Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains Family

🌿 Families across the Blue Mountains can share guided outdoor adventures, join free early-years playgroups, borrow toys, find school-holiday care and connect teenagers with dedicated youth spaces. When extra help is needed, local and regional services also offer family support, developmental assessment, therapy, maternity care and practical assistance.

🌏 Outdoor discovery and school-holiday activities

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service – Blue Mountains kids’ and family activities

Explore Blue Mountains National Park through seasonal guided activities created for children and families. Programs may include Junior Ranger activities, spotlight tours and group workshops around Blackheath, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. Listed children’s events are designed for ages 5–12. Fees apply and bookings are required, so check the current program for dates, meeting places and participation conditions.

Botanic Gardens of Sydney – Wildlife Explorers at Mount Tomah

During selected school holidays, children can investigate wildlife and habitats at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. Guided activities include dip-netting and planting a native plant to take home. The program suits children aged 5–12, who must attend with an accompanying adult, and advance booking is required.

Belong Blue Mountains – KOOSH School Holidays Vacation Care

Primary-school-aged children can access vacation care in Katoomba during school holidays. KOOSH lists weekday holiday care from 7 am to 6 pm, with activities changing from one program to another. Families should check the current program, availability and enrolment requirements directly before making plans.

🧸 Play, toys and early connections

Belong Blue Mountains – Playgroups

Free playgroups in Katoomba, Lawson and Blaxland give children aged 0–5 and their parents or carers time for stories, play and craft, as well as opportunities to connect with others. Katoomba Playgroup is listed during school terms on Thursdays from 9.30 am to 11 am. Confirm current session arrangements and the location before attending.

Belong Blue Mountains – Community Toy Library

Families with children aged 0–5 can borrow toys and games through neighbourhood centres in Katoomba, Lawson and Blaxland. This can provide fresh play options without requiring families to purchase every item. Membership is required, and borrowing times vary, so contact the nearest participating centre to confirm how to join and when collections are available.

🎯 Youth spaces and family support

MYST – Mountains Youth Services Team

Young people aged 12–24 can visit youth centres in Katoomba and Springwood to socialise, take part in educational or recreational activities, have a snack or meal, and speak with youth workers. MYST provides early-intervention programs across the Blue Mountains and also runs events, school-holiday programs and outreach activities. Check current centre access and program arrangements before visiting.

Thrive Services

Based in Katoomba and Lithgow, this not-for-profit service works with families who have dependent children under 18. Its voluntary Targeted Early Intervention and Specialist Homelessness Service programs may include parenting support, home visits, group programs, case management, practical help and material aid. Families can ask which pathway fits their circumstances and what intake requirements apply.

Gateway Family Services – Essentials Emergency Relief

Eligible residents of the Blue Mountains and Penrith LGAs can seek practical assistance, including food hampers and assessed help with selected essential costs. Food assistance is available once a month, and no appointment is required for drop-in support. All assistance is distributed onsite at Blaxland; delivery is not available.

🧩 Child development and therapy

Child and Adolescent Development Unit, Blue Mountains Hospital

This public Katoomba service provides multidisciplinary developmental and diagnostic assessments for children and teenagers. Other offerings include paediatric physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, dietetics, a feeding clinic and Bushbabies early intervention and monitoring for babies and toddlers. Some services require referral, while developmental and diagnostic assessments require a comprehensive paediatrician referral. Booked telehealth is available, and the service is wheelchair accessible.

Connected Abilities

Children aged 0–16 can access early-childhood and therapeutic support through this registered NDIS provider. It works with children who have disability, developmental delay, communication concerns, sensory needs, behavioural concerns or participation difficulties, including children awaiting assessment. Support may be delivered at home, in early learning or school environments, or in community settings throughout the lower and upper Blue Mountains and Nepean region.

Gateway Family Services – Play & Art Therapy

Free play and art therapy is available to children living in the Blue Mountains and Penrith LGAs, with sessions held in Katoomba and Penrith. Children attend weekly over two school terms, and a parent or carer may self-refer. Availability can be limited when the program reaches capacity, making an early enquiry worthwhile.

Grow Curious Occupational Therapy

Community occupational therapy is offered for children aged 0–18 in their everyday environments, including home, preschool or school. The service covers upper Blue Mountains communities including Lawson, Bullaburra, Leura, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Mount Victoria.

Little Speechlings Speech Pathology

This paediatric practice provides mobile speech pathology for children and adolescents in the lower Blue Mountains and surrounding suburbs. As therapy is mobile rather than tied to a general local clinic listing, families should enquire about coverage for their suburb and the arrangements available for their child.

❤ Wellbeing, relationships and mental health

Nepean Blue Mountains Child, Youth and Family Mental Health Services

Public mental health support is available regionally for children, young people, families and carers across the Blue Mountains, Penrith, Hawkesbury and Lithgow LGAs. Child and Youth Mental Health Services supports people aged 5–17 experiencing moderate to severe or complex mental health problems. Appointments may take place at a centre, at home, at school or by telehealth. Referral access is through the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

Heal2Soul

Individual and family psychotherapy is available in Blaxland and by telehealth for people across the Blue Mountains area. The practice offers parent–infant and parent–child work, expressive and creative therapy, parenting groups and parent–infant groups. Families with mobility requirements should note that the Blaxland clinic has stairs and is not accessible-friendly.

🤰 Pregnancy, birth and early parenting

Koorana Maternity Unit, Blue Mountains Hospital

The public maternity unit in Katoomba provides antenatal, birthing and postnatal care. Its Know Your Midwife MAPS program includes antenatal and postnatal home visiting. Access requires a GP referral and maternity booking, and wheelchair access is available.

📌 Before you book or visit

• Check ages and supervision: age ranges differ, and some activities require a parent or accompanying adult to remain with the child.
• Confirm the current program: holiday activities, youth programs, playgroups and guided events can change by term or season.
• Ask about access: discuss wheelchair access, sensory needs, communication support and venue arrangements before attending.
• Clarify intake and funding: therapy and support services may involve referrals, eligibility assessment, NDIS funding, enrolment or waiting periods.
• Review costs and availability: some activities charge fees or have limited places, while others are free but may reach capacity.

✨ If you operate a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving the Blue Mountains, you are warmly invited to add your details or update an existing listing so local families can find current, practical information.

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