The Service Critic: Leura, Blue Mountains December 2012

Blue Mountains trip December 2012

We packed up the hubby, myself and two kids (boy 15 and girl 10) grabbed grandma and took off to the Blue Mountains.

Christmas shop

We arrived by car to the Waldorf Leura garden resort mid morning. Leura is a lovely little town with gorgeous views, historic homes, quaint cafes, restaurants and shops. The Christmas shop is just packed with goodies from floor to ceiling. I stuffed myself silly with choc coated pineapple lumps at the lolly shop!

So many of the houses have been lovingly restored, with picket fences and big old trees cradling the roads.

I felt Leura was a great central spot to take in what the Blue Mountains has to offer.

Leura lolly shop

We visited the old toy and train museum, a rather grand historic home, with fabulous mountain views. We paid $42 for 2 kids and 2 adults to enter the house, each room of the old house shows off a collection of old toys, from all eras.

Toy and Rail Museum

From tin wind up toys, to an impressive Barbie doll collection. Yes it was mildly interesting, not a lot of information and I did fell a little ripped off. However my 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed this place. Others may enjoy reminiscing their child hood days.

Toy and Rail Museum

After wandering through the house, you exit and can then explore the gardens and train museum. Our family much preferred this.

Toy and Rail Museum

We proceeded to the Everglades historic house and garden, this is now run by the national trust. We paid $36 for all five of us to enter and really enjoyed leisurely wandering around the gardens. There is a tea house that was closed by the time we got there.

Reading secret garden in the secret garden

Everglades Leura

Back to the Waldorf Leura garden resort, we were disappointed that their restaurant ‘Jasmine restaurant’ was closed.

We were all tired and decided to order pizza, and stay in. The local pizza place (recommended to me by the staff) didn’t answer their phone, so had to do the domino's order!

We paid $250 a night for a family room, all beds were comfy and the room was clean. This is not a 5 star palace, but we all seemed comfortable and happy here.

A hot buffet breakfast was included, everyone was more then happy with the food. The resort had a little play area for young ones, a small pool and games rooms with tennis table and pool table.