Since the 1970s, David Noble has witnessed an extraordinary improvement to the once polluted Hat Hill creek canyon in the Blue Mountains.
In July, the Hydro Majestic, Medlow Bath’s iconic hotel overlooking the Megalong Valley, celebrated a win at the annual Tourism Accommodation Association awards.
The hotel won the Hotel Chef of the Year, two years on from its $30 million refurbishment. Lilianfels Darley’s Restaurant in Katoomba was also on the winners’ list, taking out Regional Restaurant of the Year.
The locals have long benefited from the Blue Mountains’ high tourist profile but are keen for even more tourism-focused businesses in the region.
The weatherboard cottage at 7 Clarence Street, Leura.
In the Megalong Valley, land owners are creating a website to drive a more unified marketing approach for the area. Etch Real Estate agent Hugo Ortega says tourism is the area’s key attraction and there’s been plenty of activity over the last 24 months.
“The Hydro Majestic had its multi-million dollar renovation, the local vineyard Dry Ridge was sold at auction [for just over $1.8 million] and the Megalong Valley tearooms changed hands,” he says. “So the whole tone of the valley is to increase tourism and council is exploring rezoning from a rural to an SP3 tourist zoning.”
I’ve been here 25 years and it’s the strongest market I’ve seen.Alan Gregory, Ray White Blackheath
There are many tourist hotspots in the Blue Mountains with an SP3 zoning especially in Blackheath, Leura and Katoomba, and Ortega says rezoning the Megalong Valley would provide a validation of the existing trend for visitors who come to the area for tourist purposes.
48-82 Clarence Road, Blackheath, has two self-contained studios as well as the main home.
Meanwhile, agents report a flying start to the spring selling season.
“I’ve been here 25 years and it’s the strongest market I’ve seen,” says Ray White Blackheath agent Alan Gregory. “We’ve had an acute shortage of stock since the election and what we’re getting on for spring is selling fairly quickly. Traditional cottages are on and off the market in one weekend.”
McGrath Wentworth Falls agent Paul O’Riordan reports many properties listed in September sold within a week with Sydney buyers out in force, partially driven by better commute times.
Woodbridge, 936 Megalong Road, Megalong Valley, has escarpment views. Photo: supplied
“We’ve got two lanes all the way to Katoomba now, which has made a difference,” he says. “A lot of people are living up here and commuting back to the city two days a week.”
Woodbridge, 936 Megalong Road, Megalong Valley.
Woodbridge, 936 Megalong Road, Megalong Valley
$4 million
8 bed 6 bath 10 car
Built 1980s; renovated 2000
Land 121 hectares
Inspect by appointment
Agent Etch Real Estate, 0414 604 504
For sale by expressions of interest
Last traded for $1.15 million in 1996
Room for improvement: Revive the lapsed DA for 10 eco cottages.
See more at Domain
Agent Hugo Ortega is juggling calls from locals, commercial conglomerates and international buyers for Woodbridge, a park-like estate with escarpment views and scope for further development. Currently operating as luxury, self-catering accommodation, the property hosts a five-bedroom main home and three-bedroom guest cottage.
The main home is wrapped in a covered verandah and has four separate living areas including a generous dining room for large gatherings. Facilities include manicured gardens with rolling lawns, a tennis court and swimming pool, a six-hole bush golf course, a helicopter landing ground and grassed light aircraft landing strip.
Nestled in the heart of the Megalong Valley, Woodbridge is a popular wedding and group celebration venue and is also used for cattle agistment. “It’s probably under-capitalised as it is,” says Ortega. “It’s the best property in the area and lends itself to a high-level boutique opportunity.”
48-82 Clarence Road, Blackheath.
48-82 Clarence Road, Blackheath
$1.45 million
5 bed 3 bath 2 car
Built Circa 1920s; renovated 2000s
Land 3.16 hectares
Inspect Sat and Sun, 2pm-2.30pm
Agent Ray White Blackheath, 0418 654 779
Auction October 16
Last traded price unknown
Room for improvement: Investigate the option of sub-dividing the site, STCA.
See more at Domain
Full of character and offering the opportunity for holiday rental income, this charming property comprises a central, three-bedroom home with two adjoining, self-contained studios. Accessed by a semi-circular drive, the property features mature gardens, bushland and its own natural spring.
The main home has a cosy lounge room with open fireplace and a rustic kitchen with freestanding 900mm oven. The north-facing casual living room is bookended by al fresco decks and there is an upper level retreat with a north-facing balcony. Each of the studios has a spa en suite with picture windows looking over the bush.
7 Clarence Street, Leura.
7 Clarence Street, Leura
$690,000 – $750,000
3 bed 1 bath 1 car
Built 1912; renovated 1970s
Land 1081 square metres
Inspect Sat, 11am-11.30am
Agent McGrath Wentworth Falls/Leura, 0414 740 788
For sale by negotiation
Last traded for $172,000 in 1997
Room for improvement: A new kitchen is likely to add value.
See more at Domain
This kind of weatherboard cottage is on the shopping list for many holiday-home buyers and this particular property is beautifully presented with the potential to add further value. On a deep block within walking distance of Leura Mall, the house has adjoining living and dining rooms, each opening onto a verandah and the living room with a slow combustion fireplace.
A neat, eat-in gas kitchen probably dates back to the 1970s and includes a European-style laundry. There are three bedrooms, the largest with a built-in wardrobe, and a casual living room that could be used as a fourth bedroom. There’s also a north-facing studio with separate entry that could be converted into studio accommodation. A side driveway leads to a garage.