Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 4 . NEW SOUTH WALES
287 Bathurst Rd., Katoomba. & 02/4782 4026. Fax 02/4782 1128. www.triselies.com.au. Reservations recommended.
Main courses A$17–A$26 (US$11–US$17). AE, DC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 5pm–midnight; Fri–Sat
5pm–3am.
LEURA
107km (66 miles) W of Sydney; 3km (2 miles) W of Katoomba
The fashionable capital of the Blue Mountains, Leura is known for its gardens, its
pretty old buildings (many of them holiday homes for Sydneysiders), and its cafes
and restaurants. The National Trust has classified Leura’s main street as an urban
conservation area. Just outside Leura is the Sublime Point Lookout, which has
spectacular views of the Three Sisters in Katoomba. From the southern end of
Leura Mall, a cliff drive takes you all the way back to Echo Point in Katoomba;
along the way you’ll get some spectacular views across the Jamison Valley.
WENTWORTH FALLS
103km (64 miles) from Sydney; 7km (4 1 ⁄2 miles) from Katoomba
This pretty little town has numerous crafts and antiques shops, but the area is
principally known for its 281m (922-ft.) waterfall, situated in Falls Reserve. On
the far side of the falls is the National Pass Walk—one of the best in the Blue
Mountains. It’s cut into a cliff face with overhanging rock faces on one side and
sheer drops on the other. The views over the Jamison Valley are spectacular. The
track takes you down to the base of the falls to the Valley of the Waters. Climbing
up out of the valley is quite a bit more difficult, but just as rewarding.
A NICE SPOT FOR LUNCH
Conservation Hut Café CAFE This pleasant cafe is in the national park
itself on top of a cliff overlooking the Jamison Valley. It’s a good place for a bit
of lunch on the balcony if you’re famished after the Valley of the Waters walk,
which leaves from outside. It serves the usual cafe fare—burgers, salads, sandwiches,
and pastas. There are vegetarian options, too. There’s a nice log fire
inside in winter.
At the end of Fletcher St., Wentworth Falls. & 02/4757 3827. Menu items A$6–A$15 (US$3.90–US$9.75).
AE, MC, V. Daily 9am–5pm.
MEDLOW BATH
150km (93 miles) W of Sydney; 6km (3 3 ⁄4 miles) E of Katoomba
In between Katoomba and Blackheath, Medlow Bath is a cozy place, with its
own railway station, a secondhand bookstore, and a few properties hidden
between the trees. Its one claim to fame is the Hydro Majestic Hotel (& 02/
4788 1002), a must-do stop for any visitor to the Blue Mountains. The historic
Hydro Majestic has fabulous views over the Megalong Valley; the best time to
appreciate the views is at sunset with a drink on the terrace. Otherwise, it sells
Devonshire tea all day, and plenty of cakes, snacks, coffee, and tea.
BLACKHEATH
114km (71 miles) W of Sydney; 14km (8 3 ⁄4 miles) W of Katoomba
Blackheath is the highest town in the Blue Mountains at 1,049m (3,441 ft.).
The Three Brothers at Blackheath are not as big or as famous as the Three Sisters
in Katoomba, but you can climb two of them for fabulous views. Or you
could try the Cliff Walk from Evans Lookout to Govetts Leap (named after a
surveyor who mapped the region in the 1830s), where there are magnificent
views over the Grose Valley and Bridal Veil Falls. The 1 1 ⁄2-hour tramp passes