Only two hours out of Sydney by train, the Blue Mountains make for a great escape from the metropolis. I love the country town of Katoomba.  They celebrate Christmas on 25th August as it’s colder then than December (southern hemisphere).  But best of all are the walking (or “tramping” as they like to say in Aus) trails.  You walk through lush forest in often temperate weather - trails stretch on for tens of kilometres.

The hostel I stayed in was equipped with pressure relieving mattresses which really helped me get a good night’s sleep. 

If you’re going to Sydney, you must make the Blue Mountains a part of your trip too.