Helen's historic cottage at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains world-heritage tourist area, close to shops and galleries and yet near all the best walks (#11995)
Helen's holiday house ("OurSecret") at Katoomba currently accommodates a maximum of 4 persons (1 QS bedroom a twin bedroom). It is available for tourist rental as advertised elsewhere (for just one couple at present) and for home exchanges that fit our travel interests. PLEASE see the destinations listed above, which we update regularly. We have no plans to travel elsewhere right now.
The timber cottage is partly more than a century old in the Australian "Federation" style, is fully furnished and tastefully decorated, and has a modern kitchen and bathroom, Satellite TV/Video, CD/DVD player, town water, gas & electric heaters, barbecue, plus, if we are travelling at the time a car may be available by arrangement. WiFi Internet access can also be arranged for your visit (BYO laptop/netbook).
The cottage is fully fitted out for guests (self-contained) and is a very popular holiday venue. It has a private garden of mature cool-climate shrubs and flowers. All year Katoomba is a great place to visit. Summer weather is less humid than Sydney, in Winter there are "Yulefest" celebrations, and Autumn and Spring are especially wonderful with colourful gardens, flowering bulbs, and folk festivals.
I own this property.
HOME TYPE:
Single Family
The Neighborhood
The cottage is located on a quiet lane in the heart of the Blue Mountains tourism area. Famous landmarks like Echo Point and the Three Sisters and Scenic World attractions are only a few hundred metres away and the cosmopolitan restaurants, galleries, schools and shops of Katoomba even closer. You can eat out anytime, with any international cuisine you like being available a short walk away. A hundred metres away, Explorer and Trolley buses stop which travel 1Km to connect to the NSW Cityrail network, and also visit all the highlights. The neighbourhood mostly consists of similar cute and well-cared for cottages, and we have helpful, friendly neighbours.
There are modern attractions, golf courses, major resorts, theatres, large-screen cinema, hospital, multinational-cuisine Restaurants, and everything anyone would need.
ATTRACTIONS:
Country Club
Restaurants
Shopping
Galleries/Museums
Theaters
Health Club
Forests
Mountain Trails
Mountains
Golf
Biking
Hiking
Other Information
Getting Here: Transport to Sydney Terminal by comfortable Cityrail trains takes 1 hour 50 minutes, and many local people (Chris included) commute daily. Driving is straightforward from Sydney, following Parrmatta Road, M4 Motorway (free), and the Great Western Highway. From Sydney Airport you take the M5 Motorway (toll), then the M7 (electronic toll), then the M4 (free). Outside peak-hours the trip takes about 1.5 hours, but can be up to 3 hours, so using the train is strongly suggested. The underground stations at the airport connect to Central (Sydney Terminal), and the country trains start from there.
amenities:
Garden
Internet Access
Washer/Dryer
FAX
Fireplace
Security System
Patio/Outdoor Dining
TV/Cable
Stereo/HiFi
Balcony/Deck
CONDITIONS:
No Smoking
Auto OK
Child OK
No Pets
The Dates
The Destination
The People
We are Helen, a classical singer and voice coach (plus child health/special needs professional) and Chris, an environmental technician. Both keen travellers. We sometimes travel with, or meet up overseas with our three adult children, but we will let you know right away if that is a likelihood. If it is University holiday-time, our student daughter is the one most likely to be along.
Home Exchanging is great! We have been graciously hosted in Canada (3 times), the Nederlands, the US, and the UK (twice) and here within Australia. In return we have hosted travellers (home exchangers and tourists) from many countries, and also travelled widely in Australia. We value the wonderful friendships this has made, and exchanging for us is so much more than accommodation. We think it makes the world a better place by linking real people together.
Ideally, we would like to have regular contact with you in advance of the exchange. So far, we have found it a fairer experience on both sides to arrange exchanges with individuals or families, rather than groups of travel companions who are not part of the exchange or hosting contract. We would prefer to rent the cottage to such groups, but please speak with us anyway if that is how you are travelling.
Whether or not you exchange with us, please seek our advice early during your planning for an Australian visit, including if you plan to stay with others. We can help you get the very best from your Aussie trip, and you can avoid following the stereotypes and discovering pitfalls that spoil it. We are enormously proud of our wonderful country and our welcoming, multicultural people, and we want you to see us at our best. Please ask US first.
We may also be able to provide a holiday unit at Mission Beach (Queensland's Great Barrier Reef Coast). HOWEVER as it is currently tenanted and may not be available for your intended dates. Our local contacts there WILL be able to help with alternatives, including home stays. Please ask us.
We can recommend you to family and friends in other parts of Australia who would love guests and possibly also want to arrange an exchange.
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