Why the Blue Mountains? 

Less than two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a window in to former Gondawana land. Ancient sandstone escarpments, the remnants of the once sea floor, drop hundreds of metres into valleys of dense eucalypt forest. Waterfalls thread through canyon walls carving history into these geological masterpieces.  Mist rolls through the gorges on cool mornings and the blue haze of the eucalypt oil hangs in the air providing the uniqueness of this landscape to its name.  

This is a trip for women who want to actually earn their indulgence. The walking requires moderate fitness with the combination of  mountain tracks, stair climbs that test the legs and reward the eyes, and a long descents into valleys and canyons where the forest is a soothing feast for the eyes. The hustle, bustle of the city will feel a million miles away. At the end of each day, luxury lodge accommodation, and gourmet dinners treat and congratulate the body for work well done on the trails! 

We’ve designed this itinerary around the Blue Mountains’ greatest hits: the Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway, the legendary Furber Stairs, the otherworldly Grand Canyon track, the charming village of Leura, and a private tour of the Norman Lindsay Gallery. It’s a trip that holds the wild and the refined in perfect tension and a much loved destination since GirlsTrek inception in 2011. 

The Walking 

This is a Trek Fit trip. We want to be clear about that, because it matters: walking days run 6–8 hours, covering 6–16 km on trails that include some steep ascent and steep descents. There is significant stair climbing, and at times rough terrain underfoot although all the tracks are very well maintained by National Parks. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but you do need to be genuinely moderately fit, comfortable with uneven ground, and ready to push yourself. 

The reward for that effort is scenery that simply cannot be accessed any other way. These are not viewpoint walks. They are full immersions into one of Australia’s great natural landscapes, on the traditional lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. 

What the trails are like 

The trails of the Blue Mountains National Park are historic, varied and spectacular. Expect clifftop paths with vertiginous valley views, narrow canyon passages with dripping fern walls, sandstone stairways carved into escarpment faces, and forest walking so dense and quiet it feels like another world. The terrain shifts constantly — which is exactly what makes these days so memorable. 

NSW Parks undertakes regular maintenance on these trails, so we keep our route options flexible. We always include the iconic Furber Stairs — one of the Blue Mountains’ signature experiences — and on other days you might find yourselves on the Six Foot Track (the historic bullock dray route from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves), the Megalong Valley trail, the Ruined Castle, or the Federal Pass. The route changes; the quality of the day does not. 

Fitness and preparation 

We send every participant an at-home training program with their booking confirmation to help them prepare. Women who arrive having followed it consistently find the days challenging but very achievable. Women who arrive without preparation find them hard. We want you to have the best possible experience, so we encourage you to take the preparation seriously — your legs will thank you by Day 3. 

The Accommodation 

This is the indulgence part. After big days on the mountain, we return each evening to Parklands Estate Lodge at the edge of Blackheath — an elegant country property set on a tranquil estate. Spacious rooms with fireplaces and sitting areas are exactly what tired legs need. This is not a tent. This is not a bunkroom. This is the kind of accommodation that makes the effort feel genuinely worth it. 

Accommodation is on a twin-share basis, however you may request a single room at an additional cost.  

Dining & the Food Story 

Eating well after a big day on the mountain is not a luxury — it is a necessity, and one we take seriously. GirlsTrek has chosen restaurants that match the ambition of the walking: gourmet dinners that celebrate local and seasonal produce, set in the kind of Blue Mountains dining rooms that make you linger. 

Dinner on Day 2 is a rustic Italian experience with handmade pasta, seasonal ingredients and the GirlsTrek celebratory glass of bubbles. Day 3 brings a share-menu dinner celebrating Blue Mountains produce with creativity and elegance. Picnic lunches on the trail, a pub meal on the first night to get to know one another, and a final lunch at the Norman Lindsay Gallery round out the food story. 

Every meal is planned to fuel the walking ahead and reward the walking behind. On a trip this physically demanding, the food is not incidental — it is part of the recovery. 

“The group had a splendid time walking, talking, eating and sampling some good wines! Such fun, such good memories. Excellent.” — Barbara M, Tripadvisor, May 2024 

The Norman Lindsay Gallery 

On the final day, after the Grand Canyon walk, we make our way to the Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge for a private tour. Lindsay’s historic home, workrooms and gardens are a window into one of Australia’s most fascinating and prolific artistic lives — the man who created The Magic Pudding worked here for decades, surrounded by a landscape that clearly shaped everything he made. 

