Things to do around Blackheath

Want to spend a week in the Blue Mountains?

Here are some ideas of things to do around Blackheath:

Painting and Art

Art Classes to inspire your spirit
These Tuesday mornings (run fortnightly) 9am-1pm, offer time and space in a beautiful Blackheath studio and are facilitated by artist, Lindena Robb. Time to experiment with luscious art materials, to learn skills and techniques, awaken your latent creative spirit and to practice mindfulness in the process. Art materials and a delicious morning tea are provided. $50. Please book in advance. Private classes available. Phone Lindena 0410310205 or for more information www.lindena-robb.com.au

Escape to Create on Saturdays
Each Saturday focuses on a different theme. Monthly 9am-1pm. Art materials and a delicious morning tea provided. $60. Please book in advance.

  • FEB 26 Silk Painting MAR 26 A meditation on seeing clearly APR 16 Exploring our place of belonging MAY 7 A meditation on mandalas JUNE 25 Collage JULY 23 Mandalas AUG 27 Patterns with Pigment SEPT 24 Branching out to dream OCT 22 Soul cards and Chakras NOV 12 Printing

Walk and be inspired

by some of the most beautiful scenery that the Blue Mountains (World Heritage Listed) National Park has to offer

  • The Grand Canyon Walk starts at Neates Glen Carpark (just around the corner) and finishes at Evans Lookout (3 hours return),
  • The Cliff Top Walk from Evans Lookout to Govett's Leap,
  • Walls Cave,
  • Pulpit Rock,
  • Popes Glen are just a small handful of the glorious walks in the immediate area.
  • Check out  http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking/general/list-of-walks.html?groupid=53 for further information and maps.

Enjoy a Devonshire Tea

Megalong Valley
Visit the Megalong Tea Rooms for scones, home made blackberry jam and cream. http://www.megalongtearooms.com or drive a short distance further and enjoy a picnic by the creek. You can continue on through private gates to the National Park there, where there are some great hikes. If you enjoy horse riding then Werri Berri Trail rides can organise short or long excursions for all abilities

or a picnic

Mermaids Glen (on Megalong Valley Road)
Lovely in hot weather - an interesting walk through cool rainforest to waterfall and pool.

Watch a movie at an old fashioned cinema

Mt Vic Flicks
Any Thursday to Sunday, visit the original old-fashioned cinema at Mt Victoria, and enjoy a cup of tea in a real mug and a Choc Top. http://www.bluemts.com.au/mountvic/sessions.asp This place is a local favourite!

Art, Craft, Books and Antiques
The town of Blackheath abounds with local crafts people, artists, galleries, second hand and antique shops.

  • Keith Rowe's Hand Blown Glass Gallery and head across to the workshop on Station Street to watch the pieces being made (wonderful on a cold day!).
  • Jewel for beautiful amber and silver jewellery,
  • Victory Theatre Antiques and Cafe,
  • Gleebooks, great art galleries, boutiques, and good restaurants and cafes (see our eating out section).


Visit the amazing Jenolan Caves

A one and a half hour drive -  http://www.jenolancaves.org.au, or join the '6 Mile Track' and walk a short section.
On the way home - stop at Talismans Metalwork Gallery for fabulous wood-fired pizza and delicious tiramisu and great coffee.
Talisman Gallery - open Wed-Sun http://www.talismangallery.com.au

Stop and smell the flowers

at Campbell's Rhodendron Gardens (Wentworth Street) you can have a walk around the delightful gardens and sit and enjoy the colour and the quiet.
http://rhodogarden.org.au/ Flowers best between September and early December.

Swim your laps or just cool off

Local Blackheathens think they have perhaps, one of the most beautiful local pools in the area or indeed the world! (yes, we are very fond of it)
Opens 18th December 7am to 7pm -$5 adults $3:50 kids. Look for http://friendsofblackheathpool.blogspot.com (ask for a pass out and you can come and go all day). Closes 3 April.
Walk down to the duck pond and there are free electric BBQ's for cooking a meal.

Shop at our Local Markets

Local Blackheath Markets are the first Sunday of the month at Blackheath Public School. Look out for the growers table where local gardeners bring in fresh produce and eggs and seedlings to sell. Also second hand stalls and local products.

Regional Growers Markets are the second Sunday of the month. A fantastic array of fresh, regional produce. Veges, seedlings, jams, breads, salt bush lamb, pickles, locally grown olives to name just a few.

Further down the mountain at Lawson Public School are the Magpie Markets on the third Sunday of the month and also has a local growers table.

Take home some local Produce

During the apple season drive out along Shipley Road and stock up on locally grown apples and freshly pressed apple juice from Logan Brae Apple Orchard (closed Saturdays). Keep driving and you will come to Shipley Gallery and Tearooms which is open on weekends and then on to Hargraves Lookout and Mt Blackheath which is a favourite spot for hang gliding.

Like honey? Pick some up from the watch repair shop behind the laundomat on Wentworth Street.

Brush up on some history

Blackheath History Forum 2011 Season "Australia and the World"

held fortnightly on Sundays. The Blackheath History Forum is open to anyone interested in understanding Australian history in both its national and global contexts.

The second series of seven fortnightly lectures -- 'Australia and the World' -- begins on Sunday, 31 July 2010, and will focus on some important recent debates about the impact of international events on Australian History.

This year's speakers will include Paul Ham, Richard Waterhouse, David Bird, Andrew Moore, Steven Miller, and Robert O'Neill.

During NSW History Week we shall also be staging the second annual Vere Gordon Childe Memorial Lecture, which Professor Henry Reynolds will deliver on Sunday September 11 on the subject 'Australia in the Early Twentieth Century: The Burdens of Race, Place and Empire'.

Each session will be moderated by Forum Chair Neal Blewett.  Our normal format is a 45-minute talk, followed by a tea break and then up to an hour of group discussion.  Our venue is the Blackheath Primary School Hall.  Doors open at 3.30 pm for a 4 pm start.  Admission is $5.  Refreshments available. No need for pre booking.

For full programme see:

http://www.blackheathhistoryforum.org.au/index.php/program-2010



... or some philosophy?

Blackheath Philosophy Forum 2011 Season "Current States of Play"

Held fortnightly on Saturdays from April 2 to July 23 at Blackheath Public School Hall. Doors open at 3:30pm for a 4pm start. The cost is $5 (refreshments available) and participants are encouraged to continue discussion at the local pub or restaurant afterwards.

Programme information: http://www.blackheathphilosophy.com.au/program.html