17 minute read
Other exciting explorations
(top) Take a ride at Scenic World (above) National Parks Heritage Centre, Blackheath (below) Vineyard at beautiful Dryridge Estate, Megalong Valley (bottom) Hartley Historic Village The vast range of ecological, cultural, historical and natural attractions located throughout the Blue Mountains often takes visitors by surprise – people come for the natural wonders but leave having experienced so much more. Stop at any village and you’ll see signs leading to walking tracks, lookout points, waterfalls, glorious gardens, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, great shopping, excellent eating and entertainment. Here are just a few of the top local attractions on offer.
The Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge allows you to step inside the former home of the renowned artist, cartoonist and author, who died in 1969. This is where Mr Lindsay created his classic and beloved children’s book, The Magic Pudding. Now open as a gallery and run by the National Trust (NSW), the sandstone cottage displays the artist’s oil paintings, watercolours, etchings, ship models and sculptures, along with characters from The Magic Pudding. The property includes a gift shop, landscaped grounds, studio, separate holiday accommodation for a couple and the cafe. www.normanlindsay.com.au
A visit to the Wollemi Gems shop in Katoomba is highly recommended if you like gemstones of any kind. The owner, Denys Joannes, began working with stones about 30 years ago. At first, he learned the basic skills of the lapidary art from experienced people and has perfected his own style over the years. It was during a trip around Australia that he first saw the striking Zebra Stone in the Kimberley region and decided then that he wanted to work with it back in Sydney. This was the humble beginning of a hobby that eventually turned into a passionate career. Travelling overseas then broadened Denys’ knowledge of stones and he was able to acquire rare and unusual materials that he could work with or that would become collectables. Working with opals is a delight to him, exposing and transforming a rough piece of stone into a wearable piece of jewellery. He also works with a large number of Australian semi-precious stones, some of which remain unnamed, since new stones are discovered frequently. You will be amazed at the variety of stones, specimens and jewellery available at Wollemi Gems. There are also fossils and ancient prehistoric stone tools, as well as display specimens that will astound you. Located at 51 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, www.wollemigems.com.au
To get a clear picture of the vastness and great natural beauty of this World Heritage region, treat yourself to a Scenic World experience. The ultimate Blue Mountains sightseeing adventure. Here you can descend into the ancient Jamison Valley by cableway, explore Jurassic rainforest along the longest boardwalk in the Southern Hemisphere or glide between cliff tops in the glassfloored skyway, which is suspended a heart-stopping 270 metres in the air. It’s the perfect way to enjoy panoramic views of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. www.scenicworld.com.au
Art and culture aficionados won’t want to miss the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. Showcasing innovative and diverse cultural programs, the Centre incorporates the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery and the World Heritage Interpretive Centre – an educational hub that invites visitors to learn about the distinctive environment, history and culture of the Blue Mountains region. Covering 600 square metres, this is one of the leading regional art galleries in Australia. www.bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au
Inspired by their glorious surrounds, the significant number of artists who call the Blue Mountains home are diversely talented and strongly supported by local galleries and boutiques. The region is a hub for a number of award-winning painters, sculptors, potters, photographers and illustrators, many of whom open their studios to the public. As a starting point, follow the Blue Mountains Art Trail. artstrail.org.au/arts-trail.php), which lists upcoming exhibitions and art events.
The Blue Mountains is famed for its natural beauty and bushwalking. The BM Heritage Centre at the end of the built area on Govetts Leap Road Blackheath, just before the spectacular lookout is a good place to check our before setting out on your walk. The knowledgable staff can answer all your walking and locational questions and there is also a well stocked souvenir and outdoor shop and a gallery featuring a new exhibition each month.
A spectacular detour while at Blackheath is the Megalong Valley. The ten minute drive down into the valley is outstanding and the valley is beautiful with a good rural atmosphere. With farms, horse riding, tea rooms and accommodation it is a very interesting corner of the Blue Mountains. Dryridge Estate is the only winery in the mountains. Featuring arguably the most expansive views of any cellar door in the country, you can also taste some very delicious wines and even enjoy a cheese plate with your tasting while sitting comfortably overlooking the panoramic view.
