Explorers Trail - Penrith to Lawson; Above the Clouds - Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, Leura; Top of the Range - Medlow Bath, Blackheath, Mt Victoria; Western Foothills - Hartley, Jenolan Caves, Lithgow, Oberon; Gold & Wine - Bathurst, Sofala, Mudgee Gulgong; Treasure Trail - Bells Line of Rd & Hawkesbury
A Spectacular World Heritage Wilderness ~ on Sydney's doorstep with fabulous resorts, hotels & motels, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, self-contained cottages, cabins, chalets & caravan parks
The Wonders of Winter
Winter has been prowling along the ridges since late February, here in the Mountains. Astronmically, Winter commences on the winter solstice and ends at the vernal equinox; and in earlier times the feasts of Martinmas and Candlemas marked the beginning and close of winter. But more conventionally, it falls in the southern hemisphere in June, July and August.
In 1906, Gustav Holst wrote music for these earlier words from Christina Rosetti: "In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow; in the bleak midwinter, long long ago".
During these months the Blue Mountains offer a unique southern hemisphere experience of this traditional northern vision. The pure, clean light of Winter at altitude sparkles crisply in every panorama. Deciduous trees, gaunt and beautiful on the ridgeline, are already budding with Spring's assurance. Late April snowfalls in the Upper Mountains have brought the promise of white silence to adorn the coming Winter mornings. As you walk in quiet lanes enshrouded by Winter's mists, rugged up for warmth with clouds floating before you, the crackling log fire awaits.
Nature's seasons unfold. Yulefest beckons. The complete Winter experience is here.
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