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Discover the lower Blue Mountains, the overlooked drive-by end of the region, packed with hidden gems only locals know.

Dozens of aged and disability care jobs are available in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains with leading care support organisation Wendy’s Home Care – close to home, with flexible hours and opportunities to link into training to help build a career. The company’s annual recruitment blitz emphasises life experience, character and attitude, not just qualifications, and targets those seeking meaningful work that helps their community yet also gives them an ideal work/home bal

Hillbilly Cider maker Shane McLaughlin tests his latest batch at the Hillbilly Cider Shed By Ellen Hill for Hillbilly Cider       Photos: David Hill Hillbillies at heart can escape the big smoke and experience nature for real at the newly opened Hillbilly Cider Shed in the heart of Bilpin apple country. Wend your way up the famed Bells Line of Rd and follow the comforting aroma of fermented apples into the Hillbilly Cider Shed to discover a hidden refuge of Prohibition-era sp

St Bernard’s Presbytery at Hartley Historic Site. By Ellen Hill for Hartley Historic Site            Photos: David Hill New upmarket accommodation at the gateway to the NSW Central West gives visitors the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Australia’s colonial past. St Bernard’s Presbytery and Old Trahlee properties at Hartley Historic Site will open for bookings from June. Managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) since 1972 under the NSW Office of Envi

The Sebel Hawkesbury will host two free music gigs during the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival in October By Ellen Hill for The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa Get into the blues and roots groove in stylish luxury when the only 4.5 star resort in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region hosts two free Sydney Blues and Roots Festival gigs during the weekend of October 23 to 25. James Bennett will perform at the Sebel Hawkesbury The tone will be set with fireworks by the lake at the front of Th

The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa is the only 4.5-star hotel in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region By Ellen Hill for The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa             Photos: David Hill It could be the tinkling water features dotted around the property. Maybe it’s the sweeping lawns of the golf course or the subtle fragrance from the day spa floating on the breeze. Location is part of the appeal It’s probably all that combined and then some which makes The Sebel Hawkesbury Resort & Spa

(l-r) Lithgow Living History members Robyn Burton, Vicki Hartley, Ian Rufus and Alexa Burton bring Hartley Historic Site to life. By Ellen Hill for Hartley Historic Site                                                  Photos: David Hill Explore one of the best examples of colonial history afresh when Hartley Historic Site holds its annual Back to Hartley family fair on Sunday, October 25. Be entertained with live music by Lithgow Folk Club; take a trike or pony ride; have a

Delishus … a taste of Spain in the Hawkesbury. By Ellen Hill for Delishus Tapas Bar & Restaurant                            Photos: David Hill Naming your restaurant Delishus sets high expectation but it is one which Richmond restauranteurs Jose and Sally Fernandez consistently exceed. Since opening Delishus Tapas Bar & Restaurant in the Hawkesbury in October 2009 with no restaurant experience, the couple has won the Foxtel I Love Food Award for Best Spanish Restaurant in NSW

Darleys Restaurant executive chef Lee Kwiez. Photo: David Hill, Deep Hill Media By Ellen Hill for Escarpment Group He was acknowledged by industry for his fine dining creations but for NSW Chef of the Year, Darleys Restaurant executive chef Lee Kwiez, “it’s all about the yum’’. His top chef gong was one of five major awards received by Escarpment Group in the Blue Mountains at the Tourism Accommodation Association (NSW) Awards of Excellence in July. Darleys Restaurant at the

Local and regional produce is served throughout Escarpment Group properties By Ellen Hill for Escarpment Group                                        Photos: David Hill Discerning foodies seeking to savour the flavour of crisp Blue Mountains air and earthy tones of the Central West will find it in every bite served at Escarpment Group properties. With few exceptions, food and wine served at the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Echoes Boutique Hotel & Restaurant

Autumn leaf floating on the surface of the Hawkesbury River at Hanna Park, North Richmond. By Ellen Hill                     Photos: David Hill (Continuing the story of the Hawkesbury River, we re-publish here an article that featured in the April-May 2009 edition of Blue Mountains Life magazine.) THE last tendrils of fog swirl up to meet the golden rays of a weak winter sun, mirrored on the still surface of the water. The occasional jumping fish makes a quiet “blip’’ noise.

The Smith Park picnic area becomes part of Pugh’s Lagoon on the Hawkesbury River floodplain during flood. By Ellen Hill                               Photos: David Hill (As NSW experiences the worst floods in decades, it is worth remembering that flood waters have been a regular feature of the Hawkesbury River for centuries. This feature article by the Deep Hill Media team appeared in the October/November 2010 edition of Blue Mountains Life magazine. It is republished here wi