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I have a confession to make: for years, I have been deeply disrespectful to the Blue Mountains. 

Not intentionally, obviously, but every time it came to planning a weekend away, I somehow looked straight past it (literally). 

I'd head to Orange for wine. Mudgee for more wine. Up the coast for a beach getaway. Sometimes, I would drive through the Blue Mountains on the way to somewhere else and think, 'This seems lovely' and then just… keep driving. 

Meanwhile, the Blue Mountains were patiently sitting there, less than two hours from my home, waiting for me to realise it was actually the perfect winter's weekend away. 

Thank goodness I have finally seen the light. 

Watch: Travel expert Paige Carmichael shares the tourist traps to avoid on your next trip. Post continues below.

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Do NOT Do This When Travelling

Or, perhaps more accurately, I have finally seen the appeal of spending an entire weekend rotating between a fireplace, a bath and a bakery. Bliss. 

At the heart of my recent trip was a stay at The Machinery Shed at Logan Brae Orchard near Blackheath, and I fear it may have ruined all future winter accommodation for me (in the best way possible).

You know when a place is so nice you start mentally calculating whether you could simply just… never leave? That was me approximately 10 minutes after arriving. 

I would have stolen this bed if I was able to. Image: Supplied.

Set in a working apple orchard, The Machinery Shed manages to feel luxurious without being remotely pretentious. It's warm, cosy and thoughtfully designed, with huge windows looking out onto the bush and valley and enough personal little touches that make you immediately exhale and relax the second you walk through the door. 

It also has an indoor and outdoor fireplace, which makes me wonder why more places don't embrace the concept of multiple fireplaces. 

Then there is the bath hidden in the bush. I need you to understand how serious I am about this bath. 

One of three baths on the property, the Treetop Bath is positioned amongst the trees, overlooking the bush, and is one of the most relaxing things I have ever experienced. 

THE most relaxing bath I've ever taken in my life. Image: Supplied.

I've been lucky enough to stay in some beautiful hotels. I've had ocean-view baths. I've soaked in some very expensive tubs. But nothing compares to sitting in warm water in the middle of the bush while absolutely nobody is asking you anything.

No emails. Not life admin. Just birds, trees and hot water.

The property also has a gorgeous sauna which looked absolutely incredible but which was, full disclosure, off limits to me as I am currently pregnant. But that did not stop me from admiring it from afar like a Victorian-era woman staring longingly out a window. 

The rest of the property is equally charming.

Guests have access to a kitchen garden stocked with herbs and produce, and there is a chicken coop where you can collect fresh eggs in the morning if the girls are laying. 

The aptly named Chicken Palace and Kitchen Garden. Image: Supplied.

Lottie quickly became my new best friend (obviously). Image: Supplied.

There is also Lottie, the orchard's resident Maremma Sheepdog. Every great country getaway needs an adorable animal mascot and Lottie understood the assignment perfectly. 

The orchard itself is worth exploring, too. Logan Brae is one of the oldest continually operating apple orchards in the Blue Mountains and you can wander through the rows of trees like you're in your very own Nancy Meyers movie. Plus, during apple season (February to June every year), the orchard shop is open on Saturdays and is stocked with apples, pies and fresh juice.

If the orchard shop isn't open, there is fresh apple juice available for purchase at the property gate. Image: Supplied.

One of the best things about staying at The Machinery Shed is that, despite feeling wonderfully secluded, it's only about a five-minute drive from Blackheath.

Blackheath is exactly the kind of mountain town you hope it will be. There are pubs with fireplaces, cosy cafés, antique stores and cute little shops scattered throughout the main street. I did, I admit, spend an irresponsible amount of time browsing the local bookstore (something which, I believe, every good holiday should involve). 

And of course, no trip to the Blue Mountains is complete without spending some time outdoors. 

There are approximately one million walking tracks in the Blue Mountains (that is not the official number, but it really does feel that way), so whether you want a gentle stroll or a full-day hike, there is no shortage of options. 

Given I am currently pregnant and moving at a glacial pace, my hiking ambitions were slightly more modest. We tackled part of the Cliff Top Walking Track, starting at Govetts Leap Lookout and heading towards Barrow Lookout before turning around.

The view from Govetts Leap Lookout is stunning. Image: Supplied.

Even this shorter version was spectacular. The views stretch across the Grose Valley, while the Bridal Veil Falls tumble dramatically down the cliff face. Barrow Lookout is perched right above the falls, which honestly felt like the sort of view people fly overseas to see (and they do). 

If you're feeling energetic, the full track is worth adding to your itinerary.

Another standout was Hargraves Lookout I am well aware that recommending a lookout in the Blue Mountains is a bit like saying you have to visit Bondi Beach if you ever go to Sydney. 

But trust me, this one is different.

Just a short drive from the accommodation, on an unpaved road, Hargraves Lookout overlooks the Megalong Valley and feels quieter and more peaceful than some of the region's better-known viewpoints. 

Hargraves Lookout is well worth a stop when you're in the area. Image: Supplied.

There were no crowds, no waiting for someone else's family photo shoot to finish (although we did witness a secluded proposal) and no fighting for a position at the railing. Just rolling valleys, dramatic escarpments and the sort of scenery that makes you stand there far longer than you intended. 

While I dropped by the spot just before driving back home to Sydney, it is also one of the best sunset spots in the region, and a particular favourite amongst amateur astronomers for the clear, unpolluted views of the night sky. 

Another unmissable spot? Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. 

As a woman who takes scones very seriously, bad ones are one of life's greatest disappointments. 

But, thankfully, these were excellent. 

The tearooms have become something of an institution, and it's not hard to see why. Find a sunny table outside or grab a picnic blanket and take your treats to the grass with you. 

Either way, order the scones. Trust me. 

I dream about these scones. Image: Supplied.

As for dinner, there are plenty of excellent restaurants, pubs and wineries throughout the Blue Mountains.

But honestly? We stayed in. 

The Machinery Shed has a fully equipped kitchen and there was something incredibly appealing about leaning fully into the cosy-cabin fantasy. We assembled what can only be described as a premium girl dinner. Cheese. Crackers. Olives. Wine for those who aren't pregnant. Various snacks we had collected throughout the day. 

We parked ourselves in front of the fire and called it a night. 

What I realised over the weekend is that the Blue Mountains don't need to try very hard. You can spend your days hiking through the national park, exploring villages and chasing waterfalls if you want to. Or, you can spend them reading books, soaking in baths and eating baked goods. 

Either way, you will leave feeling better than when you arrived. And for a destination sitting less than two hours from Sydney, that is pretty hard to beat. 

I can't believe it took me this long to stop and appreciate it. But now that I have, I suspect I'll be back the second the temperature drops again. 

Feature image: Supplied.