February is one of those months in the Blue Mountains that visitors tend to overlook. Everyone knows about autumn leaves. Everyone has heard the winter fireplace pitch. But February? February is when the mountains are at their greenest, the waterfalls are pumping from summer storms, the evenings cool down beautifully after warm days, and the crowds from Christmas have packed up and gone home.
If you are planning a trip to the Blue Mountains this February, you have picked well. Here is your complete guide to what is happening, what to do, and what to expect.
The Weather: What to Actually Pack
February in Katoomba sits somewhere between "gorgeous summer day" and "where did that thunderstorm come from?" Average daytime temperatures hover around 22 to 25 degrees, dropping to a comfortable 13 to 15 overnight. This is important if you are coming from Sydney, where February nights are sticky and hot. Up here at 1,000 metres elevation, you will sleep with a blanket on. Every night.
Pack layers. A t-shirt and shorts for daytime walking, a light jumper for evenings, and a rain jacket that actually works. February is one of the wetter months in the Blue Mountains, and the afternoon storms can roll in fast. They are spectacular to watch from a covered verandah with a glass of wine, less spectacular if you are halfway down the Giant Stairway.
Both of our Katoomba cottages have heating and extra blankets for the evenings, plus covered outdoor areas where you can sit and watch the storms roll across the valley. There is something genuinely magical about a Blue Mountains thunderstorm when you are warm and dry with nowhere you need to be.
Events and Festivals: February 2026
February kicks off with the region settling into its rhythm after the summer holidays. Schools are back, which means attractions are quieter during the week, but weekends still buzz with visitors chasing the last of summer.
Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival (13-15 February)
This is one of Katoomba's most charming events, and it has been running for 17 years now. The Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival takes over venues along Katoomba Street for a full weekend of workshops, performances, open mic sessions, and jam circles. You do not need to play ukulele to enjoy it. The atmosphere is infectious and the performances range from surprisingly virtuosic to wonderfully silly.
The festival is based around Katoomba Street, which means you are walking distance from cafes, pubs, and both of our cottages. If you are staying with us over that weekend, you can wander down, catch a set or two, grab dinner at one of the restaurants along the strip, and walk home. No parking stress, no designated drivers.
Planetary Health Weekend (28 February)
Held at the Planetary Health Centre on Acacia Street in Katoomba, this is a newer event focused on sustainable living, wellness, and the connection between human health and environmental health. Expect workshops, talks, local food producers, and a community vibe that is very Blue Mountains. If you are into permaculture, regenerative agriculture, or simply want to learn about living more sustainably, this is worth building your trip around.
Weekend Markets
The Blue Mountains market scene runs year-round, but February is particularly good because the produce is at its peak. Look out for:
- Blackheath Community Market (first Sunday of the month) - local produce, handmade goods, and one of the best sausage sizzles in the mountains. A 15-minute drive from Katoomba.
- Katoomba Markets (check local listings for dates) - vintage finds, local art, and handmade jewellery along Katoomba Street.
- Springwood Growers Market (third Saturday of the month) - if you are driving up from Sydney, stop here on the way. Beautiful regional food.
- Leura Gourmet Market - Leura is just a 5-minute drive from Katoomba and the market is set in the gorgeous Leura Mall.
What to Do: Our February Top Picks
Chase the Waterfalls
This is the single biggest reason to visit the Blue Mountains in February. After summer rains, the waterfalls are at their most powerful. Wentworth Falls is the crown jewel, and in February the cascades are often running at full force. The walk from the conservation hut to the top of Wentworth Falls is flat, easy, and takes about 20 minutes. For something more adventurous, the National Pass track takes you behind the waterfall and along a clifftop ledge that is equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.
Other waterfalls worth chasing in February:
- Govetts Leap, Blackheath: the highest waterfall in the Blue Mountains. After rain, it is thunderous.
- Leura Cascades: family-friendly, with picnic areas and an easy walking track.
- Minnehaha Falls, Katoomba: a hidden gem that most visitors walk right past.
Swim at Jellybean Pool
About 30 minutes from Katoomba in the Glenbrook area, Jellybean Pool is a natural swimming hole in the Glenbrook Creek. On a hot February afternoon, it is one of the best spots in the entire region. The water is fresh, the rocks are perfect for sunbathing, and the setting is bushland beautiful. Get there early on weekends as it fills up by midday.
Walk the Grand Canyon Track
If you only do one bushwalk this trip, make it the Grand Canyon Track in Blackheath. This 6.3 kilometre loop drops you into a lush, fern-filled canyon that feels like you have stepped into another world entirely. In February, the moisture from summer storms makes the ferns impossibly green and the mossy walls of the canyon drip with water. It takes about 3 to 4 hours and is rated moderate. Wear shoes with good grip because the steps get slippery.
The Grand Canyon Track is even more magical after rain. The waterfalls inside the canyon flow harder and the ferns glisten. Just be prepared for slippery conditions and wear proper hiking shoes.
Scenic World
Yes, it is the "touristy" option. But there is a reason Scenic World is the most visited attraction in the Blue Mountains. The Scenic Railway is the steepest incline railway in the world, the Skyway gives you a glass-floor view across the valley, and the Scenic Walkway at the bottom takes you through ancient rainforest. In February, with fewer crowds than the school holidays, you can actually enjoy it without queueing for ages.
Eat and Drink
Katoomba's food scene has come a long way. Our current picks for February:
- The Yellow Deli for breakfast (love them or find them odd, the food is excellent)
- Hominy Bakery for sourdough and pastries
- Station Bar and Woodfired Pizza for a casual dinner
- Avalon Restaurant for something special
- Katoomba Falls Kiosk for coffee with a view after the falls walk
Why February Is Underrated
Here is the truth about the Blue Mountains tourism calendar. Everyone comes in autumn for the leaves (April and May). Everyone comes in winter for the fireplaces (June and July). Spring gets a bump from garden festivals. But February? February is quiet, green, warm during the day, cool at night, and full of waterfalls. The bushwalking conditions are ideal. The cafe wait times are shorter. The lookouts are not crowded.
If you are trying to find a weekend where you can genuinely relax and not feel like you are competing with every other Sydneysider for a parking spot at Echo Point, February is your month.
Book Your Stay
Both of our Katoomba cottages are available for February bookings. Each cottage is walking distance to Katoomba Street, has a full kitchen (so you can cook up your market haul), and is set up for couples or small families who want a proper Blue Mountains escape without the resort price tag.
Book direct for the best rate. No Airbnb fees, no middleman, just you and the mountains.
