successful crossing of the seemingly impenetrable barrier in 1813 William Cox and 30 convicts built a road in just 6 months. Two hundred years ago, in May 1815, Governor Macquarie travelled over this route to found the town of Bathurst. The building of the railway encouraged development of villages along the route and nowadays the World Heritage listed paradise with its rugged grandeur, attracts visitors from all over the world.
‘Godsall House’, 125 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill by courtesy of Miranda Darling and Nick Tobias A spreading single storey bungalow renovated by Professor Leslie Wilkinson in 1929, now with alterations and a lower ground level added by Nick Tobias, Tobias Partners, this house and garden, embodying the timeless quality of the Wilkinson era in Australian architecture, is in a unique position on the Bellevue hillside with sweeping views from the Harbour at Rose Bay to Bondi and the ocean beyond. Cost: Members (only) $35, Youth (16-20yrs) $20 Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet Enquiries: 02 9363 2401
HERITAGE FESTIVAL – Remembering our Anzacs Tuesday 28 April 2015, 10.30am – 4pm Lindesay, Carthona Avenue, Darling Point- enter via Lindsay Avenue To celebrate the Centenary of the Anzacs, Robert Holden, librarian, curator of exhibitions both here and overseas and author of 32 books including one as a result of a Mitchell Library scholarship, will speak about his latest book And the Band Played On. Based on the unpublished Anzac diaries at the Mitchell Library, it tells how music and entertainment roused the Anzac spirit and boosted morale both on the front and back home. It is in fact the words of the Anzacs themselves speaking about sport, poetry, sightseeing and the books they enjoyed.
Katoomba, the chief town, is a haven for bush walkers, bird watchers, artists, writers and musicians. Leura, often called the ‘Jewel in the Mountain Crown’ with its cool climate gardens, coffee shops and galleries rewards the visitor with its spectacular walks and scenic golf courses. The National Trust property, ‘Everglades’, renowned for its Sorensen designed gardens, is one of Leura’s most treasured showplaces. Please note that as all houses open for inspection are private homes, we are unable to guarantee flat surfaces or easy access to all areas for people who find walking difficult. Some walking between properties will be required. Saturday 2 May 2015, 10am-12 noon and 2-4pm ‘Glenshiel’, 106-108 Gladstone Road, Leura by courtesy of Helen Cannella & Michael Anstiss The house was built in 1917 in the Edwardian style. The present owners are working hard to turn the original one-acre bushland block into an extensive cool climate garden of great style and beauty.
by courtesy of Jane Rosman and Elizabeth Tink Once the mountain retreat of former Premier, Barry Unsworth, the Canadian ranch style house built in 1947 is surrounded by a mature Sorensen-designed garden.
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The lunch is provided by the Friends of Everglades in combination with the Blue Mountains Branch of National Trust. Cost: $15 per head.
Sunday 3 May, 9.30am-1pm
Saturday Night Dinner: ‘A RETURN TO ELEGANCE’ – DINNER AT THE NEWLY RESTORED HYDRO MAJESTIC HOTEL, MEDLOW BATH. Dress: Gentlemen - Black tie (optional) Ladies - dinner/cocktail wear. Cost: $65 per head for 2course meal includes tea/coffee (all other beverages extra).
‘Endarley’, 33 Raymond Road, Katoomba by courtesy of Giles and Annouchka Auty ‘Endarley’ started as a small house built in 1920s at the end of Sir Frederick Darley’s apple orchard. Over the years a small ballroom was built and later, a classroom was added when the property was used as a school. Recently the house, which is still surrounded by a three-quarter acre of secluded and romantic gardens, has undergone major restorations. With continental style and elegance the artistic owners have created a house of excitement, charm and fun.
by courtesy of Jack and Johanne Wall The Art Deco House was built for author Ethel Mary Turner and her young barrister (later Judge) husband Herbert Raine Curlewis in 1928/29 as a mountain retreat. Designed by Leslie Wilkinson, the house still retains many of its original features and is surrounded by a mature garden.
AVALON BEACH DAY
GARDEN SEMINAR
Tuesday 2 June 2015, 10.30am-12.30pm or 1-3pm Avalon beach, a jewel in the crown of the Northern Beaches, occupies a unique place on the Barrenjoey Peninsular where the land narrows to bring Pittwater close to the Ocean front. On the cliff above Little Avalon, there is a remarkable group of three contemporary houses of architectural excellence. Regular viewers will remember the two seen in previous House Inspections at Avalon. Recently completed, the third of this trio provides a different interpretation for this unusual site, with views across the ocean beach to Marine Parade and its waterfront access to sand, rocks and surf.
Wednesday 29 July 2015, 10am-3pm Lindesay, Carthona Avenue, Darling Point- enter via Lindsay Avenue
by courtesy of Phillip and Tracey Campbell Built by Solomon Hyam in the 1880-1890s the single storey, hipped roof house, has recently undergone major restorations. Home to two professional musicians the property contains many interesting items collected during their travels around the world. This Federation Queen Anne style house was, for some 50 years, one of Katoomba’s superior guesthouses. ‘Dalkeith’, 33 Grose Street and 16 Craigend Street, Leura by courtesy of the owners ‘Dalkeith’, a Federation house with Arts and Crafts features, was designed by Sydney Architect T J Darling and built in 1913 as his mountain retreat. Adjoining ‘Dalkeith’, is 16 Craigend Street with its Wunderlich cladding, dating from the same period and linked by a delightful garden.
