie.

Our pick: Kangaroo Pie

5. HOMINY BAKERY

Hominy Bakery is a little bakery located on the main street of Katoomba with a big reputation. The small space is always packed with people enjoying a selection of freshly baked breads, pies, sweet and savoury pastries. Light and fluffy churros are always a hit but it’s the chocolate hazelnut cake that keeps people going back for more.

Our pick: Chocolate Hazelnut Cake