Crackling fireplaces, steaming drinks, cheery decorations, rousing entertainment and even the possibility of snow-dusted landscapes, all just 90 minutes from Sydney by car, tour bus or train. Welcome to Yulefest in the Blue Mountains, writes Ellen Hill.
In the mid-19th century, the village of Hartley, just beyond the winding descent of Victoria Pass, was the most significant administrative centre west of the Blue Mountains, its stately Courthouse a symbol of its importance in the colonial judicial system. Perfectly preserved and looking like a ready-made film set, this quaint little collection of cottages and churches is today managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, with a self-guided tour and interpretive signage bringing history to life.
Give your health a kick start on one of these accessible bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. By Julie Miller
“Rising mists everywhere, giving place to glorious sunlight, with peeps of blue sky above…: an atmosphere light, cold, and exhilarating in the extreme; such is the scene that greets us as we fling up our window at The Carrington, one of the most comfortable and convenient hotels in all Australia.” (Sydney Mail & NSW Advertiser February 1891)
At Archer & Hobb, high tea is elevated to a fine dining experience. By Julie Miller.
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