Eleven things you HAVE to do in Sydney on a trip Down Under
All this scenery makes for hungry work, and there’s no better place to enjoy a bite to eat than Leura Garage.You might want to call ahead and book because locals visit this laid-back cafe, filling its tables every day.
A former mechanic’s workshop, Leura Garage still has a vintage car-hoist – now used as a wine rack – and plant pots made from stacked tyres.The food’s pretty good too: try the pizza, or share some calamari for a lighter bite.
Leura Garage jumpstarts hospitality careers
Would-be baristas, waiters and bar staff can charge up their hospitality careers locally, trained and ready to work close to home at one of the region’s best restaurants.
The Jumpstart program at Leura Garage gives practical, real-life training from experienced staff, underpinned by formal in-house training by an external registered training organisation.
Restaurant owner James Howarth said the program not only provided young people of the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas such as Penrith, Lithgow and the Hawkesbury training and work locally, it offered staff for the local hospitality industry.
5 Reasons to Visit the Blue Mountains—The Remote Locals-Only Hideaway Just Outside of Sydney
Sydney is often touted as the ultimate stop on any Australian itinerary, and with good reason. It’s hard not to be totally enamored by a city when it’s home to the world’s most famous opera house and hugged by the world’s largest natural harbor, capturing the best of the arts and coastal living in one locale. Due it’s advantageous positioning on the coast, Sydneysiders are constantly attracted to the ocean, and almost every beach has a seawater pool for locals to enjoy, like the iconic Bondi Baths, which is a must on any trip to the city. But unbeknownst to most visitors, there’s a local-centric hot spot just outside of town, debunking typical notions of Sydney as a beach-only destination. Less than two hours to the west, the haze of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area begins.
Hydro Majestic Hotel: Mountain airs and graces
When entrepreneurial retailer Mark Foy opened the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains in 1904, he introduced what was arguably Australia’s first “paddock to plate” fine dining experience. Through the ingenious use of a flying fox linking the top of the escarpment with the rich grazing lands of the Megalong Valley 500 metres below, farm produce was sent up daily to the hotel’s restaurant, ensuring the menu featured only the freshest, best-quality home-grown vegetables, fruit and meat available.
Fast-forward 112 years, and Foy’s seemingly revolutionary practices are once again in vogue, with the Blue Mountains increasingly recognised as a viable destination for foodies. Tourists and daytrippers from Sydney now visit the mountains not just for their wilderness walks and sensational views, but for the bustling cafes, fine restaurants, local delicacies and even the burgeoning wine scene. And what better way to refuel after a challenging bushwalk than over a delicious meal featuring locally-sourced produce presented with innovation and passion?
