Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

174  NE W SOUTH W ALES AND A C T

Exploring the Blue Mountains peacocks roaming around the
grounds. Some other gardens
The Blue Mountains, reaching 1,100 m (3,600 ft) above sea in the area are opened to the
level at their highest point, at first made the early colonists public during the Leura Garden
virtual prisoners of the Sydney Cove area. Many settlers were Festival each October (see p44).
Visitors can get an overview
convinced that plains suitable for grazing and crops would be of the surrounding landscape
found beyond the mountains, but attempts to reach the by taking the Cliff Drive to
imagined pastures repeatedly failed. In 1813, however, three Katoomba. The lookout at
farmers, Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Sublime Point, at the end of
Charles Wentworth, set out on a well-planned mission, Sublime Point Road, also
following the ridge between the Grose and Cox rivers, and provides startling views
across the Jamison Valley.
emerged successfully on the western side of the mountains.
The construction of roads and a railway made the mountains
an increasingly attractive destination, and resorts and country
homes were soon established. In 1959, the Blue Mountains
National Park was gazetted, ensuring the preservation of the
large tracts of remaining wilderness.

E Norman Lindsay Gallery of his original studio, and a
and Museum peaceful garden set amid the
14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulcon­ mountain bushland.
bridge. Tel (02) 4751 1067. Open
10am–4pm daily. Closed 25 Dec. 8 Leura
& 7 ∑ normanlindsay.com.au n Echo Point, Katoomba. Tel 1300
Norman Lindsay, one of 653 408. ( first Sun of the month.
Australia’s most recognized This small town on the Great
artists, inspired considerable Western Highway, with its Scenic Skyway ride over the Blue Mountains
controversy during his lifetime European gardens and Art from Katoomba
with his sumptuous nudes and Deco architecture, recalls the
risqué novels. Born in 1879, he elegance of life in the 1920s. Its Katoomba
bought his mountain retreat in secluded, tree­lined main street n Echo Point, Katoomba.
1913 and set about producing is a magnet for fine art galleries, Tel 1300 653 408.
an enormous body of work, cafés, shops, up­market ∑ visitbluemountains.com.au
much of which reflects his restaurants and the Leuralla Katoomba is the bustling
rejection of the moral and Toy and Railway Museum. tourism centre of the Blue
sexual restraints of his era. Six km (3.5 miles) from Leura, Mountains and a good base
His beautifully preserved home Everglades House is an Art Deco from which to explore the
is now a gallery for his many fantasy of curves, balconies and mountains. However, it still
paintings, cartoons, mythological rose­pink walls. The Everglades manages to retain a veneer of its
garden sculptures and children’s gardens are considered classic gracious former self, when it first
books. There is a whole room examples of cool­climate design attracted wealthy Sydneysiders
devoted to The Magic Pudding, from the 1930s. They include a in need of mountain air during
a perennial favourite. There is shaded alpine garden, a grotto the 1870s. The Paragon Café,
also a re­creation of the interior pool, rhododendron stands and with its dark­wood panelling
and mirrored walls, is a reminder
of these glory days, as are the
imposing guesthouses with
their fresh air and beautiful
views across the Jamison Valley.
Within a few minutes’ drive of
the town are the region’s most
popular attractions. Echo Point
is home to a large information
centre and lookout, with views
across to the imposing bulk of
Mount Solitary and the most
famous of icons, the Three Sisters
(see pp172–3). A short walk leads
down to this striking rock
formation, while further on the
Picturesque tree-lined Main Street in Leura Giant Staircase – steps hewn out
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp483–4 and pp507–9