The Holiday and Travel Magazine: YHA Blue Mountains - the ideal place to stay in Katoomba

Friday, 17 November 2023

YHA Blue Mountains - the ideal place to stay in Katoomba

Front of YHA Blue Mountains Hostel

I remember going to the Blue Mountains when my children were young. That is quite some time ago, so this year I decided to revisit the area. For company I took with me a visitor from overseas to share the beauty of the area with him.

We stayed several nights in the YHA Blue Mountains in Katoomba. This is housed in a beautifully restored old National Trust art deco building. It was originally a guest house known as the Homesdale that thrived when Katoomba was the place to go for honeymoons. An addition to the property was the Wentworth Cabaret Club ballroom with a sprung timber dance floor and art deco stage. Weekly dances were all the rage back then in the 1930's. The YHA took over the property in 2000.

There is a choice of guest rooms at the YHA Blue Mountains. All the guest rooms rooms have fast Wi-Fi and include pillows, sheets, doonas and heating.

Private Guest Room

For those seeking privacy there are private single, twin, double and family rooms. Tea and coffee are provided, and many of these private rooms have en-suites. We enjoyed out stay in our private double room. It was clean, comfortable and had an ensuite. We slept well each night on a comfortable mattress in this quiet room on the ground floor.

For those who do not mind sharing with other people there are co-living rooms of four, five, six or eight beds. These are availble in single-gender or mixed-gender rooms and all have individual lockers for storing clothes and gear.

Dining Area

There are many spaces in the YHA Blue Mountains to relax. The main lounge, with comfortable lounges and chairs and log fire, is in the impressive former ballroom. The dining room has plenty of tables and chairs to enjoy the meals made in the kitchen. There are areas for reading, watching TV or playing games. A billiard table is available to impress others with your ball sinking skills. Outside is a BBQ and seating area.

Kitchen

A large kitchen is available 24 hours for self-catering. It is clean and well appointed with plenty of plates, mugs, pots, pans, cookers, and microwaves to use. There are plenty of shelf places and refrigerators to store your labelled food. Washing up is done in several sinks with bins available for recycled and general waste.

To stay connected to the outside world free, fast Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. For clothes washing coin operated washing machines and dryers are available to use.

Y-Hive Coworking Space

For those who would like to combine a holiday with some work, the Hostel has the Y-Hive Coworking Space to use on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This space has large desks with comfortable ergonomic chairs. There are computers to use, free printing and scanning, high speed wifi and wireless charging. For refreshments there is a full-service kitchenette with free tea, coffee and cookies.

The YHA Blue Mountains is located in Katoomba, 2 hours west of Sydney. By car it is along the M4 and Great Western Highway, with parking at the hostel. To travel by train, NSW TrainLink Intercity trains depart each hour from Central Station. On arrival at the Katoomba Station it is just a 10 minute walk along the main street, Katoomba Street to reach the Hostel.

Lounge Area

Katoomba has many interesting shops, cafes and restaurants close by in the main street. These are just a short walk away from the Hostel. Coles & Woolies supermarkets and a BIG W are in malls just one street behind the main street.

Katoomba is close to the cute township of Leura, attractive gardens and large National Parks. Delightful cliff top walks offering spectacular views. For those more energetic, their are walks (with many steps...) down into the valleys below. Not to be missed are the views from Echo Point Lookout towards the Three Sisters. We filled in one day by riding on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, visiting the attractions at Scenic World and having lunch at Leura.

Rear BBQ Area

For those who would like to enjoy adventure experiences with a small group of people, half day and full day activities can be booked at the Blue M ountains Canyoning and Rock Climbing which is based inside the Hostel. They offer abseiling, rock climbing, canyoning, mountain biking and a bush survival course.

We enjoyed our stay at the YHA Blue Mountains. We found it had a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There was a good mix of International and Australian guests of various ages. It is the ideal base in the Blue Mountains for individuals, couples, families or groups to explore this wonderful part of Australia.

For great winter deals at YHA see Live your best winter | YHA Australia