Drive about an hour and a half west on the Great Western Highway from Sydney and you will reach the foothills of Blue Mountains, the town of Katoomba.

A bustling little mountain village full of character and tourists from all over the world.

Almost the end of Winter in Sydney the temperature hovering around five degrees, the wind chill made it feel like freezing. There are plenty of cafes for hot coffee or hot chocolate and good restaurants for lunch catering for all tastes – local, Japanese, Korean, Chinese even Tibetan!

You might even find a resident Cockatoo resting on the restaurant notice board.

We love Katoomba, and Blue Mountains.

We have been coming here for two decades, a truely Alpine village short drive from Sydney with her history, charm and heritage intact.

Drive a little towards the the mountain and you arrive at the theatre to view the vast forest and the famous Three Sisters peaks in the distance.

Further down the tourist trek Scenic Skyway is worth a ride too.