New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 184

Seeing the Blue Mountains from the Back
of a Harley
A thrilling way to see the Blue Mountains is on the back of a chauffeur-
driven Harley-Davidson. Blue Thunder Bike Tours ( & 02/4571 1154 ) leaves
from Manly Wharf in Sydney (but they'll pick you up anywhere in the city).
Rides cost A$80 (US$52) for the first hour, A$130 (US$85) for 2 hours,
A$255 (US$166) for half a day, and A$360 (US$234) for a full day with
lunch. The same company runs Hot Heritage Tours, operating out of the
Blue Mountains (pickup anywhere in the Mountains), for the same prices.

Tips

3 Lilianfels Ave., Katoomba, NSW 2780. & 02/4782 1966. Fax [phone]. www.echoeshotel.com.au. 12
units. Weekend rate A$425 (US$276) double including breakfast; midweek rate A$325 (US$211) double
including dinner and breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Jacuzzi; sauna; non-
smoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Set just over a road from Echo Point, this
Victorian country-house hotel—a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the
World—is a full-service yet still cozy establishment. Rooms are spacious and fur-
nished with antiques. Most have king-size beds and both a tub and shower. Those
with views are more expensive. The living areas are just as grand, with roaring log
fires and more antiques. Views are impressive, especially from the lounge, which
overlooks the Jamison Valley. On the grounds is an 1889 cottage. Meant for two,
it has a sitting room, a bedroom with a four-poster bed, a Jacuzzi, an intimate
fireplace, and its own gardens. Among the other offerings at Lilianfels are a bil-
liards room, a library and reading room, and a lawn for French boules.
Lilianfels Ave., Katoomba, NSW 2780. & 1800/024 452 in Australia, or 02/4780 1200. Fax [phone].
www.slh.com. 85 units, 1 cottage. A$380-A$470 (US$247-US$305) double; A$530-A$685 (US$345-
US$445) suite; A$1,050 (US$682) cottage. Extra person A$55 (US$36). Ask about off-season packages. AE,
DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: 2 restaurants; small indoor swimming pool; health club with flotation
tank; exercise room; Jacuzzi; sauna; bike rental; tour desk; secretarial services; 24-hr. room service; massage;
laundry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room:A/C, TV, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Moderate
The Carrington Hotel Construction started on this grand Victorian
hotel in 1880, and it reopened in 2000 after a major renovation. A ramshackle
building, The Carrington is a must-stay if you're into buildings of the British-Raj
style. Downstairs is a restaurant/breakfast room (once a ballroom), a couple of
lounges scattered with antiques, and a gorgeous wood-paneled billiard room.
Chandeliers and 1930s-style lamps reflecting off silver trophies won by the local
Rifle Club give everything a warm glow. Unfortunately, heavy Plexiglas doors
greet you as you enter each of the many corridors—a necessary fire precaution.
All the rooms are delightful, with royal gold and blue carpets and drapes which
would probably be considered gaudy if they didn't seem to fit in with the overall
style. Traditional rooms share bathrooms; Colonial rooms come with a deep tub
in the bathroom (with a noisy fan) and no view to speak of; Deluxe Colonial
rooms have a balcony and mountain views; Premier rooms have Jacuzzis and
great views; and the suites are fit for a duke and duchess. Dinner here costs A$100
(US$65) per person, and the full breakfast is one of the best I've encountered.
15-47 Katoomba St., Katoomba (P.O. Box 28, NSW 2780). & 02/4782 1111. Fax [phone]. www.the
carrington.com.au. 63 units. Traditional rooms Mon-Thurs A$100 (US$65), Fri-Sat A$155 (US$101); colonial
rooms Mon-Thurs A$150 (US$98), Fri-Sat A$225 (US$166); deluxe colonial rooms Mon-Thurs A$185

Finds