 Christmas in July? It happens and it's known as 'Yulefest' in the Blue Mountains, one of the region's biggest attractions.
Thousands of visitors flock to the mountaintop in July and August to join in on the Christmas-style frolics, festivities and fare - and to revel in the occasional snowfall which turns the mountains into a winter wonderland.
With the cold winter winds come the warm hospitality, the Christmas crackers, the carols, the singalongs and of course, a visit from Santa himself.
If you've never experienced a Blue Mountains 'Yulefest' then you're in for a hefty dose of hedonism, and it's just a 90 minute drive from Sydney.
Many of the region's guesthouses, hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants provide all the treats and trappings of a traditional northern hemisphere Christmas - turkey, ham, chicken, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding and large helpings of fun.
Hearty winter cuisine is also accompanied by live entertainment, from carols around the piano, to live shows, group dancing and bush bands.
There's Murder, Mystery and Mayhem nights at the Balmoral Guest House in Katoomba. Basil, Cybil, Manuel and the crew from Fawlty Towers create havoc at the Mercure Resort with their 'Fawlty Yulefest' evenings. The Clarendon Guest House and Theatre in Katoomba brings the house down with their Yulefest Revue, a hilarious show which runs through the winter months. For a quieter and more romantic time, one can opt for a candlelit dinner at Norwood Lodge in Blackheath, or a hearty mountain breakfast at the Carrington in Katoomba.
Accommodation and dining options are endless and most doors are open seven days a week with plenty of attractive mid-week packages to entice.
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ArticlesBlue Mountain retreatsWith a choice of cosy bushland retreats, budget accommodation, restored grand hotels, five-star resorts and top-rating guest houses, there's no reason to rush back to the city. Stay on weekdays if possible, when prices tumble. Lace up your walking boots because the Blue Mountains has some of the most spectacular bushwalks in the world. From easy cliff top walks with panoramic views, to challenging treks deep into valleys, be prepared for a memorable experience. more Many scenic routes wind between historic towns and dramatic cliff top views in the Blue Mountains. On the way back to Sydney stop off at the orchards at Bilpin and the impressive cool-climate slopes of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. more Dramatic canyons, sheer valleys, thundering waterfalls and gum forests all make up this World Heritage area - the Blue Mountains National Park. Also part of this recent listing is nearby Wollemi National Park - the home of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine. more |
