The Spotted Black Snake

By | June 7, 2022

The Spotted Black Snake otherwise known as the Blue-Bellied Black Snake is a close relative of the more well known Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus). Spotted Black Snakes are a highly venomous elapid species that grow to around 1.5m in length. Spotted Black Snakes can be variable in colour with some individuals being completely black… Read More »

Dargan Arch, a great place to visit

By | June 5, 2022

Dargan Arch is the remains of a long collapsed cave. Dargan Arch is a natural sandstone arch about 14m long, 8m wide and about 9m high. It’s a great adventure walk that you’ll love. Ask Roz Blue Mountains provides full information and access details below. ACCESS: Once you leave Sandham Road you’ll come to a… Read More »

Home of the original Yulefest Christmas in July

By | June 1, 2022

Hotel Mountain Heritage (formerly The California) is proud to be the original home of Yulefest! Originally known as Christmas In July, this most unusual “out-of-season” festive season was created by the previous owner of the Hotel Mountain Heritage, Garry Crockett who wanted to bring the wonder and magic of a European white Christmas to a… Read More »

Council releases 2022 report card

By | June 1, 2022

Blue Mountains City Council is pleased to share the results of the latest Community Satisfaction Survey. 88% of residents surveyed were at least somewhat satisfied with the performance of Council. Of these 59% were very satisfied or satisfied. Council conducts a survey every two years, as a way to check in with our community to find out… Read More »

Wentworth Falls Lake Park upgrade plans

By | June 1, 2022

Community consultation on the current Wentworth Falls Lake Park upgrade has provided a wealth of valuable feedback that will help shape the delivery of this exciting project, as well as future stages. Extended consultation with the community was held earlier this year on the design of the accessible bridge that will connect to a walkway… Read More »

The Mysterious Black-faced Monarch

By | June 7, 2022

The black-faced monarch (Monarcha melanopsis) gets its name from the black band on its face, which is only visible in older adults. Adults have grey bodies with rufous underparts and wings, and this colour scheme changes as the birds age. Juveniles have brown plumage and their wings are tipped with black and white bars, which… Read More »

Mount Banks Submit Walk

By | May 31, 2022

NPWS describes the walk this way: “For some of the best scenic views in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, try the steep Mount Banks Summit walk from the picnic area, near Mount Wilson.” The first half of the walk offers great views. We stocked up on essential provisions from Piccolo Deli, Mount Victoria.… Read More »

A closer look at the Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby

By | May 24, 2022

Petrogale penicillata, commonly known as the brush-tailed rock-wallaby or small-eared rock-wallaby, is a kind of wallaby that can be found in the Blue Mountains and southeastern Queensland in Australia. They can be seen throughout the upper Blue Mountains and at Jenolan Caves. Rock wallabies are endemic to Australia. What does the brush-tailed rock-wallaby look like?… Read More »

Murder at St Hilda’s Katoomba

By | May 23, 2022

St Hilda’s Church of England, Katoomba was designed by prominent 20th century architect John Burcham Clamp, a partner of Walter Burley Griffin, and built by a Mr. Johnson of Leura. At about 4.00 pm on Sunday 10th May 1959, John (Jock) Reynolds, a 36 year old cook from the Gearin Hotel, accompanied by his baby… Read More »

The Ghost of Victoria Pass

By | July 14, 2024

In the 1800’s, if you were travelling down Victoria Pass at night, there was the added risk of encountering the Ghost of Victoria Pass, which haunted Mitchell’s viaduct, also known as the second bridge, on Victoria Pass on the eastern side. Travellers reported that their horses would become restless as they approached the bridge, then… Read More »