If you’re heading towards the Central West, be sure to stop at historic Hartley, a beautifully preserved village set into the western edge of the Blue Mountains. Step back in time and wander amongst the quaint sandstone buildings, including Hartley Courthouse. Designed by colonial architect Mortimer Lewis in the Grecian Revival style, the solidly constructed courthouse is still largely intact. A self-guided audio tour is available to hear some of the stories from the court’s past. Close by is St Bernard’s Church, a stunning example of colonial elegance crafted from pale sandstone. Also call by Kew-Y-Ahn Art Gallery to see work by Aboriginal artists, jewellers, designers and photographers. Behind this gallery is the Talisman Gallery, a mecca for fans of handcrafted metal art. Often you will see metal artist Ron at the forge or engaged in other creative work. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/hartley-historic-site.
Immediately beyond Old Hartley Village you’ll see signs for the Jenolan Caves turnoff. Comprising some of the country’s largest and most spectacular limestone caves, this popular tourist destination is nestled in Blue Mountains Heritage wilderness, near Oberon. There are 9 show caves open to the public every day of the year, with dramatic lighting, underground rivers and impressive crystal formations guaranteeing a magical experience. For those wanting to extend their enjoyment and explore more than one or two of the caves, accommodation is available in the nearby Jenolan Caravan Park (Oberon) or Jenolan Caves House. Daily tours run from Katoomba and Sydney. www.jenolancaves.org.au
In 1931, The Railways Department agreed to supply bulk electricity to the Blue Mountains Shire Council from their power station at Lithgow. Mr Albert Bruce, a railway surveyor selected the route for the transmission line which took a short-cut across country between Blackheath and Lawson saving 6.5 kms off the distance.
A walking track was constructed in proximity to the transmission line to allow access for maintenance workers. The Blue Mountains Council and Railway Department then came up with the idea of publicising the track as a new scenic attraction. The track was opened in 1931 (and named after Mr Bruce) and became the longest walking track ever constructed in the Blue Mountains with a length of twenty six kilometres.
The walk leads through a succession of mountain brooks, fern gullies and prominent peaks commanding extensive panoramic views. Over the whole region is a dense growth of native flowering shrubs which in season present a wealth of colour and fragrant air.
Maintenance of the track ceased with the onset of WWll and the track was subsequently forgotten. Most of the track later became part of the Blue Mountains National Park. Two sections of the track however were severed. The first glen at the start of the walk on the Lawson end somehow became private property and at the Blackheath end Lake Greaves, a town water supply project cut both the Grand Canyon walk (a permanent detour being created) and a section of Bruce’s Walk was submerged without re-routing.
In the 1970s a local retired surveyor, Dick Rushton found a copy of a book produced for the original track opening and over the next several years set about trying to find parts of the walk. He did manage to find most of the major landmarks along the track and connected them with a blazed negotiable line. In 1983 he made a set of notes on how to find parts of the Walk between Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls and concluded, “the main attraction of this walk is the peace and tranquility of the area and knowledge that you will not come across any wanton destruction or man made litter to mar the surrounding bushland”.
Local bushwalking enthusiast, historian and author Jim Smith and friend Wilf Hilder made the re-opening of Bruce’s Walk their goal. In admiration for Dick’s work they tried to find all the segments of the original track which he had been unable to find. Together with ten helpers they set out through extremely thick vegetation from January to May 1986 by which time the track was re-established from Bullaburra to Wentworth Falls. Along the way many historic artefacts were found including original seats and picnic tables in shelter caves, some fireplaces, staircases, steel ladders and lookouts with railings. Bushfires had taken the timber bridges which originally forded the streams.
The Walk was officially re-opened on 24 May 1986. Unlike the support of relevant authorities to the 1931 establishment of the track, historic documents point to a total lack of support by Council and even some antagonism by National Parks to the extraordinary and strenuous efforts to re-open the track by Jim Smith and his team in 1986. Our gratitude to these wonderful people for their huge effort and amazing persistence to overcome not just the resistance of authorities but more particularly the rigours demanded by the rugged terrain of this region.
