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A Little Bit of Heaven
in the Blue Mountains

Madelyn Miller

Only a ninety-minute drive from Sydney, Lilianfels Blue Mountains is regarded as Australia's finest boutique "getaway". It combines the best of both worlds -- the cosmopolitan pleasure of stylish living and the healthy invigorating delights of country life. But while most people remember it for the majestic views, elegant accommodations and friendly service, there are a few other things that will always stay with me from my stay at Lilianfels.

 have stayed in hundreds of hotels, all of them offering unique and interesting amenities. But Lilianfels does something I have never seen before: They wrap the toilet paper in a black watch plaid ribbon. Just a little detail but one of many that make the experience so unforgettable.

I will also remember David, the porter who drove me into town to get something from the drugstore and pointed out all the best views and shops along the way. He drove me through the main street twice, to make sure I knew where everything was, and then left me to stroll at leisure.

There are so many things to do at Lilianfels. Enjoy your spacious, elegant room, relax in the heated indoor pool, indulge in a massage or facial, luxuriate in the crisp mountain air, gaze into a roaring log fire in the spacious Lounge, and sample superb food and wines in Darley's, or contemporary cuisine in Lilian's. Beautiful gardens invite guests to linger or explore. Outdoor activities include a tennis court, petanque terrain and mountain bikes. Four 18 hole golf courses available within a 10 minute drive of Hotel. And or course you can do what I did. Just relax.

The historic home "Lilianfels", built in 1889, has been transformed to its original splendour and now houses the award-winning restaurant, Darleys named after the original owner. An open veranda invites you to dine out of doors on a warm evening. Set in two acres of English-style gardens, the adjoining 86 room European style country house, opened in 1992, has been designed in line with the architecture of the heritage home, offering all the facilities and comforts of a world class retreat.

Along with 86 rooms and suites, the hotel features a health club and day spa, a reading room, billiard room, a fabulous swimming pool, the lobby, which like the pool seems to hang over the Jamison Valley, and of course Lilian's Restaurant which continues the theme of regional food, but these menus are more regionally influenced by our increasingly cosmopolitan character.

Lilianfels enjoys a rare position for a luxury hotel in Australia, it has the benefit of four seasons. This means seasonal produce for regionally-based menus in its two fabulous restaurants - one leaning heavily on classic European cooking styles, the other lighter and taking advantage of Australia's more recent cosmopolitan character.

Lilianfels Blue Mountains sits adjacent to The Three Sisters, one of the country's most acclaimed natural wonders. The Three Sisters symbolize the stature and pride of the Blue Mountains towering escarpments, wide, deep blue-hazed valleys, incomparable views and impenetrable depths. Lilianfels Blue Mountains is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

How to get there:

Train
Trains to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba leave Central Station, Sydney, approximately every hour. They usually stop at Strathfield, Parramatta, Penrith and all stations to Lithgow including Springwood, Katoomba and Mt Victoria. Average time Sydney to Katoomba is 2 hours. Services to the Blue Mountains depart from Platforms 12 and 13. If travelling by train to Katoomba, Lilianfels Blue Mountains offers complimentary transfers to and from Katoomba Railway Station.

Automobile
From Sydney to Lilianfels By Car is an enjoyable 1 ½ hour drive. Head west out of the city on the Parramatta Road, leading on to the M4 Freeway. You may wish to visit the site of the SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPICS at HOMEBUSH BAY 13kms from the city. Exit the freeway (well sign posted) and proceed to the Homebush Bay Information Centre and Viewing Platform. Situated at the heart of the principal Olympic precinct, it is open from 9am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends and public holidays. The Information Centre deals with the development of Homebush Bay and particularly the venues to be used during the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Centre, at 1 Australia Avenue, is 400 metres from the Olympic Stadium site and 200 metres from the Sydney International Aquatic Centre.

Return to the M4 and watch for the toll booth ($1.50).  After BLACKTOWN exits watch for AUSTRALIA'S WONDERLAND (exit Wallgrove Rd, left). It is Australia's largest theme park with 7 theme lands to explore. See THE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE PARK with its wonderful display of Australian flora and fauna including koalas, kangaroos, emus, fairy penguins. Experience the Outback Woolshed Show and live the Australian pioneering experience in "Goldrush". Admission includes all rides, shows and entertainment. Admission to THE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE PARK only is also available.  

Continuing West on the M4, cross the Nepean River at PENRITH and then start to climb the mountain (about 50kms) to KATOOMBA. At present the road is undergoing major road works as a dual carriageway is being built. The road passes many large and small towns until you finally arrive at Katoomba. This is the main upper mountains town (Pop. 12,500). Watch for signs and turn left into Katoomba township, across the railway line. Turn left again at the roundabout, then take the first right (Katoomba Street, main road through shops). Proceed all the way down this street, through the shops and past the Police Station, down into the residential area and when the road turns left at the bottom you will see Lilianfels straight ahead of you.

Self-Drive

Thrifty Car Rental Tel: (61 2) 4784
2888 Fax: (61 2) 4784 2800
Or contact Thrifty Central Reservations
Office 1300 367 2277

Hire a car, be independent, and tour the countryside. Vehicles are available to be delivered from Thrifty Katoomba to Lilianfels Blue Mountains free of charge. New, low-kilometre, automatic, air-conditioned cars with unlimited kilometres. Maps supplied. (cars can be dropped off at most Thrifty locations Australia wide).

