| Leura is now as popular for visitors
to the Blue Mountains as Katoomba itself. The area boasts many gardens which are
privately owned yet open at selected times of the year to the public. Leura Garden
Festival and Leura Village Fair are popular events held in October each year.
Leura
Mall itself is a treasure with many fine coffee shops, restaurants and galleries.
Visitors to Leura are guaranteed to experience the relaxed nature of the town.
The Blue Mountains City Council has ensured that any developments within Leura
fall into the strict guidelines of the town with heritage colours used throughout.
The natural wonders of Leura can be discovered via the many walks. A great
place to start is Sublime Point Road. Here you will find one of the worlds
most spectacular golf courses as well as the popular Fairmont Resort. At
the other end of Sublime Point Road is Sublime Point at 900m above sea level,
you are certain to stand in awe of the view from this point.
At the end of Everglades Avenue is Historic Everglades. Everglades Gardens is
owned by the National Trust and is open to the public all year round.
Explore the gardens of Everglades to discover sandstone terraces, cool climate
trees and shrubs, views of the Jamison Valley, as well as fabulous picnic areas.
First constructed in the early 1930s, Everglades demonstrates fine
examples of early Australian landscaping designed by Paul Sorensen. The bridge
over the Great Western Highway between Wentworth Falls and Leura has been named
in honour of Paul Sorensen. The gardens are picture perfect in any season.
Enter Gordon Falls Reserve to experience breathtaking views of the Jamison
Valley from Gordon Falls Lookout where you can also view Olympian Rock. A drive
along Olympian Parade will lead you to Bridal Veil Lookout.
Leura
also hosts one of Australia's finest Toy and Railway Museums. The museum is
located
within the Leuralla mansion. The museum features Australias largest collection
of toys, dolls, teddy bears and model railways - located on the corner of Olympian
Parade and Balmoral Road.
Opposite the Toy and Railway Museum is Olympian
Park featuring a natural amphitheatre with spectacular views. Along Cliff
Drive, bush walks can lead you to the Pool of Siloam and Lyrebird Dell while the
famous Prince Henry Cliff Walk will take you to the spectacular Katoomba Falls.
Also along Cliff Drive you will discover Leura Cascades. Leura Cascades
is a peaceful setting for a family picnic or BBQ. From the Cascades you can leisurely
walk to several waterfalls including Leura, Linda, Lila and Bridal Veil Falls.
You can also walk to Copelands Lookout and Flying Fox Lookout. Attention
to detail with sheltered picnic areas and a playground for children makes Leura
Cascades a perfect picnic location. For
those who wish to experience total seclusion, the road north of Leura, Mount Hay
Road, takes you to the beautiful untouched Mount Hay region.
Leura has
been given the name of The Jewel in the Mountains Crown and is also
known as "The Garden Village". The name Leura itself is Aboriginal
for lava. Many volcanic stones have been found in the area.
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