GALLERIES & EXHIBITIONS
The Blue Mountains is known as The City of the Arts.
The number of galleries in the Blue Mountains accounts
for 14% of the total in NSW. Paintings, bears, Aboriginal,
woodwork, plates, science and puzzles, pottery, modern
sculpture, the list is endless. Exhibitions are regular
and plentiful with listings.
GUIDED TOURS
Guided Discovery activities are plentiful in this
area. Threatened species walks, guided walks, Australian
Wildlife tours, eco tours, sunset tours, waterfall
tours, sightseeing, to name a few. Information about
these tours is available from Blue Mountains Websites,
or contact us for our recommendations.
GARDENS
Sydneysiders who travel to the mountains know it as
very fertile, colourful, and extremely picturesque.
Travel to the mountains in Springtime and be ready
for an amazing display of household and group organised
gardens. National Trust Gardens, Estate galleries,
Botanical Gardens to name a few. Bring a camera.
During the first week of October over
10,000 people visit the spectacular Leura Gardens
Festival, only 5 minutes away from The Hideaway.
MUSEUMS & ANTIQUES
There are many hidden treasures within the Blue Mountains
region. Step back in time and experinece some of the
most unique museums in Australia. Some examples are
Selwood Science & Puzzles, Toy & Railway Museum of
NSW, Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum, the Purse Museum,
and Woodford Academy.
For those interested in Antiques,
antique galleries exist in almost every township in
the mountains, and are plentiful in Wentworth Falls,
Leura and Katoomba, all closeby to The Hideaway. Wentworth
Falls Antique Centre is located in the Wentworth Falls
village and some say it is the most beautiful antique
centre in the mountains!
KINGS TABLELAND OBSERVATORY
The observatory is at Wentworth Falls. Three modern
telescopes are available for use, on cloudy nights
they have a flat screen planetarium. Open to public,
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings from 7pm. 8pm
during daylight savings. It is also open on Saturday
and Sunday from 10am to 4pm for Solar Observing. School
Holidays open every night. Group bookings on Wednesday
and Thursday evenings only, by appointment - 02 4757
2954.
PUBS
Closeby Katoomba is home to several very fine pubs
with beautiful woodwork and a huge variety of beers
on tap.
ENTERTAINMENT
Nearby to "The Hideaway", mostly in the neighbouring
Katoomba, there are many clubs, cinemas, The huge
screen Edge cinemas are 8 minutes drive away. Festivals
in Wentworth Falls include Wentworth Falls Lake Regatta
in February, Wentworth Falls Autumn Festival in April,
and Wentworth Falls Public School Art and Craft Show
in May.
ARCHITECTURE
The Blue Mountains is rich in Australian history.
It has many beautiful old buildings with unique architecture,
many dating back to the 1800's. Around Wentworth Falls,
Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath in particular are many
old Churches, Town Halls, and Historical Houses with
marvellous old world appeal.
RETAIL THERAPY
Jewellery, House and Garden, Gifts, Health Products,
Antiques
BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBOURHOODS
Just to walk around the local streets in many areas
of the Blue Mountains is a pure delight. The varied
array and abundance of plants and trees, and the effort
taken by local residents in their gardens is entertainment
alone.