Just two days short of thirty five years since the re-opening, my bushwalking and photography companion Denys Joannes and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of trekking along Bruce’s Walk. The day was sunny and air spring crisp, the walk extremely steep a lot of the way with every step along the way rewarded by the wonder and beauty of this environment.
Bruce’s Walk is accessed at the end of Lawson View Parade Wentworth Falls by firstly following the power lines then turning off the access track to the left where the descent begins. The track is well marked by white indicators on trees from this point. Starting from the Bullaburra end, at the end of Booth Road turn left at the power lines and again follow the white tree markers. From the top of each hill where you will find yourself under the power lines there is a clear view to the top of the next hill where each time you will emerge out of the bush under the power lines. You will only encounter the power lines and their service tracks at the top of each hill, the rest of the walk is sylvan bush bliss. Our thanks to the dedication, inspiration and generosity of Jim Smith for sharing his work of so long ago, his historic documents and enthusiasm which set us off on a most fabulous afternoon trek yesterday. My thanks also to Denys Joannes for permitting the use of the accompanying images from our walk.
(above) This Angophora has sculpted a heart-shaped hole in the trunk (below) The creek through Podgers Glen, There are two other glens on the walk
This remarkable and unique photo of ‘Her Majesty Queen of the Bees’ was captured by Wentworth Falls resident Denys Joannes. Denys is a man of many and varied interests including gems and lapidary around which he has built a successful business in Katoomba, Wollemi Gems. In the image above the queen is at centre surrounded by her attendees and the eggs are underneath. We hope you enjoy.
In addition to this passion, Denys is a keen bushwalker, inspired photographer and keen apiarist. Denys tends a number of hives on his property which adjoins the National Park.
Denys began keeping bees 15 years ago, and learned the hard way, losing all his bees to disease twice but he never gave up. He is happy to help by contributing to the pollinisation of the forest as well as collecting a delicious honey, extracted using traditional methods. The honey has a rich, unique taste and a number of customers will even travel from Sydney to buy it. It is available at Denys’ shop, Wollemi Gems, 51 Katoomba St, Katoomba.
(above) Bees creating honeycomb hive (below) A bee collecting pollen to take back to the hive
A beautiful butterfly (right)
This species of butterfly (Graphium macleayanus of family papilionidae and tribe leptocircini) is found in forest edge habitats including rainforest clearings and glades, deciduous woodland, parks and gardens. In tropical Queensland it is primarily a mountain butterfly, but in New South Wales and Tasmania it can be found commonly down to sea level. The genus Graphium is widespread in the Old World, with 35 species in the Afrotropical region, 14 in the Oriental region, 6 in the Holarctic ( south & west China ) and 20 in the Australian region.
Looking at the photo (below) of this beautiful clock, it is hard to imagine the appalling condition in which it arrived in Denys’ hands.
After a complete overhaul of the mechanism an entire day was spent polishing, repairing and re-assembling the case. The result of these efforts is this exquisite one hundred and twenty year old French masterpiece of clock making.
This restoration was achieved by Katoomba clock repairer and restorer, Denys Joannes who can be found at his Wollemi Gems shop at 51 Katoomba Street, Katoomba. Watch batteries are also replaced on the spot.
Have you ever wondered about the story of a village? The people, the places and events that brought us to today? Join Mountains Tales on an easy walk through the Story of Leura. Mountains Tales is a local Blue Mountains business, your guide is a Leura historian who has a strong gift for storytelling, and a laugh along the way. Sue has a passion for Leura that is infectious.
Leura is one of the last Blue Mountains villages to develop on the land of the Gundungarra and Durug peoples. Leura’s European story begins in 1878 with a land grant and ends with the beautiful Federation village we all enjoy today.
Our 2-hour walk begins at Leura Railway Station entrance, and at an easy pace takes visitors to many wonderful sights of the urban centre of the village. Who developed Leura? Why is it so different to other Mountains villages? And who were the people along the way that form part of Leura’s story. Hear the story of some Leura’s residents from our war heroes, our humble postman and the world-famous magicians. The people who have passed through Leura, from the Titanic survivor to the President of the United Nations to Queen Elizabeth II, and even the Olympic Torch Relay. After the tour you may wish to enjoy a meal in one of Leura’s wonderful cafes or restaurants.
