Sunset In A Lost City

SHORT BREAKS ARTICLE by VIRGINIA ADDISON

Clouds fill the valleys and ethereal wisps swirl around the peaks as we clamber our way up the Newnes Plateau on the way to the Lost City.

No wonder it's lost, we joke as our sturdy Nissan Patrol 4WD bounces its way up the track. Indeed when we arrive we are the only people here on this wet Blue Mountains day, but the trip was more than worth it.

The Lost City is truly something wonderful. It is better for the soft damp light which adds to its magical quality. Strange rock structures emerge from the sandstone cliffs like something from our own Shangri-la.

Known as pagodas, they have been formed by years of erosion of rocks of differing resistance resulting in their layered appearance.

A huge amphitheatre with sheer sides has been weathered into the side of the valley adding to the splendour of these natural formations. It is a sacred place for the local Aborigines.

We are on a Misty Mountains 4WD adventure and our driver / guide Ken Rumble has already taken us up to the spectacular Hassan Walls lookout and through historic Hartley Vale.

Ken and wife Olga have lived in the mountains for 22 years and have been running Misty Mountain Tours since 1998. There is not much they don't know about the history and wildlife of the area.

The company offers a variety of half-day or full-day trips all around the mountains and Jenolan caves area and will tailor trips to suit customers if required. They can also arrange for you to take longer trips.

The Lost City trip is a favourite for a sunset treat and Ken has even organised a sumptuous dinner party there for a corporate group.
But part of the adventure is also some real four-wheel driving. After checking we are up to it, Ken heads the vehicle up a deep-rutted track that no self-respecting goat would attempt. It's an exciting ride as we crawl and bump our way up the steep slope to emerge at the top into a flurry of butterflies. Everywhere, butterflies. The mountains never fail to surprise.

And what better way to end a day of bush adventure than to sink into a big relaxing spa bath in your own apartment. Then settle back with a pre-dinner drink in your own cosy mountain-side lounge room.

Cascade Spa Apartments are only a year old and situated above a small office development at the top of Katoomba town. Overlooking a pretty bush park at the rear, they are comfortable and practically priced.

Our apartment has two bedrooms each with double beds (one-bedroom apartments are also available), a fully equipped kitchen (with all crockery, cutlery and utensils), dishwasher, TV, video, CD player, gas heating, comfy sofas, dining table and that big spa bath. There is also an iron and ironing board in the cupboard.

The apartments are fully self-catering so make sure you bring all your own food, including tea and coffee as nothing is supplied.

Cascade Spa Apartments make an ideal base for those wanting to spend a little longer in the area and are also perfect for those who travel in pairs but are not couples. And being only five minutes' walk from most of Katoomba's restaurants, there is no need to cook if you don't feel like it and no reason not to enjoy a tipple or two after a tough day trekking.