In a major move for tourism Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is beginning the process to welcome overnight guests for the first time, looking to create a unique visitor destination within a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area and one of Australia's most spectacular botanic garden settings.
From boutique eco-lodges and cabins to glamping experiences, tiny homes or entirely new concepts, Botanic Gardens of Sydney is seeking bold and innovative proposals that will encourage more visitors to stay longer, explore deeper and connect with nature in new ways.
Accommodation operators, tourism investors and others are being invited to create a unique accommodation experience with Expressions of Interest opening for potential accommodation opportunities across three precincts.
The three precincts include:
• Jungle Lodge Precinct: Building on the existing Jungle Lodge cabin and surrounding green space to create accommodation and complementary visitor facilities.
• Conservation Area: Multiple secluded locations offering immersive nature-based experiences within a tranquil bushland setting.
• Sunrise Area: A peaceful garden location well suited to innovative accommodation concepts that celebrate the natural landscape.
As nature-based travel continues to outpace every other tourism sector, this opportunity will provide rare access to accommodation in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area and add a landmark tourism experience to Bells Line of Road.
Botanic Gardens of Sydney is looking for creative submissions that balance commercial success with environmental sustainability, outstanding visitor experiences and the protection of the site's unique conservation and heritage values. Respondents are encouraged to pitch for one or more precincts, or to suggest alternative locations within the space available.
The accommodation opportunity forms part of a long-term vision to enhance visitor experiences at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah while making sure the ongoing sustainability and stewardship of this important botanic and cultural landscape.
Any future development will be expected to respect the Garden's conservation, heritage and environmental values.
A site briefing for interested proponents will be held at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah on October 27 2026, providing an opportunity to explore the locations firsthand and gain insight into the vision for the site.
Expressions of interest are now open and will close on November 20, 2026. For more information visit: https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/eoi-accommodation-opportunity-mount-tomah.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is renowned for its natural beauty, cool-climate landscapes and panoramic views. The Garden currently welcomes over 220,000 visitors each year.
The Blue Mountains is already one of NSW’s most visited tourism destinations, attracting around 2.6 million visitors and generating approximately $1.2 billion in annual visitor expenditure.
Tourism within the area is expected to grow with the Western Sydney International Airport better connecting the region to the world.
Within easy reach of Sydney, the opportunity presents significant potential to attract overnight visitors, domestic travellers and international tourists while strengthening the Blue Mountains' visitor economy and creating new ways to experience this unique region.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity, which will enable people to stay in Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah overnight for the first time," Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said.
“I look forward to seeing the array of creative submissions which match this unique opportunity to create a new visitor experience within a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area and one of Australia's most spectacular botanic garden settings.
“This is another example of the Minns Labor Government working to showcase and enhance NSW’s great open spaces.”
