OH! Magazine - Australian Version January 2014 (Australian Version) | Page 30

ALISHA SMITH THE BRILLIANCE OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS Alisha Smith discovers a plethora of physical activity and relaxation options in Sydney’s historic Blue Mountains. n October 2013, more than 118,000 hectares (291,584 acres) of bushland was lost to the worst bushfires in NSW in more than 40 years. The Greater Blue Mountains Area suffered the brunt of the devastation, with more than 200 homes destroyed and 120 damaged as three major fires near Lithgow, Springwood and Mount Victoria tore through the area. As hundreds of emergency services workers and volunteers from around the country converged to battle the blazes, we sat glued to our TV and computer screens, transfixed by apocalyptic images of angry, vermillion flames roaring towards exhausted fire crews. With reports rolling in of more and more Blue Mountains bushland being devoured by the relentless infernos, it became hard to fathom that there’d be anything left of the once-breathtaking region. When the authorities stopped issuing advisory messages discouraging all non-essential travel, I took the opportunity to drive 1.5 hours to the northwest of Sydney for a two-night girly getaway in the charming Blue Mountains village of Leura. After all, the Blue Mountains businesses were still relying on tourist I 30 ISSUE 6 ( OH! MAGAZINE ) dollars to help them survive… With quality restaurants, boutique shopping, spectacular views and a huge range of active pursuits all at your doorstep, Leura is the perfect holiday destination. There’s no going past Mountain Whispers for accommodation. Comprised of four historic properties throughout Leura and Katoomba, each has been exquisitely and painstakingly refurbished to its turn-of-the-20thcentury glory. Each property combines the grandeur and elegance of the early 1900s with the luxurious comforts of the modern world: hot running water, 1,000-thread-count sheets, and even, should you so desire, an in-house massage! The jewel in the Mountain [email protected] (Where, Oh Where? )