the blue mountains

the blue mountains

• 27 Jun 2021

I've just been on holidays for the past 3 weeks and I managed to get away before Sydney went into a 2 week lock-down. First destination was Brisbane to spend some time with my Dad, then back home for a day to water the plants and check the mail before driving to the Blue Mountains.

I left Sydney early and drove straight to Blackheath to do a walk to Porter's Pass, a walk I'd not done before. It was 4°C when I left the car and I have no idea of the temperature by the time I reached the Pass but it was cold.

It was a lovely walk with lots of flowers and birds flying overhead. It had recently snowed so the walk was a bit muddy and my shoes and socks were soaked by the end of the walk.

It was a really hilly track and getting down to this waterfall required a jump as my legs were too short to use the steps.

To my surprise I found the wattle was already in bloom.

When my legs went wibbly wobbly, I took that as a sign to turn tail and return to the car and this view. I'd love to go back and do the walk in full.

I drove to my accommodation via Evan's Lookout to admire the view.

The scenery is just spectacular.

I stayed at Silvermere Guesthouse at Wentworth Falls. This was my third stay as it's such a lovely place and the generous breakfast kept me fueled until dinner time.

I watched the sun go down behind these trees.

Silvermere has a lovely garden and the camellias were in bloom.

The next day I drove to Leura to roam around the Everglades House and Gardens.

I've visited the gardens many time but never in winter.

The magnificent view of the Jamison Valley from the gardens.

I spent a few hours wandering around the Paul Sorensen designed garden.

The garden combines both European and native Australian plantings.

The cascades

and the grotto pool.

While I was in Leura I wanted to do the Cascades walk but discovered the walk closed due to a landslip. Instead I went to the Gordon Falls Lookout and discovered there was a short walk nearby to the Lyrebird Dell.

Off I went to locate the Lyrebird Dell which was just lovely. Birdsong filled the air; the trail was green and verdant and best of all I had the whole walk to myself.

It's definitely worth a visit.

The next day I headed south to Orange so I'll see you all again soon with some more pictures from my mini break in New South Wales. 

Bye for now,

Jillian