Christmas comes but twice a year in the Blue Mountains

Ever wonder why we eat a hot baked dinner and heavy pudding on those Christmas Day scorchers? Isn't it better suited to Europe in winter? The people of the Blue Mountains have the answer. Celebrate Christmas in July! Whether you visit the Blue Mountains for the abseiling or antique hunting, in winter you can also experience the traditions of a European Christmas (aka Yulesfest). Lodges, hotels and restaurants boast turkey and trimmings on the menu, often served in front of a roaring log fire while the  mountain villages twinkle with fairy lights, decorated trees and if you're lucky, a light dusting of snow.

Katoomba lies 112 kilometres west of Sydney, via the M4 and the Great Western Highway, which snakes its way through the small mountain villages. Each offers a range of accommodation types, many with great Yulefest packages.

Once you've had your fill of turkey there's lots of ways to work it off. Aside from more 'sedate' activities such as bushwalking, horse riding and star-gazing, you can try abseiling, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking and mountaineering. If you plan to go four-wheel driving but are not experienced, try a tag-along tour. Run by private operators and the National Parks & Wildlife Service, they offer the security of assistance if something goes wrong.

For those after a more genteel Yulefest experience, there's plenty to satiate your appetite. The Norman Lindsay Gallery at Faulconbridge is Lindsays's former home and has a terrific collection of his  works. Further up, the Falls Gallery at Wentworth Falls is a two-minute walk from the Valley of the Waters, where a network of lookouts along the track offer dramatic views of escarpments, waterfalls and the Jamison Valley.

Leura is a must for anyone after a gourmet coffee and fine dining. It's also home to the Everglades Gardens, a National Trust garden created by master landscape gardener Paul Sorensen. Garden-lovers should note 25-26 September  for the 'Sorensen Stroll', a special tour of Everglades and two private gardens while October sees the  start of the Leura Gardens Festival.

Cliff Drive skirts along the cliff edge from the Leura to Katoomba, leading to the famous Three Sisters. The best view is from Echo Point, which is the starting point of many bushwalks, including the popular Giant Stairway. The track takes around three hours to complete descending 900 steps into the valley and if you're pooped you can take a cable car or the scenic railway back to the top.

Katoomba is great for shopping, selling everything from homewares to herbal potions. From there, continue west over the mountains via Blackheath, Mount Victoria and the historic village of Hartley. Leaving the highway at Hartley on the road signposted to Oberon and Jenolan Caves, wind through the pastures in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Take in the great valley views at Mount Blaxland and as you pass the hamlet of Hampton, join the Jenolan Caves Road. The road is steep and not for caravans but the scenery is spectacular.

Jenolan Caves has 280 known caves richly decorated with stunning limestone formations. There are regular tours of nine of the caves, as well as night-time candlelight and 'off the track' tours and longer adventure caving trips for groups.

The road out of Jenolan Caves to Oberon via Edith is just as awesome as the one in from Hartley, but less traffic heavy. From Oberon, cross over to Lithgow at the base of mountains. Surrounded by wilderness and with  many historic buildings in town, it's a popular spot for four-wheel driving.

To ascend the mountains, follow the more scenic, less trafficked Bells Line of Road, 10 kilometres east of Lithgow. This stretch of road, carves its way through  picturesque Mount Wilson and Mount Tomah Botanic Garden then winds its way through Bilpin's apple and stone-fruit orchards towards Kurrajong and Richmond and onto Sydney. Just in time to start getting ready for Christmas.

NRMA tip: Beware of 'black ice' or frost on the roads and check your heater/demister is working and wiper blades are in good condition.

For information on accommodation, accredited adventure and tour operators and local events, visit Blue Mountains Tourism or call them on 1300 653 408.