Blue Mountains Tour Review: Sunset, Stargazing & Leura Village
This Blue Mountains Tour Review is based on my personal experience joining a full-day tour from Sydney. The itinerary included sunset views, a stop in Leura Village, and stargazing in the Blue Mountains. And it ended up being one of the highlights of my visit.
Here’s my honest review, including what I liked, what surprised me, and whether I think it’s worth booking.
Why I Chose This Blue Mountains Tour Review
Although it’s possible to visit the Blue Mountains independently, I decided to join a guided tour.
Many of the best viewpoints are spread out across the region, and I also wanted to stay for sunset and stargazing without worrying about transportation back to Sydney.
As a solo traveller, it felt like the easiest option.
First Impressions of the Blue Mountains
Before the tour, I assumed there would be a lot of hiking involved.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
Most of the travel is done by vehicle, and the walking sections are short and easy. You don’t need to be particularly fit to enjoy the experience.
That said, I would still recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as some paths are unpaved.
The scenery was completely different from what I expected.
The valleys seem to stretch on forever, and the landscape feels very different from the mountains I’m used to seeing in Korea.
Exploring Leura Village
One of the stops during the tour was Leura, a small town in the Blue Mountains region.
It was a nice break from sightseeing and gave everyone some free time to grab a coffee or have lunch.
The town itself is small but charming, with plenty of cafés and local shops.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was the number of wild birds.
They looked harmless, but they were surprisingly bold. At one point, one of them knocked over my coffee while I wasn’t paying attention.
If you’re carrying food, keep an eye on it.😂
Watching the Sunset
Later in the afternoon, we returned to the mountains to catch the sunset.
Seeing the same landscape at different times of the day was one of my favourite parts of the tour.
The atmosphere felt completely different compared to the morning.
As the sun started to set, the colours of the cliffs and valleys gradually changed, and the views became even more impressive.
If you’re choosing between a standard Blue Mountains tour and a sunset tour, I would definitely recommend the sunset option.
Dinner at ‘sANWIYE Korean Cafe’
Before heading to the stargazing location, we stopped in a nearby town for dinner.
The guide gave us a list of restaurant options, and everyone was free to choose wherever they wanted to eat. Since I visited during winter and the temperature had already started dropping after sunset, I was craving something warm and spicy.
I ended up eating Korean seafood noodle soup at ‘SANWIYE KOREAN CAFE’, and honestly, it was better than I expected.
After spending the afternoon outdoors and knowing we would be standing outside again to watch the stars, a hot meal was exactly what I needed.
If you’re visiting Blue Mountains in winter, I’d definitely recommend bringing a warm jacket and having a proper dinner before the stargazing part of the tour.
After dinner, I had a little time to explore the local shops nearby. It was actually a great place to pick up snacks, coffee beans, and a few Australian souvenirs before continuing the tour.
Stargazing in the Blue Mountains
The main reason I booked this particular tour was the stargazing experience.
After sunset, we headed to a darker area away from the city lights and waited for the sky to fully darken.
I visited during Australia’s winter, which meant it was already dark by around 7 PM.
The stars were incredible.
I’ve travelled to places specifically for stargazing before, including Mongolia, and I was genuinely impressed by how clear the sky was here.
Photos don’t really do it justice.
Most people ended up spending more time looking at the sky than taking pictures.
One thing I would recommend is bringing extra layers if you’re visiting during winter.
It became much colder than I expected after sunset.
Is the Blue Mountains Tour Worth It?
In my opinion, yes.
The combination of mountain views, a visit to Leura, sunset scenery, and stargazing made it feel like much more than a standard sightseeing tour.
It’s especially worth considering if:
- You’re visiting Sydney without a car
- You enjoy nature and scenic viewpoints
- You want to see the Blue Mountains at sunset
- You love stargazing
For me, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my Sydney trip and something I’d happily recommend to other travellers.
Final Verdict
Tour Rating: 9/10
Pros
- Easy way to visit the Blue Mountains from Sydney
- Beautiful sunset views
- Excellent stargazing opportunities
- Suitable for solo travellers
- Minimal hiking required
Cons
- Can get very cold after sunset
- Long day compared to regular city sightseeing
Would I do it again?
Absolutely!