![]() ![]() The en suites in the bedrooms were deceptively small, thanks to a skylight and glass shower doors – deceptively because the clearance between the toilet and very hard and sharp-cornered wooden vanity was really too small and we had several bruised buttocks on the ‘standers’ and one head clunk on a ‘sitter’. ![]() The instruction below this was a request to water the garden plantings (there were many!) around the cottage on Wednesdays and Sundays – and would have done so as we all love our own gardens – but fortunately for us there were several heavy showers and watering with the hose unnecessary (which wasn’t where it said on the instruction so we never actually found it, oh we had some fun – someone organised a Hose Hunt, the winner getting to burn the day’s paper accumulation in the fireplace). Here we are ready for a week of Christmas eating and drinking indulgences, and guess what? “Please make sure to take ALL YOUR GARBAGE with you”!! We thanked the gastronomic gods on the spot that we had decided against seafood, can you imagine having to take week-old prawn and oyster shells with you? We solved the problem by daily putting all food scraps in the compost, taking all empties to recycling bins, burning all paper/cardboard in the fireplace (so popular there were arguments as to whose turn it was next!) and although it may not have been ‘politically correct’, disposed of the remaining garbage (which was surprisingly little with all the sorting) in public Council bins. ![]() The instruction on the kitchen cupboard, and repeated on the front door – but not in any of the owner or agent information – had a few jaws dropping. So you truly get the feeling of privacy and remoteness even though ‘town’ is within cooee distance, and with all mod cons including free WiFi and free satellite TV. Lyrebird Loft is situated just five minutes drive from Katoomba, and there’s a short bit of bush-bashing on a very bad and deeply potholed gravel private road (not mentioned in any of the info), which continues on to the access track – complete with grass in the middle – to the cottage. In spite of some of the negative aspects detailed below, we all thoroughly enjoyed Lyrebird cottage and would definitely recommend it for those prepared for rustic charm with emphasis on views/nature and willing to overlook lapses in cleanliness/comfort and general untidiness. (I’ll include a few pics, using tiny.url to compress the link, at the end of the various sections.)Ĭhecked dozens of accommodation options on many websites, and chose ‘Lyrebird Loft’ in Katoomba especially for the views and the ahem three, yes three bathrooms! Making sure there are plenty of toilets when the beer, wine and cocktails are flowing is a ‘comfort factor’ not to be denied, he he The cottage is a bit like a log cabin with later added extensions, so some weird dog-leg hallways (where the main fridge was located) and puzzling amateur architecture, but on the whole quite charming, as oh my, there is that gorgeous view from all aspects. Katoomba is a charming, unique small township buzzing with activity, side-walk cafes and very friendly locals currently known for it’s rather bohemian alternative-lifestylers, artists and tree-changers, there is little structural change from its earlier heyday as a cool retreat for wealthy Sydneysiders in the 1920-40s, and we loved it as well as the many small villages such as Leura, Wentworth Falls, Blackheath etc. Saw huge flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos flying over the valley several times a day, and at sunset with a celebratory glass in hand, it's so beautiful it gives goosebumps! Sunrise and sunsets were superb, the mountain air so energizing, the birdlife prolific and for lucky us - no bushfires, flies or wild storms. We’ve enjoyed Christmas family get-togethers in the snow, near the beach, on river banks, and this year’s choice of the Blue Mountains was voted tops (pun intended!) – largely due to the amazing view of the Megalong valley in the Bonnie Doon Falls area and distant hills near Pulpit Rock from the big verandah and all rooms of our rustic cottage on the outskirts of Katoomba. Our extended family converged on Katoomba from both Sydney and the Hunter to glory in the Blue Mountains for the Christmas week 2008. We've all visited the Blue Mountains at various times on day trips many, many years ago, but never in December or on an extended stay to soak it all in, so were really excited about a mountain Christmas getaway. Back now two months in ‘the flatlands’ after our wonderful Christmas week based in Katoomba, we are longing for that oxygen-charged, clear and invigorating Blue Mountains air, the breath-taking views and superb untouched mountain bushland.
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