Blue Mountains Stories

For over thirty years, Geoff White has quietly shaped one of the Blue Mountains’ most enduring creative spaces. What began as a shared dream with his brothers has evolved into Lost Bear Gallery, a pillar of Katoomba’s cultural life and a must-visit for art lovers.

Echo Point has long delivered the postcard moment - the Three Sisters rising from the vast sweep of the Jamison Valley, blue haze drifting across sandstone cliffs. It’s one of Australia’s most photographed lookouts, and for good reason.

Each year, as the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky and the longest night of the year settles over the Blue Mountains, Katoomba transforms. Streets fill with creative arts and music, cloaked figures move through the mist, and a sense of ancient ritual blends seamlessly with modern creativity. This is the Winter Magic Festival, held on June 20 this year - the winter solstice - and it is one of Australia’s most distinctive cultural events.

by Keira BlackwellImage: Athithan Vignakaran

by Brooke Nolan

What was once the domain of a few hardy souls has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Trail running, and running trail ‘ultras’, has leapt from the fringes of sport to mainstream adventure. Across the globe, 15 million people call themselves trail runners, and more than 25,000 events take place every year. And right here in the Blue Mountains, the sport has found one of its most iconic homes.