Blue Mountains

ECO Certified Destination (Ecotourism) since 2023.

Imbued with a rich natural and cultural history, the Blue Mountains is known for its outstanding natural beauty, its heritage and its diverse array of nature based and cultural tourism offerings. The Blue Mountains is a premier destination for sustainable tourism in Australia and internationally.

Visitors will find a friendly and welcoming local community, stunning nature-based experiences, a thriving arts and culture scene and an array of dining and shopping experiences.

As you travel through the Blue Mountains, immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural landscapes and the rich cultural and spiritual sites of Dharug and Gundungurra Country. Please step thoughtfully on these lands, respecting the traditions of the ancestors who walked before us, and preserving them for generations to come.

Our community

The City of the Blue Mountains is located within the Country of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. The Blue Mountains City Council recognises that Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and that this is of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region. Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal community are supported to connect to, care for and benefit from Country.

Today, the Blue Mountains identifies as one community and a series of communities. Each town and village has its own character and distinctive features. Overall we are a vibrant, healthy and resilient community that is caring and connected. The World Heritage Area bushland backdrop underpins our community life and we plan our settlements to minimise our impact on the environment.

Sustainability Commitment

Surrounded by World Heritage Listed wilderness, the Blue Mountains is a natural wonder right on Sydney’s doorstep. In fact, we are one of two destinations in the World surrounded by a UNESCO declared World Heritage National Park. We want you to enjoy our beautiful home now and for generations to come. That is why we are committing to more sustainable tourism for our destination.

We have a number of initiatives in place throughout the Blue Mountains with a focus on sustainability and the protection of our beautiful surrounds. This includes the Leura Wastes Project, our Cities Power Partnership pledge and our journey to becoming an internationally recognised ECO Destination.

Blue Mountains City Council has also adopted a target of becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2025, as measured through the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) certification process. To meet this target, Council is undertaking the following projects:

• Installing energy efficient lighting across Council facilities.
• Replacing inefficient street lighting
• Installing 289 kW of roof top solar panels on several Council facilities.

Shop, play, dine and stay local

During your stay support Blue Mountains local businesses where you can. The Blue Mountains offers an array of shopping, dining, accommodation and tourism experiences suitable for everyone.