Drinks Party: Friday 1 May, 5.30 – 7pm, Everglades House, 37 Everglades Ave, Leura Enjoy an Autumn sunset in the 1930s Art Decoinfluenced house surrounded by the stunning Sorensen-designed gardens which enjoy spectacular views over the Jamison Valley. Cost: $20 per person.
The Garden Panel invited you to join us for this very popular event. You will learn the inside story behind the construction of Sydney’s about-to-be-opened, newest landmark, be transported to landscapes of extraordinary imagination and be introduced to some personalities and their beautiful gardens in Sicily. Stuart Pittendrigh will talk about Building a Headland Park at Barangaroo, Paul Urquhart will discuss The Land as a Canvas, and Peggy Muntz will take us on A Garden Journey in Sicily. All this as well as morning tea/coffee and lunch. Cost: $70 NT members, $80 friends. Enquiries: 02 9968 1915. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet
‘Coolangatta’, 91 Waratah Street, Katoomba
PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR EACH MEAL
‘Garth’, 24 Watkins Road, Leura
Saturday Lunch: Holy Trinity Church Hall, Wentworth Falls.
Overlooking Everglades gardens and owned by a local architect, this 1920s house while retaining much of its original character, has been carefully updated to meet the needs of this busy family.
LUNCHES AND DINNERS
‘Coolangatta’ - Katoomba
Saturday 2, Sunday 3 May For thousands of years the sandstone fortress to the west of Sydney was home to the Gundungurra and Darug people. In 1788 Governor Phillip named the range Carmarthen and Lansdowne Hills and, due to the blue haze, referred to it as the Blue Mountains. Following Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson’s
by courtesy of Diego and Gina Villar and family
‘Saskatoon’, 12 Watkins Road, Leura
Refreshments, reflecting the type of food sent to the diggers while in the trenches including Anzac biscuits and fruit cakes will be available. Cost: $10 per person.
KATOOMBA & LEURA COUNTRY WEEKEND
36 Everglades Avenue, Leura
LOOKING AHEAD Details and bookings to be included in the next issue of the magazine
Hydro Majestic Ballroom
PLEASE NOTE: Bookings for this event are welcome, even if you are not attending the Country Weekend. Cancellations cannot be made after 31 March. HOUSE INSPECTION TICKETS Cost: Members $80, Friends (2 only per member) $100 Youth (16-20years) $25 Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet Enquiries: 02 9363 2401 Accomm: Blue Mountains Visitor’s Centre: 1300 653 408
Avalon Day
Avalon Day 532 Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach by courtesy of Libby and Patrick Allaway (Access from public car park, eastern end of Avalon Parade to Surfside Avenue and walkway to Barrenjoey Road) Completed just a year ago this house fulfills a longheld dream of the perfect beach house created by the owners working with the architect Peter Tout, builder Andy Bate, interior designer Thomas Hamill and garden designer Tudor Rose.
COACH TOUR KATOOMBA & LEURA COUNTRY WEEKEND
The graceful lines of its soft-shingled roof and pale walls are anchored with substantial glowing sandstone.
Friday 1, Saturday 2, Sunday 3 May
Eurota, 19 Marine Parade, Avalon Beach
Coach departs from the street that gives access to the country trains and main concourse of Central Station. Please be at the departure point at 8.30am on Friday 1 May. Returns Sunday 3 May at approximately 6pm. Cost: includes accommodation (two nights) at Redleaf Resort, Blackheath, (02 4787 8108); two dinners, two breakfasts, two lunches and inspection tickets. Note: Saturday night dinner as per information above. Twin Share: Members $580 each Friends $605 Single: Members $680 Friends $705 Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet Enquiries: For coach only, Virginia Pearson Smith- 02 9519 2343, (Friday 1 May only-0419 146 265) NB. All cancellations must be made three weeks prior to departure.
by courtesy of Stephen Doyle Probably dating from the 1920s, the house was built by a timber merchant transporting timber up and down the coast in his own vessel Eurota. The small house preserves the essential simplicity of its era, respects the qualities of the various timbers used and pays homage to its uninterrupted views of sea, shores and headland. The owner has made minor, judicious alterations while keeping the integrity of the house intact. In the garden below there is a grassy lawn beside the surf. Ticket holders will be directed to the third property. Cost: Members (only) $35, Youth (16-20yrs) $20 Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet Enquiries: 02 9363 2401
WAVERTON-NORTH SYDNEY DAY Tuesday 4 August 2015 HOW TO BOOK A PRIVATE HOUSE
INSPECTION DAY • Bookings are essential. No tickets are sold at the door. To book please use the Ticket Application Sheet on page 23. Make one payment only for multiple bookings. Tickets are not transferable. The closing date for tickets is five working days in advance. • Private house inspections are for MEMBERS ONLY. Members may bring up to two friends on Country Weekends and special events. • General conditions: No stiletto heels; visitors may be asked to remove their shoes or wear plastic overshoes (supplied). No photography is permitted. Cameras, video cameras and large bags may not be taken onto the premises. No smart-phone photography is allowed. No children under 12 years. Private homes may not be suitable for wheelchairs or walking frames. For more booking and access information, please phone the Ticket Secretary 02 9363 2401
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