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.The mid-Winter festival began in 1980 with a small group of Irish visitors relaxing in front of a fire at Mountain Heritage Hotel (formerly The California) in Katoomba. They glanced out the frosted window, saw snowflakes dancing on the wind and thought of home.

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.For a small fee, you can also gain access to the Courthouse and St Bernard’s Church, with the history of the settlement and the story of the convicts held in the cells told through audio-visual presentations and a cool hologram experience.

by Louise WallaceIf nature, world class artworks and stunning landscapes are what you crave, Sculpture at Scenic World is the art exhibition for you.

Give your health a kick start on one of these accessible bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. By Julie MillerIn the 1920s, a Russian biochemist discovered that trees emit phytoncides, airborne anti-microbial substances that not only help the plant fight off disease, but also have a beneficial effect on human immune systems. In the 1980s, the Japanese adapted these findings into a practice called shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, a preventative health practice that improves wellbeing and reduces stress by immersing your senses in nature.

“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)As true today as it was in 1891, the Carrington has proudly promoted itself as centrally located in the healthiest location in NSW. The benefits of the invigorating mountain air have been praised by writers, journalists and visitors ever since the hotel opened in 1883.

At Archer & Hobb, high tea is elevated to a fine dining experience. By Julie Miller.  The ritual of High Tea is a time-honoured tradition in the Blue Mountains, with the indulgent brunch activity as much a part of our landscape as dramatic cliffs and misty valleys.