Blue Mountains retreat, accommodation in Katoomba

This Blue Mountains retreat is a restored Old Writer's Retreat, offering elegant and spacious self-contained accommodation for 2-7 people. Ideal for couples/groups/executive retreats this atmospheric, romantic mountain lodge has beautiful timber features throughout and is set in over an acre of old terraced escarpment garden, which leads down to Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Our beautiful oak-paneled lounge room with unusual beamed ceiling, conjures up another era, when life was a bit slower and there was time to sit by the fire reading a good book or just conversing with family and friends over tea/coffee and home-baked treats.


Beyond that, the garden courtyard (with lazy steamer chairs) and then winding steps leading you down, down into our beautiful garden with secret corners to explore. During your stay perhaps you'll find a spot for quiet contemplation, or be tempted to wander down further, further, onto Prince Henry Cliff Walk for invigorating bushwalks and breathtaking views from the many lookouts.

Alternatively, you may choose to wander over to the escarpment verandah, for a spot of Tai Chi / Yoga, sunset picnic or exquisite catered meal during your stay. This verandah is also ideal for small group celebrations such as re-affirming wedding vows, baby namings, birthdays and other intimate gatherings.

Our bedrooms with luxurious, environmentally-superior alpaca wool quilts are bathed in soft, sleep-inducing colours and are themed on Australian wildflowers. Quality linen and electric blankets are on all beds.

The fully-equipped kitchen enables you to cook as much or as little as you like. Don't forget you can walk to quality restaurants such as Solitary, The Rooster French Restaurant and the Swiss Cottage just nearby. We also supply a variety of teas, coffees (including ground coffee for perfect plunger coffee), herbal teas, and a generous breakfast basket that looks like a bountiful harvest!

Naturally, the bread supplied only comes from quality local small bakers – Bakehouse on Wentworth or Hominy Katoomba and the eggs are free-range. Our complimentary home-baked treats are made using organic flours – ideal for a leisurely afternoon tea.

The verandah is an ideal place for your "Lingering Breakfasts" featuring gourmet local products with parrots and rosellas in the apples trees for company.

We want you to feel "discreetly pampered" during your stay and know you'll enjoy soaking in the claw foot bath (complete with bookrack for serious bookworms!). A variety of natural toiletries will be provided for your enjoyment, including aromatherapy bath salts, bubble bath, bath oils - and more. If you feel like some extra spoiling, let us arrange a massage, facial or special package at a nearby health resort, or why not just use the resort's Health Club facilities - men's and women's saunas and spas, indoor heated pool. In-house massages and facials also available.

The Greater Blue Mountains has been listed as a World Heritage area due to its globally outstanding biodiversity and unique eucalypt vegetation. The property sits within this, backing onto the National Park. There are numerous bushwalks and nature-based actvities on offer in the region. There is abundant bird life, including regular visits to the Retreat by wild rosellas and parrots. There is also easy access to Leura and Katoomba village centes, where visitors can enjoy a vibrant restaurant/cafe culture, numerous books and gift shops, antiques and vintage clothing. A strong arts community has contributed to a wealth of festivals, recitals and galleries, with tailor-made tours of galleries and artists at work available.

Katoomba Blue Mountains is now a Cittaslow (slow city) - part of an international network of cities where the living is easy... Ultimate Eco package AU $716 - AU $1075 per person (4-6 people)
Price includes

• 7 nights’ accommodation for 4-6 people in our spacious, fully self-contained escarpment Retreat with private access to scenic walks – strolling distance to major attractions.
• Fresh flowers throughout the Retreat, fresh fruit, handmade chocolates from the Mountains’ famous Paragon Restaurant in iconic turn-of-the-century packaging.
• Very generous self-catering breakfast provisions for ALL BREAKFASTS featuring our region’s small producers – some organic.
• All linen and towels (including oh-so-soft bamboo-blend bath towels)
• Pamper Eco Pack –Divine iKou (Blue Mountains) natural toiletries infused with essences of the Australian bush for your enjoyment – perfect indulgence/wind-down after a hard day’s bushwalking!
• Complimentary laundry service
• Kitchen stocked with “essentials” for cooking (i.e.oils, pasta, rice, flour, condiments, spices/herbs). Wide variety of teas, herbal teas, plus locally blended and roasted plunger coffee, some fruit juice, organic milk, soy milk, butter and margarine

PLUS...

• Trolley Tour Day Pass Enjoy Katoomba and Leura World Heritage sights as you experience a travel feature of bygone days. Tour includes full commentary of the history of the Blue Mountains.
• $150 Shopping Voucher – Blue Mountains Community Food Cooperative, Katoomba Shop here for organic bulk foods that don’t cost the earth and then cook up a storm back at Cloudlands!
• 2 Hour Exclusive Guided Wilderness Walk - Includes Morning Tea under a rock shelter with eco-accredited Tread-Lightly Eco Tours.
• Aboriginal Discovery Presentation and Bushtucker Walk - Enjoy an introduction to Aboriginal culture, including an artifact presentation, a short bushwalk and morning tea. Hear hidden stories of the Country and discover fascinating insights into the traditional and contemporary life of Aboriginal people and their Ancestors for over 30,000 years.
• High Tea at Lilianfels - High Tea is a tradition in the Blue Mountains! Enjoy this unique experience strolling-distance from Cloudlands, savouring delicious fare in the Lounge at Lilianfels. All house-made and served on a triple tiered plate with finger sandwiches, dainty cakes, crumbly fresh scones and impeccable service – naturally.
• We also provide you with copies of the self-guided katoomba heritage and art walk (learn all about this historic art deco town on foot at your own pace) and the self-guided slow shopping trail for fashionistas, covering the best of art, retro, recycled, vintage, ethical fibre and op-shop clothing in the Mountains’ major centres!

Rendezvous with the Kangaroos tour AU $125 per person (2-4 people) or AU $550 for up to 7 people
A unique opportunity to visit some amazing remote wilderness in the World Heritage Blue Mountains area AND see wild kangaroos. Guests are collected from their accommodation in the early morning sunrise and taken by luxury 6 passenger 4wd vehicles to experience kangaroos up close. See fantastic panorama escarpments, unique rock formations, deep canyons with ancient rainforest and kangaroos in the wild. Includes a delicious breakfast consisting of pastries, tea and coffee. Short walks in the wilderness accentuate your interpretive ecological experience.

Wilderness at night tour AU $460 (1-6 people)
See glow worms, spot nocturnal wildlife, experience the Milky Way Galaxy, planets, moon, satellites from the tranquility of a rainforest (weather permitting). Learn the history of the Blue Mountains and the Aboriginal people. Walk with a qualified eco guide and study the geology, astronomy, plants and wildlife, as you walk through ancient rainforest under the southern night sky. Participants are collected from their accommodation.

Aboriginal discovery and bushtucker tour walk AU $45 adult, AU $25 child, AU $125 family. Every Monday from 10.30 am for 2 hours
Enjoy an introduction to local Aboriginal culture, including an artefact presentation, a short bushwalk and moring tea. Hear hidden stories of the Country and discover fascinating insights into the traditional and contemporary life of Aborignal people and their Ancestors for over 30,000 years.

Slow shopping trail for fashionistas. Ask us about our self-guided eco-walk/train journey covering retro, vintage, recycled, ethical fibre, op-shop and art clothing stores in the Blue Mountains!