A Hidden Escape in the Blue Mountains

People travel to the Blue Mountains for all sorts of reasons. For many, it's to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, even if only for a fleeting few days. For some, it's the climate. That cool, misty and sometimes temperamental weather that we know to be true of these majestic mountains. Or perhaps, it's to find some seclusion, where you can remove yourself from the reminders of the real world and drawback to times when things were much more simple.

It was apt that we would find something that met all of these needs and more when venturing to the Eco Woolshed Cabins, just a short 2 hours from Sydney and only a stone's throw from the beautiful town of Blackheath.

Arriving in Blackheath, we were directed by our trusty Apple Maps to descend down through the mountains to our final destination. The drive down the mountain is stunning and you should be sure to look out the windows to bask in the greenery that provides a rich palette of colours, a taste of what's to come.

It soon becomes apparent, upon arriving at the Eco Woolshed Cabins, that we are in for a weekend full of relaxation and warmth. The cabins immediately feel like home. I'm not sure if it's the gorgeous wood that the cabins are constructed from, or if it's the homely features that they are decorated with, but our family settled in immediately.

And then there is the view. Look out the window and you are presented with the most stunning vista, the Blue Mountains enveloping you from every angle. Grab a book, make yourself a cuppa, and enjoy everything that this cabin has to offer.

Things We Did

  • Waterfall
  • Sunrise
  • Hike
  • Scenic Drive
  • Town
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It can be tough finding a family-friendly waterfall to visit, particularly when your eldest is 3 years old and doesn't quite understand that you can't just jump off any rock you choose! So if you are looking for something that is (relatively) family-friendly, or if you are just down for an easy waterfall that you won't break your back trying to get to, look no further than the Pool of Siloam.

Begin by heading to the Gordon Falls Lookout and find the track markings. The descent to the pool and waterfall is well-maintained, with paved stairs for almost the entire track. The track gets progressively steeper as you descend, however, it's more than manageable. All up, it takes about 10 min to get to the pool.

Arriving at the pool, you will find a gorgeous waterfall that's about ten or so metres high, cascading into a stunning pool that you can swim in. It's unbelievably beautiful.
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When visiting the Blackheath area, you absolutely cannot miss the sunrise at Govett's Leap. The Govett's Leap lookout is a large lookout that looks directly east across the mountains, so is the perfect spot to catch the sunrise. Given its easy access (there is a car park at the lookout), it can get relatively busy so make sure you arrive early to get the best view. With that said, there are plenty of vantage points and you can't go wrong here.
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The Eco Woolshed is adjoined by a working stable, with horses all around the surrounding paddocks. Take a walk around the property and say hi to the friendly horses that you find. You can even walk up the hill behind the property to find dairy cows and a pretty amazing spot for a sunset. So grab the picnic kit (supplied at the cabin) and a bottle of champers and enjoy the stunning light that adorns sunset in this valley.
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Don't forget to slow down as you drive into the property and admire the rainforest that lies at the lower levels of the drive. Plenty of spots to take a sneaky little photo if you are a lover of all things green!
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When you arrive in Blackheath, you absolutely must stop in town and check out all the town has to offer. It's a quaint little strip, with plenty of antique shops and cafes to explore. For us, we couldn't go past a visit to the Little Lost Bookshop for a few good reads to keep us occupied. Into music? Check out the Hat Hill Gallery next door to pick up a few records.

Our Adventure Map

Where we stayed
Things we did

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