Like many Canberrans with a long weekend ahead we took the opportunity to hit the road and head for the mountains – the Blue Mountains to be exact.

Katoomba was our base for four day adventure. Katoomba means “coming together in many streams”, or “shiny falling water“ depending upon where you do your research. It’s been a long time since we were in this past of the world and we really shouldn’t have waited this long. We left Canberra a little later than we expected so arrived at the Three Sisters just as the sun was setting.

We stayed at the Palais Royale (https://www.palaisroyale.com.au) a 40 room boutique hotel with an olde world charm, a little bit glamorous and at one time apparently was “the place to stay”. Constructed in the 1890’s the room was clean and well appointed, the staff lovely but with the wild winds blowing the windows sure rattled ( but inside the heater worked really well).

It has been years since we were last here maybe 20 years and we really shouldn’t have waited so long. We arrived just as the sun was setting over the three sisters. Isn’t it extraordinary.

Katoomba has so much to offer great food, awesome coffee, walks for everyone, attractions close by and a fantastic Urban Art Trail (https://bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au). I unfortunately missed some of the visual arts that are peppered throughout this gorgeous little town (population of just over an estimated 8,000 in 2021) but here are some of them treasures I found in the “living lanes” and as part of the “street art walk”.

Saturday was spent walking and walking (and walking) through the Blue Mountains National Park taking in Echo Point, the Banksia Lookout, Lady Carrington Lookout and Honeymoon Point and it was all stunning. 

Now this photo might make you think that there was a stillness in the mountains… yep that was not the case. The wind was ferocious and while the temperature was a balmy 7 degrees the wind chill factor made it about -5 degrees celsius. Yes it was cold but absolutely worth it which meant we’ve that we walked for hours and just over 14 kilometres. Here are some of the glorious views.

On Sunday we travelled to Scenic World which I know sounds a bit kitch but again was pretty fab! As a well renowned scaredy-cat the idea of travelling on the steepest passenger train in the world, gliding between cliff tops at 270 metres in the highest cable car in Australia or descending 545 metres into the Jamison Valley in Australia’s biggest cable car had me shaking in my boots (previously used in Alaska yes it was that cold). I loved every minute, once I pulled myself together … these “discovery options” along with the scenic walkway were a great way of experiencing all that is this beautiful little part of the world. http://www.scenicworld..com.au/blue-mountains

The other aspect that made for a wonderful long weekend was the food and coffee. The highlights were Aunty Eds (http://www.aunty.eds.com) where we had a great meal (after walking for miles to watch Top Gun Maverick ( yes that was good as well 😂) and a yummy Hot Eddie’s cocktail (just like hot toddy but made with rum and maple syrup).

The Little Paris cafe for breakfast (http://www.littlePariscafe.com). This place did feel a little like you were sitting in a little cafe perhaps Cafe de Flore or Aux Folies on a Paris pavement..delicieuse 💋 ( the croissants were just right).

And another breakfast favourite was Frankly my dear coffee. The avocado smash and the smoked salmon bagels were so yummy as was the coffee. (http://franklymydearcoffee.com.au) 

Oh and the vintage shops….

Yes a wonderful long weekend with countless ways to help the local economy. Until next time Katoomba, I sincerely hope it’s not another twenty years before we visit again.