Cute Cottage Within Cooee Of The Ultimate Escape

Sun Herald

Sunday January 29, 2006

Hannah Edwards

A home sweet home among the gum trees gives guests that mountain high, writes Hannah Edwards.

MY 86-YEAR-OLD grandfather is visiting Sydney, having flown out from Manchester, England. It was his first international flight and we were keen to whisk him away for a classic Blue Mountains escape.

So I am searching for a mountain cottage with maximum "wow factor" and a recommendation for Cooee Cottage, part of the Clairvaux group of cottages in Blackheath, looks promising. From the photos on its website it's got great views, two comfortable bedrooms and is close to nice bushwalks.

But it's not until we arrive on a sunny afternoon that we realise just how spectacular the beautifully renovated cottage and its stunning views actually are.

The cottage is perched on a hill overlooking dramatic cliffs and a meandering tree-lined valley. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the stunning vista.

Craggy sandstone cliffs, part of the famous Shipley Plateau, drop down to the beautifully green Kanimbla valley. The occasional farmhouse can be seen in the distance and thankfully there is no car noise.

There are plenty of well-placed chairs in the open-plan lounge area, including a comfortable-looking recliner in leather and polished wood, perfect to relax in and enjoy the view. An eight-seater wooden dining table is thoughtfully positioned so you can enjoy the views while you eat.

The 100-year-old cottage has undergone an impressive renovation and features polished floorboards, a shiny kitchen complete with excellent standard oven and dishwasher, and weatherboard walls painted a fresh creamy white. Comfortably worn leather couches give my grandfather an ideal spot to sink into and watch the cricket while we're exploring outdoors.

A large timber deck, with wrought-iron table and chair setting, provides another idyllic spot for visitors to gaze at the view and watch yellow-tailed black cockatoos squeal as they fly through the valley.

Breakfast is provided for the first day - a giant loaf of locally baked sourdough and a selection of cereals. Given the price of our stay, the inclusion of some eggs and bacon would have been nice.

The cottage is decorated with framed prints of native flowers, moody Blue Mountain photographs and, my favourite, a glass art deco style lamp in the shape of a small turtle that glows a warm yellow when switched on.

A timber bookshelf is packed with an interesting range of books from recent crime blockbusters to the more obscure 1970s tome outlining sociology for nurses.

The main bathroom features a large spa bath with a window allowing bathers to enjoy the marvellous views.

Bath salts and even a yellow rubber duck are provided.

The enormous shower alcove features two shower heads, one of the enormous and slightly scary-looking massage variety. The other is a more standard type for the less adventurous.

And yes, that view can also be enjoyed from the shower.

TRIP NOTES

Address: 25 Cecil Road, Blackheath.

Bookings: 4787 8538. See www.clairvaux.com.au/cooee.

Rates: Midweek nightly rate $240, weekend rate for two nights $550, full week $1600. Rates based on two people staying.

VERDICT

Peaceful mountain luxury.

Why you'd go: For stunning mountain views from the comfort of your charmingly worn leather armchair.

Why you wouldn't: You want shops at your doorstep (the closest are about a 20-minute walk away).

FIND TIME TO

? Wander the steep tracks that start from the garden and go into the valley.

? Check out the beautiful cottages on this relatively unknown side of Blackheath.

? Avoid crowded lookouts like Echo Point at Katoomba and head for the many signposted dirt roads in the area to equally spectacular vantage points.

? Buy giant sourdough loaves at the Blackheath bakeries.

? Drive back to Sydney via the Bells Line of Road. It's a more scenic option.

© 2006 Sun Herald

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