As a Sydney-sider, I've been to the Blue Mountains… a lot.

As a kid, it feels like I schlepped there with my parents every second or third year. When I think "Blue Mountains", I think queuing to see the Three Sisters only to realise they're entirely blocked by fog, drinking lukewarm hot chocolate in chilly cafés and sampling stale lollies in the Leura lolly shop.

With all due respect to what is, undeniably, one of Australia's most beautiful destinations, as an adult, I considered the Blue Mountains to be a place I didn't need to go back to.

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Which is why, when I received a gift voucher for a night at the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains about 18 months ago, I was reluctant to use it. Look, I'm no snob — a holiday is a holiday — but I can't say the idea thrilled me.

I've got a shortlist (okay, it's a very long list) of places I want to take my boys while they're still little, and a weekend in the Blue Mountains wasn't on it.

I'm sure it's clear where I'm going with this, but as it transpires, we had an exceptional time. Such a good time, in fact, that I've been back twice — once for a childfree girls' weekend away and again with my husband and kids, this time, further into the mountains for a weekend at a family-friendly lodge.

The evidence speaks for itself: I'm officially a convert.

For anyone suffering under the impression that there's nothing left for them in the Blue Mountains, allow me to change your mind.

Where to stay in the Blue Mountains.

One of my reservations about the Hydro Majestic Hotel was an experience there in my early twenties: I stayed for a wedding and the room I stayed in on a university student budget was, shall we say, underwhelming. The hotel is massive, with a bunch of wings, some much more tired and tacky than others. Opt for one of the black-and-gold themed rooms with a valley view to avoid feeling like you're staying in a motel.

If you're in the mood to splurge, the Grand Majestic Valley View Suite is one of the most beautiful hotel rooms I've ever stayed in, complete with sweeping views out over the Megalong Valley and a marble bathroom with an absurdly massive bath.

BYO champagne and you've got yourself the perfect evening.

More recently, I spent a family weekend at The Lodge at Mount Kanimbla Retreats. For more privacy, or a bigger family holiday, this is an exceptional option.

Most Mountains accommodation is (fairly) set up for cosy winter days in front of the fire, which makes a private pool like the one at The Lodge rare for the region, but we had an absolute ball splashing around when we visited in summer.

Whether it's swimming weather or not, the outdoor bath is a winner for adults and kids. We toasted marshmallows, watched kangaroos and their joeys nibble the lawn at sunrise, visited the resident chickens, had a picnic overlooking the valley and enjoyed some rare grown-up time while the boys played in the Relaxation Room: a gorgeous, sun-lit room full of soft furnishings, rugs and pillows where my two very tactile toddlers tumbled around for hours each day.

The whole Lodge is set up so you don't feel you have to leave (complete with a jar of marshmallows for toasting — a huge relief if someone's mum happened to forget to stock up, and that person's two-year-old was about to lose his tiny mind).

The best part? We brought our dog along, which made it feel like a real family holiday. Without having to find a dogsitter or book a kennel, the weekend away felt so much more doable.

What to do in the Blue Mountains.

Did you know there are incredible wineries in the Megalong Valley? I didn't, until recently, and I have to say, it's one of the main reasons for my about-face on the destination.

I love a wine, I love a cheese platter, I love a good view: ergo, I love a winery, and I especially love a winery where my kids are welcome to run around, I can taste delicious cool-climate wine (mostly) uninterrupted and I can bring my dog.

I'm so impressed with Dryridge Estate I've now been there three times, and as such I can confirm it truly is perfect for all occasions.

It nails the girls-lunch vibe, it's a wonderful spot to park a pram with little kids, and it's a genuinely family-friendly spot for slightly older kids. The staff are delightful, the Ploughman's Platter is generous and delicious (my two-year-old liked it so much we started calling him The Ploughman), and the wine is so good I always left with a number of bottles.

Tick, tick, tick tick tick.

There are more bushwalks and lookouts across the Blue Mountains than you can poke a stick at — the only difficulty is working out which one to try, especially if you have kids in tow. I used this guide to Blue Mountain walks from Walk My World to decide what to do on each of my recent trips, which took the guesswork out. The first walk on that list, the Grand Canyon Trail, is also a personal favourite of mine — it's too steep to take kids, but if you're solo or with a group of adults, I strongly recommend it.

And look, despite throwing shade on the Leura Lolly Shop earlier, I actually had a great time there with my kids. Seeing it through their eyes made it feel magical again.

Where to eat in the Blue Mountains.

There's a very fancy high tea on offer at the Hydro Majestic if that's your vibe, but if you've got kids in tow, might I suggest scones at the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms instead: there's more space to run around and no obligation to stick your pinky out while you drink your tea.

If you're strolling down Leura Mall, be sure to try a sausage roll from Bakehouse on Wentworth, or stop in Lawson on your drive in or out of the Mountains for a pastry from Black Cockatoo Bakery.

How to get to the Blue Mountains.

The Blue Mountains is less than a 90-minute drive from Sydney, making it one of the most accessible weekend destinations, especially for little kids.

That's the length of one standard two-year-old nap (and just enough time for a four-year-old who swears he isn't tired to nod off too). The joy of arriving without any tears or tantrums can't be underestimated.

Feature Image: Supplied.