Lilianfels
Lilianfels Avenue
Katoomba
New South Wales 2780
Australia

800-024-452 toll free
02-4780-1200
02-4780-1300 fax

SYDNEY ENDINGS

BEST WAY TO GET TO AUSTRALIA
QANTAS
(800) 227-4500
www.qantas.com

BEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT SYDNEY AND NEW SOUTH WALES

Tourism New South Wales
www.sydneyaustralia.com
www.seesydney.com

The Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.scvb.com.au

Sydney Visitors Center
www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com

City of Sydney
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

INSIGHT GUIDE TO SYDNEY
Insight Guides

MUST-SEE SYDNEY
New South Wales and Canberra
Thomas Cook Publishing

Lonely Planet Sydney
www.lonelyplanet.com

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2002
The Sydney Morning Herald
By Matthew Evans and Lisa Hudson

OUT TO EAT SYDNEY
Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com

Shopping Secrets Sydney
By Michelle Matthews
www.shoppingsecrets.com

SENSUAL SYDNEY

LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA
www.lonelyplanet.com.au

Australia
Fodor's
www.fodors.com

Independent Traveler's Australia 2001
Budget Travel Guide
Globe Pequot Press

ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA & the Torres Strait Islands
Guide to Indigenous Australia
www.lonelyplanet.com

MUST-SEE AUSTRALIA
Thomas Cook Publishing

AUSTRALIA HANDBOOK
By Marael Johnson and Andrew Hempstead
Moon Travel Handbooks
www.moon.com

MAVERICK GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA
Edited by Len Rutledge
Pelican Publications

AUSTRALIA SIGNPOST GUIDES
Driving guide for the independent traveler
Globe Pequot Press

TRAVELER'S TALES AUSTRALIA
Edited by Larry Habegger
www.travelerstales.com

WHERE TO STAY

The Observatory Hotel
89 -113 Kent Street
The Rocks SYDNEY 2000
Tel 61 2 9256 2222
www.orient-expresshotels.com

REGENT SYDNEY  a Four Seasons Hotel
199 George Street
Sydney 2000 NSW
Tel 61 2 9238 0000
Fax 02 9252 4745
www.fourseasons.com

WESTIN
No. 1 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
6 12 8223 1111
fax 61 8223 1222
www.westin.com.au

RESTAURANTS (Some of Madelyn's favorites)

TETSUYA'S 
ROCKPOOL
Restaurant VII
AQUA DINING
ARIA
BANC
MG GARAGE
GALILEO
PRIME
BEL MONDO
CADMUS
BILLS
POST

BEST SPAS

The Observatory Hotel Day Spa --Grand dame of pampering and unique treatments
The Observatory Hotel
89 -113 Kent Street
The Rocks SYDNEY 2000
Tel 61 2 9256 2222
www.orient-expresshotels.com

Spa Chakra-very holistic
ph/fax: 61 2 9818 3734
mob: 0421 598 371
SPA CHAKRA SYDNEY
170 Victoria Street Potts Point NSW 2011
PHONE (02) 9368 0888
FAX (02) 9380 2950
spachakra@chakra.net
 
Regent Hoteltry the jetlag treatment
REGENT SYDNEY  a Four Seasons Hotel
199 George Street
Sydney 2000 NSW
Tel 61 2 9238 0000
Fax 02 9252 4745
www.fourseasons.com

Jurlique Wellness Sanctuary Day Spa
Chatswood
(02) 9415 1738
Chatswood@jurlique.com.au
www.jurlique.com.au

Joh Bailey
Joh Bailey Hair & Day Spa
The Westin, Sydney
phone (02) 9231 4411
johbailey@johbailey.com.au

Korean Bathhouse
The Ginseng Bathhouse
111Darlinghurst Road
Kings Cross NSW 2011
02-9368-1442
02-9368-0818
FAX 02-9356-2348
www.cresthotel.com.au

MORE "TO DO's"

If you have a few extra days Consider trips to

Blue Mountains
www.bluemountainstourism.org.au

Hunter Valley Wine Country
www.winecountry.com.au

I toured with Australian Wild Escapes. Ask for Marcus to be your guide.

Australian Wild Escapes
Phone(02) 9980 8799
Fax (02) 9980 9616
www.australianwildescapes.com

Great Private Guide

"A Sydney Day"
Jane Strang
02 9929 3201
mobile 0414 506 124
j.strang@bigpond.com
www.asydneyday.com.au

MUST SEE

Sydney Opera House
www.sydneyoperahouse.com
If  you can't get there right away, take a  virtual tour of one of the five most recognizable buildings in the world.

Climate (Winter) NSW : Days can be cool, with average maximum temperature of around 59°F. Night minimum is around 41°F. Note that in the Snowy Mountains region daytime temperatures can be around 46°F with a high wind chill factor.

Clothing (Winter) NSW: Warmer clothing and enclosed walking shoes/boots are recommended for outdoor activities and sightseeing.  Very warm waterproof and windproof clothing and footwear is advisable for the Snowy Mountains region.

Climate (Summer) NSW: Summer months have daily temperatures of between 77°F and 95°F. Night temperatures are mild at around 68°F.

Clothing (Summer) NSW : Light, comfortable summerweight clothing should be worn, including a sunhat and sun protection cream for daytime. (Swimwear too of course!). A lightweight jumper or jacket can be necessary in the evenings and for the Blue Mountains. Good walking shoes or boots should be brought if you are bushwalking. Note that Sydney is subtropical; summer might bring occasional afternoon storms, so lightweight wet weather protection is advisable.

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