Our tour explores Lindsay’s life and work, with particular attention to the strong women who shaped and propelled his career. It’s a fittingly rich and thought-provoking end to four days of movement, conversation and discovery. 

What to Expect Day by Day 

Day 1 — Sydney to Blackheath: Valley of the Waters 

Your GirlsTrek guide meets you at Sydney Airport for a private transfer to the Blue Mountains — arrive dressed and ready to walk. The group stops for lunch at the Conservation Hut Café, then heads straight out onto the Valley of the Waters circuit: a 10–12 km route along clifftop paths with cascading waterfall views. After the trek, you settle into Parklands Estate Lodge and enjoy a relaxed pub dinner at the popular Blackheath hotel just a short walk away — the perfect way to get to know your fellow trekkers. 

Day 2 — Furber Stairs & the valley floor (15–18 km) 

The big day. The Furber Stairs descend from the top of the escarpment to the valley floor in a series of historic sandstone steps — magnificent, demanding, and utterly unforgettable. Once on the valley floor, the route depends on the season and trail conditions, with options including the Six Foot Track, Megalong Valley, the Ruined Castle, or the Federal Pass. Picnic lunch on the track. Back at the lodge by 4:30pm. Tonight brings the GirlsTrek celebratory bubbles and a rustic Italian dinner: handmade pasta, seasonal ingredients, the works. 

Day 3 — Blackheath to Leura: Giant Stairway & Federal Pass (15 km) 

Starting at Echo Point with the Three Sisters framed against the valley, you descend the Giant Stairway into the Jamison Valley. The 15 km route through Dardanelles Pass and along the Federal Pass Walking Track passes waterfalls, lush forest and morning tea stops in the Leura Forest before arriving at the charming village of Leura for lunch. The afternoon is yours: wander the boutique shops, book into the Blue Mountains Sauna for a Finnish-style two-hour session (pre-booking required), or simply sit with a coffee and let the day settle. Dinner that evening is a gourmet share menu at a short stroll from the lodge. 

Day 4 — Grand Canyon, Norman Lindsay Gallery & Sydney 

The final morning offers a choice: sleep in at the lodge, or take on the Grand Canyon track — one of the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular 6 km circuits, descending through narrow canyon walls past waterfalls and ancient rock faces before a challenging ascent to Evans Lookout. From there, the group heads to the Norman Lindsay Gallery for the private tour and lunch. Late afternoon brings the private transfer back to Sydney Airport, arriving in time for evening flights. 

Is This Trip Right for You? 

The Blue Mountains Indulgence is our most physically demanding trip, and also one of our most loved. It suits women who are: 

• Are looking for a challenge wrapped in indulgence — this trip asks something real of you physically and provides maximum comfort at night. 

• Drawn to dramatic, wild landscapes rather than gentle scenic strolls 

• Interested in Australian history, culture and art — the Norman Lindsay visit adds real depth 

• Travelling solo and wanting a warm, like-minded group to push through big days alongside 

• Celebrating something — a fitness milestone, a big birthday, a personal goal achieved 

It is not suited to women who are new to hiking, managing knee or joint issues, or looking for a relaxed, gentle pace. If that’s you, our Mornington Peninsula retreat, King Valley Walking & Wine or Barossa Walking and Wine trips may be a better fit — and we’re happy to help you find the right one. 

Practical Information 

Getting there 

GirlsTrek meets you at Sydney Airport for a private transfer to Blackheath on Day 1 — arrive dressed and ready to trek. On the final day, the group is transferred back to Sydney Airport in time for evening flights. We’ll share logistics details and connection options in your pre-trip information pack. 

What to bring 

Good hiking/trekking shoes or boots are essential. Waterproof jacket and warm layers as it can be cool in the mornings when we set off. Trekking poles if you use them, and a good daypack as well as some smart casual outfits for evening dinners. A full trip-specific packing list is sent with your booking confirmation, with expert advice and discounts at Paddy Palin Outdoors and LNDR activewear. 

Weather 

The Blue Mountains sit at around 1,000 metres elevation, which means weather conditions differ significantly from Sydney. Mornings are cool to cold year-round; afternoons in summer can be warm; winter days are cold with occasional frost. Rain and mist are possible at any time — and both make the landscape even more dramatic. Autumn is a spectacular time to visit, with turning foliage and settled conditions. Spring brings wildflowers and warming days. Come prepared for the mountain, and you’ll find every season has its own particular beauty.