Group sizes are limited to 10. Adults $40. 12-17 years $20. Children under 12 are free. Discount price for private group bookings – please call to arrange. Morning (10.30) and afternoon (2.30) departures daily. To book call or email Sue on 0410 600 224 mountainstales@gmail.com Our booking tool is https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/mountains-tales-the-leura-story-tickets-133537071977 Opening on the first weekend in December is this new garden Centre at the Megalong Street (no. 58) Katoomba Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation outlet. Beautifully landscaped and well stocked with a huge variety of garden supplies from plants, pots, furniture, garden decor and so much more.
Items are keenly priced and an audited 83% of of all funds raised goes to the cause of researching a cure for childhood cancer. New range of pots and statures arriving every fortnight. See page 25 for more details.
From resorts, guest houses, hotels, motels, B&Bs, self-contained cottages and holiday parks, there is a huge range of accommodation on offer across the Blue Mountains to suit every taste and budget.
For those seeking high-end luxury accommodation, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa at Katoomba is the place to go. An elegant three-storey hotel focusing on leisure travel and small to medium-size corporate conferences, Lilianfels is a renowned haven of relaxation and indulgence. www.lilianfels.com.au
If a romantic setting is what you’re seeking, look no further than Echoes Boutique Hotel with fabulous views at the edge of the Jamison Valley. There are twelve rooms each enjoying the expansive vista and all the other comforts and facilities you’d expect in a quality boutique establishment including the fine dining experience of Jamisons Restaurant with it’s view and al fresco dining deck. www.echoes.com.au
If it’s self-contained accommodation you want for your Blue Mountains getaway, Blue Mountains Escapes are the people to help you find the perfect property. Whether you are looking for a quiet weekend away or an action packed break with family or friends, Blue Mountains Escapes can help find you the perfect place to stay and caters for a wide range of budgets. Visit our website to check accurate availability and make a booking, otherwise give us a call to speak to our friendly staff On (02) 4787-8231.
Self contained holiday accommodation in the Upper Blue Mountains Blackheath - Katoomba - Medlow Bath Mount Victoria - Hartley HOLIDAY RENTALS
Whether you are looking for a quiet weekend away or an action packed break with family or friends, Blue Mountains Escapes can help find you the perfect place to stay and caters for a wide range of budgets. Visit our website to check accurate availability and make a booking, otherwise give us a call to speak to our friendly staff On (02) 4787-8231.
BOOK NOW USING LIVE CALENDARS! (02) 4787 8231 CEDAR LODGE CABINS
Escape to the beautiful Blue Mountains and stay in one of our cosy self contained cabins, with electric log fires. We have studio and family cabins to suit your needs, or we have romantic spa cabins for your special getaway. Our Kookaburra Room is a comfortable large guest lounge and games room available for the use of all guests and can also be used for family reunions and small functions or workshops. Wonderful relaxation massages are also available by appointment in our onsite massage room.
Your next Blue Mountains Escape
Set in extensive gardens where nature and wildlife are to be enjoyed, this quiet peaceful haven at the top of the mountains in Mount Victoria is the self-contained accommodation of Cedar Lodge Cabins.
All the cabins have their own bathroom, kitchen, reverse cycle air conditioning, electric log fire, lcd TV, dvd/video player and all linen is supplied. Ideal for self catering family reunions, art workshops, conferences and birthday parties, and central to all the major attractions, lookouts and bushwalks in the upper mountains, Cedar Lodge Cabins is your ideal Blue Mountains Escape.
Watch the wildlife while relaxing on your verandah or rejuvenate with a wonderful relaxing massage at the end of a day of exploring. There are double studio style cabins sleeping up to four, relaxing and romantic studio spa cabins and cosy family cabins sleeping up to seven. Cedar Lodge Cabins are located at 40-48 Great Western Highway Mount Victoria. Ph: 02 4787 1256. www.cedarlodgecabins.com cedarlodgecabins@bigpond.com
