The pulsing sound of cicadas. Fresh mountain air. A stroll down a bush track after a festive feast, and a sprinkling of real stars draped over eucalyptus trees in our World Heritage-listed landscape.
That’s what Christmas looks like here in the Blue. It’s how we see in the New Year too.
Blue Mountains Tourism president Jason Cronshaw says: ``Spending time with family is such a blessing after a busy year.
``It’s even better when you don’t have to prepare the feast or clean up afterwards.’’
Hotels, restaurants and attractions businesses throughout the region have prepared special meals, experiences and gifts. Read on to discover some of them.
Have you been to the Blue for Christmas? Have you done New Year’s Eve in the Mountains?
ACCOMMODATION & DINING PACKAGES
Equeva Group (Metropole Guesthouse, Echo Point Motel, Katoomba Town Centre Motel, Blue Mountains Heritage Motel) Christmas package: $599 twin share package includes 2 nights accommodation for 2 with hot breakfast daily, 3-course Christmas Eve dinner and 3-ourse Christmas Day lunch.
Booking code: XMAS2023
P: 02 4782 1266
W: equeva.com.au
Hotel Mountain Heritage, 6 Apex St, Katoomba: One of the original grand hotels of the region will host a six-course dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a visit from Santa and live festive entertainment. Bookings: https://tinyurl.com/mbkatsya.
P: 02 4782 2155
E: stay@mountainheritage.com.au
W: mountainheritage.com.au
Hotel Etico, 11 Montgomery St, Mt Victoria: Australia’s first social enterprise, not for profit yet fully functioning hotel that trains people with disability in the hospitality industry has gift vouchers for purchase towards accommodation, food and beverage. Tea towels featuring artwork by hotel trainee Joel O’Brien are available at the hotel and online, and the Two Good Co products that are used in guest rooms are also available (the company supports vulnerable women to build self-worth and break the cycle of disadvantage).
P: 0438 511 352
E: stay@hoteletico.com.au
W: hoteletico.com.au
Bootlegger Bar, 92 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba: Low `n slow, this speakeasy bar serves smoked meats (plenty of veg options also available), specialty cocktails and spirits, cool merch and live music every weekend across two floors and a secret rooftop beer garden. Vouchers make for ideal festive stocking stuffers.
P: 02 4782 6368
E: info@bootleggerbar.com.au
W: bootleggerbar.com.au
Dryridge Estate, 226 Aspinall Rd, Megalong Valley. Usually only open weekends, the winery will be open for five days across the festive period for tastings, local food and spectacular views of the Blue Mountains escarpment.
P: 0403 118 990
Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms vouchers. A traditional high tea with crustless sandwiches, cakes, biscuits and baby scones washed down with freshly brewed tea or coffee served by a waiter dressed in top hat and tails with a degree of pomp and circumstance. Up the stakes with a flute of bubbly and hot choices. Other vouchers are available for retail or tearoom purchases.
P: 02 4784 3117
W: bygonebeautys.com.au
ESCARPMENT GROUP
The collection of luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants will serve sumptuous meals throughout the festive season, with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day lunch and dinner, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and Day menus. Contact the following properties for specific information. Choose from formal dinners, casual lunches, sunset cocktails and high teas.
Darley’s Restaurant – Lilianfels Resort: The former home of sixth Chief Justice of NSW Sir Frederick Darley is now a multi award-winning two chef Hatted restaurant. Bookings: 02 4780 1200 or lilianfels.com.au/dining/darley-s-restaurant.
Wintergarden Restaurant – Hydro Majestic Hotel: The Chef Hatted restaurant overlooking the Megalong Valley will serve degustation and high tea. Bookings 02 4782 6885 or hydromajestic.com.au/dining/the-winter-garden.
Echoes Restaurant – Echoes Boutique Hotel: The Chef Hatted restaurant overlooking the Jamison Valley will serve three and five-course meals and has a bar. Bookings 02 4782 1966 or echoeshotel.com.au/dining/echoes-restaurant.
Lilianfels Resort: The only 5-star resort in the Blue Mountains offers casual breakfast, lunch, high tea meals as well as a bar. Bookings 02 4780 1200 or lilianfels.com.au/dining.
Boiler House Restaurant – Hydro Majestic Hotel: Two-course casual lunch showcasing fresh local seasonal produce is accompanied by views over the Megalong Valley. Bookings 02 4782 6885 or hydromajestic.com.au/dining/boiler-house-cafe.
Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Hawkesbury Valley Way, Windsor: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a degustation in Harvest Restaurant and views over the lakeside gardens.
P: 02 4577 4222
W: cphawkesburyvalley.com.au/hotel-events/nye-degustation-dinner/
Fairmont Resort, 1 Sublime Point Rd, Leura: The ultimate family-friendly event, watch the New Year roll in with entertainment for the whole family, including a roaming magician, face painting, fireworks live on the big screens, live music and unlimited access to a range of food stalls and non-alcoholic beverages.
P: 02 4785 0000
Bookings: https://fairmontresort.iwannaticket.com.au/event/nye-in-marquee-MzAwNDU
ACTIVITIES
Intro to Navigation. Give the gift of bush survival in the form of this two-day course created by bush safety expert Caro Ryan of Lotsafreshair. Details: https://climbingschool.com.au/courses/bushwalking/introduction-to-navigation/
Blue Mountains Adventure Company gift vouchers. What do you get someone who already has everything? Memories. Gift vouchers are available at numerous dollar-values.
P: 02 4782 1271
Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler Christmas cruises. Unique and hassle-free, the Belle has lunch and dinner experiences, public cruises and private charters available, and a fully licensed bar onboard.
P: 02 4733 1274
Bookings: nepeanbelle.com.au/christmas-parties
Guided creative experiences. Explore your creative side with Ladybird Design Creative and up to four of your friends in a small bush studio at Wentworth Falls (groups of up to 30 are held at any location). Activities include watercolour and acrylic Paint n Sip classes, silver jewellery and natural perfume. Details: https://www.ladybirddesigner.com/.
PRODUCTS
Out of the Blue 2324 locals guide. Uncover hidden gems of the Blue Mountains whatever your budget, with more than 300 businesses throughout the region listed. Easy reference summaries include accessible, kid and pet friendly; gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options; what's open when; and eats and drinks with a view. The book includes a range of special offers valued at over $650. Purchase: 14lovelst.com/outoftheblue.
Spa Sublime (Katoomba) vouchers. The gift of ``spa’’ is a gift of love to help a loved one spoil their senses and nurture their soul – for half an hour or a whole day; alone, with a partner or friends. Purchase: https://www.spasublime.com.au/gift-card-1
Blue Mountains Gin Company Christmas Spirit gin. Ditch the traditional heavy pudding and toast the festive season with ``Christmas pudding in a bottle’’ – gin macerated fruit mince, spices, muscat and port. Purchase: https://bluemountainsgincompany.com.au/.