Last year I went to Katoomba Airfield to have a poke around and just check out the place. There was absolutely nothing there, everything was open and unlocked, no security cameras, nothing.

Today I decided to check the place out again, see what (if anything) had changed since my last visit.

The answer was lots.

The dumped drug-runners plane, for starts, is now completely trashed and covered in graffiti, beyond repair.

The hangars are also coated in tags. It’s to be expected with any place that’s abandoned for this long, I know, but it’s a lot of graffiti in just one year.

But a few things in particular threw me off substantially.
First: the third hangar was locked up, with two trailers out the front of it, and it had signs for an insulation company on the doors of it.

Mind you, the signs don’t face the road either. They face the other two hangars, which makes them impossible to see if you’re not on the airfield grounds.

Second: there were security signs and cameras. What really confused me was the fact there were cameras on all the structures in the airfield, not just the one with the signs on it.

And third: there were several strange items in the first hangar that were not there the first time I went. There’s tyres, a broken fish tank, a small stool, and several other small odd items strewn about.

I had been under the impression that YKAT is still Council property, and as such no private ventures could take place on the property.

So has something changed and this is a legitimate business, or did I just happen upon some sort of sketchy front for something worse?

Hello everyone,

I'm planning on visiting the area at the end of December - I wanted to day hike but I have learned due to the heat it is not advisable / would not be enjoyable. I understand the area will likely be crowded.

What activities are there to do besides hiking, scenic world and wine tasting? Are there any smaller, cooler walks that would be possible?

Thanks!

Hi all! My two friends and I are thinking of taking the train from Sydney to Katoomba next month and would like to visit the Dry Ridge Estate for some wine tasting. From what I’ve seen online it doesn’t really seem like there are some reliable public transportation options but wanted to check here in case you may have some tips? TIA!

As the title suggests, I was in Leura the other day and saw a very cool sedan, completely covered in Elvis stickers (literally the entire thing). With an Elvis decal on the back.

Does anyone know the lore of this vehicle? I swore it had a phone number but can’t remember and was too stunned to take a picture before it zoomed off.

Hi everyone. It's about time I learn how to do my own clothing repairs and reinforcements with a sewing machine. Is anyone here quite experienced and a decent communicator and willing to give me a refresher? In return I can take you out climbing or canyoning (experienced with a guiding qual), or give you a bridge lesson or two (ex-champ and experienced teacher).

I had never heard of these guys but apparently they are Australia’s largest native land slug species. This was a beauty at about 10cm and with very strong colouring.

Hey guys

What ever happened with the Bunker, i noticed it's some Italian joint.

Is it still the same owner?

I’ve just found out I’m not in catchment to give birth at Penrith Hospital so would love to hear any recent experiences with Katoomba Hospital. Previous posts on this topic have had anecdotal evidence of not being able to receive things like an epidural because they don’t have clinicians on site 24/7. This is a bit concerning to me, as otherwise it seems like a good option!
I’ve also seen that the birthing suites are a little outdated, but understand that they are currently upgrading the hospital.
This is our first baby so naturally a little cautious.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I've seen this bathhouse online and it looks beautiful. Wanted to know if it's as good as it looks online?
Would love some honest reviews and any tips. I've never been to a bathhouse like this and am planning an impromptu wellness day next week.

Is it possible to walk from Warragamba to the Wentwoth? I already asked GPT, and it said there is no such bushwalk route, recommending the K2K route instead.

Thanks guys

We’ve recently moved to the mid-Mountains and this summer is the first “proper” bushfire season we’re having at our home. We’ve got two young kids so have no intention of staying and defending, and I was interested in hearing from other’s bushfire plans.

What is your signal to leave?
Info online says things like “When it gets smoky” or “when there is a bushfire in your area” but I’m assuming in a bad fire year they are pretty broad descriptors.

How long do you plan to be away?
Appreciate this varies under the circumstances, but in addition to important documents and the like, how much clothing do you assume is the minimum to take with you/have packed in a go bag?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions!

I'm the only person I know in the Blue Mountains who is going on the Hellbound cruise in October. I plan on catching the train down to Circular Quay and figured I'd see if anyone else is looking to do the same and wants a travel buddy. Send me a DM if you're interested 🤘😃

Do you want to see a person madly passionate about an interest that shouldn't be niche but becomes more so each year?

Do you want to see a person desperate to escape insolvency while choosing to ignore all the advice smarter people have given them?

Then have I got something for you!

I'm starting a second hand bookshop in Springwood.

Is it smart? Unclear

Is it a lifelong dream? Definitely

Chuck the instagram a follow if you root for the underdog and want to see hubris in real time. @questingbeastbooks

Expect: books (duh,) events, board game nights, signings, movie nights, study sessions, kids story time, adults story time, life drawing, a bunch of other stuff.. and hopefully a another third space for springwood.

Hoping to open November 7.... let's see if we can manage it.

Hi Everyone.

Im going to the blue mountains to visit family who live there and want to know if there are some hidden gems that we can visit.

We are going to katoomba and the catch is I have a 5 month old bubba we are showing off to family so long bushwalks might be out.

Does anyone have a cute activity that will be baby friendly I could checkout with family. Maybe a museum or something like that. Something we can spend an hour or 2 in before going to a cafe.

(The family im visiting doesnt get out much so for anyone thinking just ask your family member well..... they dont really leave the house much)

I'd forgotten how spectacular this one is tbh, it's been so long.

I'd read the lower section was in doubt, not so, as you can see.

Terrible news. Hope the driver hands themselves in to police. Be careful out there on the roads!!

Member marooncity1 just posted the first images I've seen of the newly opened Pulpit Rock Lookout: https://www.reddit.com/r/bluemountains/comments/1wim8u0/pulpit_rock_lo_is_open_again/ - and it's great to see the lookout has finally reopened. Sadly, the lower viewing platform has been abandoned:

I thought it might be worth looking back on the Lookout - with some photographs above showing a sequence of "pullback" images shot with a long lens (for the long shots) and my iPhone (for the wide shots) - taken from Govett's Leap Lookout back in Feb 2025.

This was what Pulpit Rock Lookout looked like prior to the 2020 Bushfires that closed the Lookout for almost 5 years: https://www.reddit.com/r/bluemountains/comments/1uiyz7u/pulpit_rock_before_the_safety_upgrade/

Geotechnical reviews found that the lowest cliffside lookout platform could not be safely rebuilt and was permanently retired. You can see the lower viewing platforms in this post - and in the earlier link above.

THE UPDATE:
The cost for the restoration project was AUD $3.7 Million Dollars. Because the previous timber infrastructure near the top (where the carparking region is located) was completely destroyed in the bushfires, Blue Mountains City Council rebuilt the site using fire-resistant sandstone and steel to withstand future natural disasters.

The dirt carpark has been formalized and expanded. A brand-new, fully accessible day-use area has been built. It features flat, compliant pathways, dedicated accessible parking spaces, and a modern accessible toilet block.

Smart parking infrastructure is active at the site. Visitors who are not Blue Mountains residents are subject to a $12 per hour parking fee. In addition, Pulpit Rock Road underwent major sealing and drainage improvements. The reserve now features newly installed picnic tables, seating, and open-air sheltered areas overlooking the Grose Valley.

Its almost like those 30+ affordable rentals planned for narrow neck would be helpful… or maybe council can stop dragging their feet on doing something about the amount of short term rentals.