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...

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*Special offers*
Small group rates:
If 4 people stay 3 nights midweek it works out around AU $71 per person per night, including fresh flowers, fresh fruit and generous self-catering breakfast provisions featuring local & organic products, hand made chocolates and truffles and gift-boxed handmade natural toiletries.

Free upgrades:
We offer free upgrades to our Women's R&R packages.

Rendezvous with the Kangaroos tour AU $125 per person (2-4 people) or AU $550 incl 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.

At this Blue Mountains retreat all breakfast foods are sourced locally from local suppliers, with an attempt to provide as many organic products as possible. Breakfast foods are healthy, fresh, vegetarian and rely heavily on our unique small organic sourdough bakeries.The preserved fruit supplied is locally-grown, unsprayed and bottled in spring water.

Prior to their arrival, we provide our guests with ample literature about the region to give them full information before their stay, so that as many local businesses as possible will benefit.

Cleaning is done with environmentally-friendly cleaning agents - citrus cleaner and vinegar and water being among our favourites.

Environmentally-superior alpaca wool quilts are used extensively, as alpacas are soft-footed animals and don't eat into the crown of plants - vital in our ancient land with fragile soils!

Eco logs (consisting of compressed cardboard fruit boxes) are left for guests to use on the open fire, in conjunction with firewood. Efficient gas heating operates throughout the building as an even better alternative. Toiletries are locally-sourced and conform to our criteria of minimal packaging, no animal testing and natural ingredients.