Winter magic is a reality in the Blue Mountains, NSW, at this time of the year. The crisp clear mountain air is intoxicating, the views breathtaking, and for city slickers like me the lure of a log fire is irresistible.
Christmas Table
Sitting atop a hill high above Katoomba stands the Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa, a big old-style guesthouse with panoramic views over the majestic Jamison Valley.
Built in 1908 by Herbert Preston, a wealthy Sydney businessman who was involved in the Temperance Movement, it offered a “respectable” alternative to the Carrington and Hydro Majestic hotels.Known as The California in those days (the façade is California lodge-style), it became well-known for its in-house musical activities which at one stage included a permanent orchestra.
Today the Mountain Heritage is best known for its Yulefest winter celebrations. In fact it was here that the Blue Mountains Yulefest was born in 1980 with a group of homesick Irish: as they warmed themselves in front of the roaring log fires, they glanced out through frosted window panes and saw snowflakes dancing in the wind.
“Celebrating Christmas in Australia during the heat of summer just doesn’t feel quite the same,” explained one of the group to Garry Crockett, their host and owner of the Mountain Heritage. As he listened to his guests, Garry recalled his childhood and the stories his own Irish father Bill used to tell him of a white Christmas and offered to re-create a similar festive Christmas atmosphere at the Mountain Heritage.
Considered by many guests in the beginning as some kind of Irish joke, “Christmas in July” rapidly became popular throughout the winter months in the mountains and the tradition continues in great style today at the Mountain Heritage due to the efforts of new managers Trish Parsons and Ian Cannons.
The evening starts with champagne cocktails and canapes in the lounge followed by a traditional Christmas dinner in the restaurant surrounded by carollers, visits from Santa and after-dinner port and mince pies. “We’ve taken it right back to how it started,” says Trish.
“It’s the Christmas you can celebrate with the people you want to be with, not the people you have to be with.”Since the late 1980s, the hotel has undergone an extensive refurbishment program to restore it to its former glory. While the exterior remains somewhat austere, the interior oozes old world charm.
Large comfy lounge areas, open fires, cocktail bar and restaurant are very welcoming – and the rooms spacious and well presented, many with views over the valley and/or log fires and spa bath.A breakfast buffet (fresh fruits, cereals, eggs, bacon and sausages) is held each morning in the restaurant. For dinner, dishes like the slow-braised lamb shanks with root vegetables, couscous and roast macadamias and the beef and burgundy pie are tasty and filling. And for dessert, you might go for the sticky date pud or apple and rhubarb roly poly, but for a real treat I’d opt for a chai tisane body wrap at the Spa Sublime.
Spa director Lynda Graham has created a bright uplifting space inside this lovely restored Federation home just up the hill from the guesthouse. After being painted with a mixture of clay, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, vanilla and star anise, then wrapped up for an hour, I felt transported to another realm. Whether it was the mulled wine overtones, Lynda’s special touch or the warming winter spices, it sure felt like Christmas to me.
www.mountainheritage.com.au – check out their Yulefest Weekend Packages (June 26th – August 14th 2010).
Spa Sublime: 9 Penault Ave., Katoomba: www.spasublime.com.au
www.visitbluemountains.com.au or contact Blue Mountains Tourism on 1300 653 408.
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