I had been to Blue Mountains many years ago, and this is the first time back with the caravan.
Still a bushwalker and phtographer's dream. Lots of art galleries and antique shops (which are on my list for today).
For anyone a bit unsure of pulling a van into the area- the Great Western Hwy is really an easy pull. We drove through to Lithgow yesterday, and while the road is great, Mt Victoria is quite steep, but the traffic takes it slow and steady, and it has excellent views in places.
We are using the Blackheath CP ....and for a rare touch of luxury have an e suite site !! The park is quiet, no play area, jumping pillows etc, but has excellent facilities and is level, clean and grassy. Takes dogs, and across the road is a nice pig park and off leash area.
we are right on the edge of an escarpment, and the valley below is full of birds and birdsong.
We are thinking of heading back towards the coast on the Bell's Line of Road, but are wonderwhat how it compares to the Great Western Hwy in terms of pulling the van.
Anyone know?
Rosie
Rosie we lived in the Blue Mountains for nearly a year when I took a promotion to branch manager of a residental care service for people with intellectual disabilities in 2006-2007. I love it there and we had our house in Blackheath which I just adore, but tell me I did not realise that Blackheath had a pig park . That must be a new addition .
Seriously it is the best up there and I for one would love to move back there. I love the snow and it did snow while we were there. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather in my opinion as I love it cold.
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Thursday 14th of March 2013 08:09:27 AM
Rip and Rosie said
02:48 PM Mar 14, 2013
I had been to Blue Mountains many years ago, and this is the first time back with the caravan.
Still a bushwalker and phtographer's dream. Lots of art galleries and antique shops (which are on my list for today).
For anyone a bit unsure of pulling a van into the area- the Great Western Hwy is really an easy pull. We drove through to Lithgow yesterday, and while the road is great, Mt Victoria is quite steep, but the traffic takes it slow and steady, and it has excellent views in places.
We are using the Blackheath CP ....and for a rare touch of luxury have an e suite site !! The park is quiet, no play area, jumping pillows etc, but has excellent facilities and is level, clean and grassy. Takes dogs, and across the road is a nice pig park and off leash area.
we are right on the edge of an escarpment, and the valley below is full of birds and birdsong.
We are thinking of heading back towards the coast on the Bell's Line of Road, but are wonderwhat how it compares to the Great Western Hwy in terms of pulling the van.
Anyone know?
Rosie
Rip and Rosie said
06:17 PM Mar 14, 2013
Lol @ Michelle I meant BIG not PIG. Damned auto correct. Blackheath is beautiful, but certainly wouldn't want to be here in a bushfire! Some of the old homes are magnificent. I would love to get renovating on one or two. Rosie
BohemianGypsy said
08:36 PM Mar 14, 2013
Rip and Rosie wrote:
Lol @ Michelle I meant BIG not PIG. Damned auto correct. Blackheath is beautiful, but certainly wouldn't want to be here in a bushfire! Some of the old homes are magnificent. I would love to get renovating on one or two. Rosie
Yes we were there in the summer and there were huge bushfires around the back of Blackheath. I was on the verge of evacuating all the residents of the group homes in and around Blackheath that year. It took them days to get it under control and there were firemen from SA, VIC and QLD helping out. There are most certainly some gorgeous homes there if only I had the money to buy one or two to renovate
Michelle
aussietraveller said
09:41 PM Mar 14, 2013
Hi Rip and Rosie
The road from Mt Victoria across through Bell and down to Richmond/Windsor is quite ok as long as you take your time some pleasant views and plenty to see on the way across, the Great Western Highway is now dual lanes most of the way from Katoomba with some road works which during the week are not really a problem after peak hour, Sunday afternoon coming down the mountains towards Sydney can be an absolute nightmare and should be avoided, down the highway is the quickest way and leads on to the M4 Freeway and expressways both north and south Hope this helps and enjoy your time in the Beautiful Blue mountains.
Patto44 said
11:38 PM Mar 14, 2013
Bells line was a 'goat track' a few years ago. One lane each way and a bit rough in some places, but definitely a more picturesque drive. The hill down to the bottom has a few hairpin bends, but easy if you take your time. Cheers, Patto
Rip and Rosie said
04:05 PM Mar 15, 2013
Thanks.
This certainly is a great part of the country to play around in.
A photographers delight, as they say.
Such an historical area with some very old sandstone buildings and wonderful old homes. Full of artists and art galleries .
The autumn colours are already in the trees, and the days are warm, the nights cool. Winter I would think must be quite cold.
Might tackle the Bells Line of Road on the way back, as life's too short to always take the easy way.
Rosie.
aussietraveller said
06:31 PM Mar 15, 2013
Rip & Rosie when you come down towards the plains have you decided where you are going to stop, may be an opportunity to say gday and try some coffee.
Rosie we lived in the Blue Mountains for nearly a year when I took a promotion to branch manager of a residental care service for people with intellectual disabilities in 2006-2007. I love it there and we had our house in Blackheath which I just adore, but tell me I did not realise that Blackheath had a pig park
. That must be a new addition 
.
Seriously it is the best up there and I for one would love to move back there. I love the snow and it did snow while we were there. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather in my opinion as I love it cold.
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Thursday 14th of March 2013 08:09:27 AM
I had been to Blue Mountains many years ago, and this is the first time back with the caravan.
Still a bushwalker and phtographer's dream. Lots of art galleries and antique shops (which are on my list for today).
For anyone a bit unsure of pulling a van into the area- the Great Western Hwy is really an easy pull. We drove through to Lithgow yesterday, and while the road is great, Mt Victoria is quite steep, but the traffic takes it slow and steady, and it has excellent views in places.
We are using the Blackheath CP ....and for a rare touch of luxury have an e suite site !! The park is quiet, no play area, jumping pillows etc, but has excellent facilities and is level, clean and grassy. Takes dogs, and across the road is a nice pig park and off leash area.
we are right on the edge of an escarpment, and the valley below is full of birds and birdsong.
We are thinking of heading back towards the coast on the Bell's Line of Road, but are wonderwhat how it compares to the Great Western Hwy in terms of pulling the van.
Anyone know?
Rosie
I meant BIG not PIG. Damned auto correct.
Blackheath is beautiful, but certainly wouldn't want to be here in a bushfire!
Some of the old homes are magnificent. I would love to get renovating on one or two.
Rosie
Yes we were there in the summer and there were huge bushfires around the back of Blackheath. I was on the verge of evacuating all the residents of the group homes in and around Blackheath that year. It took them days to get it under control and there were firemen from SA, VIC and QLD helping out. There are most certainly some gorgeous homes there if only I had the money to buy one or two to renovate
Michelle
The road from Mt Victoria across through Bell and down to Richmond/Windsor is quite ok as long as you take your time some pleasant views and plenty to see on the way across, the Great Western Highway is now dual lanes most of the way from Katoomba with some road works which during the week are not really a problem after peak hour, Sunday afternoon coming down the mountains towards Sydney can be an absolute nightmare and should be avoided, down the highway is the quickest way and leads on to the M4 Freeway and expressways both north and south
Hope this helps and enjoy your time in the Beautiful Blue mountains.
Cheers,
Patto
This certainly is a great part of the country to play around in.
A photographers delight, as they say.
Such an historical area with some very old sandstone buildings and wonderful old homes. Full of artists and art galleries .
The autumn colours are already in the trees, and the days are warm, the nights cool. Winter I would think must be quite cold.
Might tackle the Bells Line of Road on the way back, as life's too short to always take the easy way.
Rosie.