It doesn’t take much to convince a Sydneysider to take a mini-break. Sure we love our big city – the beaches, the Harbour, the restaurants – but sometimes you find yourself saying “I really need to get out of Sydney!”
Throw in the temptation of a brand-new hotel to check out and it’s pretty much a done deal. So, it’s on a gloriously sunny Wednesday that Mr LML and I embark on a spontaneous midweek getaway to the Blue Mountains. Just one hour and 45 minutes from the CBD, one big, deep breath of fresh country air is enough to leave thoughts of the big smoke far behind.
Fresh country air
We make our way up the long gravel driveway to Parklands Garden and Lodges, a secluded retreat in Blackheath. Having only opened in mid-September 2014, you might not have heard of it (yet!), but chances are you’ve heard of its sister property. Lilianfels in nearby Katoomba is a five-star property with a chef hat restaurant and an impressive reputation.
Parklands Garden and Lodges
With company like that, we have high expectations as we’re met by Ray in reception and ushered personally to our cottage. The smell of fresh paint still vaguely lingers (in that new-car kind of way) as we open the door and make our way up a staircase to reveal our stunning open-plan suite. There’s a lounge area complete with fireplace and flat-screen TV. A window perch, perfect for admiring the afternoon sun. And, of course, a bedroom alcove with queen bed and another flat-screen TV. It’s all beautifully decorated with a Hamptons-meets-the-Mountains vibe – warm and inviting, but oh-so-stylish.
The bedroom
View from our window
Hello, welcome treats
The style stakes continue as you enter the bathroom. The simplicity of the white tiles is complemented with the wow-factor of a massive double-head shower, plenty of natural light (courtesy of a skylight), and organic toiletries. The shampoo and conditioner are to-die-for!
Organic toiletries!
However, we only have time for a quick perusal of our cottage because the day spa is calling… Located in the main house, there’s single and joint treatment rooms available. I opt for a remedial massage, but next time I’ll be trying the signature Ginger Renewal.
Day spa
We retire to our room for the night, quietly happy the warm spring day has cooled down enough to justify starting up the fire. Yep, it’s going to be hard to leave this place 😉
Champagne by the cosy fire. Hello, relaxation!
The next day, a good night’s sleep and a sparkling Blue Mountains day creeping through the window have us ready and raring to go. First stop, breakfast! The main house is also home to the on-site restaurant. It’s currently open for breakfast and lunch daily, with dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays.
Yep, the main house has luxe country manor written all over it
Chill time in the main house lounge area
We take our pick from the tempting continental breakfast offerings – pastries, fruits, yoghurts, cereals, juices, and breads – and order eggs from the a la carte menu. With the coffee and tea flowing and newspapers to be slowly digested, it’s easy to imagine you’re living the life in your very own country manor.
Tempting breakfast options
Well-fed and caffeinated, we take the opportunity to explore some of the 28 acres of grounds Parklands calls home, all manicured to perfection. If you’re a sucker for adorable animals, the ducks are ridiculously cute.
Doing my best ‘I totally live here’ pose.
Exploring the grounds
We reluctantly check out, but our mini-break isn’t over yet. After all, a visit to the Blue Mountains isn’t complete without a bushwalk. A short drive away, we make our way to Wentworth Falls to embark on the National Pass Walk. Well worth the effort (and all the stairs!) for the gorgeous views…
National Pass Walk
Wentworth Falls
How about the serenity
Exercise done, it’s time to eat! Leura Garage has been on my hit list for a while and I’m happy to report it doesn’t disappoint. Tucked away just off the main drag, it’s a funky option compared to the more traditional café offerings of much of the region. Located in (you guessed it) an old garage, references to its former life are everywhere – from the spanners and pliers embedded in the concrete floor to the uniforms of the staff.
The vibe is casual-cool with a focus on local produce. Case in point, a Pear Hillbilly cider from nearby Bilpin kicks things off as we read the menu.
Did somebody say cider?
We can’t go past the Garage Sub (lamb meatballs with minted yoghurt, tomato and red pepper relish on a house-made bun) and the Chicken Souvlaki (eggplant caviar, garlic yoghurt, sumac pickled onions and rocket on house-made dukkah bread). Both dishes pack a flavour punch.
The chicken…
…or the lamb?
A stroll around the corner, Leura Mall is another must-do. Boutiques, gift shops, homewares, and antiques are all on offer.
Leura Mall
Your No.1 go-to, though, has to be Josophan’s Fine Chocolates. With no preservatives or artificial flavours, these gems need to be consumed within seven days, but, trust me, once you try one that won’t be a problem. My hot tip: the signature lime and basil.
Josophan’s Fine Chocolates
And if you get a taste for Josophan’s treats, the good news is they have a store in the Sydney CBD. So with the promise of a little taste of Leura on our doorstep and a sugar high, it’s happily home to the big smoke we go.
Nicole stayed as a guest of the Parklands Gardens and Lodges.