Megalong Valley

The Megalong Valley is a stunning area nestled below the towering sandstone cliffs and escarpments of the Blue Mountains. The valley is nestled between the Narrow Neck plateau and the Shipley plateau. Both afford majestic views over the stunning valley with its contrasting combination of native bush and rolling farmland.Elsewhere Retreat in the Megalong Valley

 

The name of the valley is understood to have come from the Gundungurra people and believed to translate to “Valley under the Rock”, nothwithstanding that, it is a particularly long valley and you could easily mistake the name to relate to its size.

 

The first European settlement was in 1838 with farmers grazing cattle and growing cops. Shale mines were also started as they were in many other parts of the Blue Mountains. At one stage, the Megalong Valley township had 200 people living in it. The township was located along the path of the Six Foot Track previously a bridal track from 1848 between Katoomba and the Jenolan Caves, now a popular walking and riding track with tourists today. Signs of the old township can still be seen today along the track including the old Megalong Valley cemetery.

 

 

The drive into the valley is via a picturesque winding road through stunning and well established rainforest. The temperature and humidity difference between the valley and the rainforest is amazing. Be sure to keep an eye out for lyre birds as you drive down into the valley. They are always running across the road in search of bigger and better bugs to eat. There are some lovely short walking tracks through the rainforest that allow you to better appreciate how special the area is – and how tall the towering cliff escarpments are.

 

As the rainforest ends and the valley begins to reveal itself, you’ll most like see kangaroos in the wide far-reaching fields and in and amongst the old sheds dotted around the place. These sheds used to store the produce from the Valley and protect the flying-fox  engines used to transfer the produce from the valley up to the Hydro Majestic hotel. In fact, the first owner of the Hydro Majestic Hotel owned much of the Megalong Valley and used it as his garden to feed the honeymooning guests stopping there on their way to the Six Foot track in the late 1800s.

 

So if you are looking for a lovely day trip or a special weekend getaway away where you can see the Blue Mountains from all perspectives, enjoy the local wildlife and fauna, horse ride, bushwalk, mountain bike ride – or just sit and do nothing, it’s hard to beat the Megalong Valley.


 

Please call us on 0417 275 113 or email us at louise@elsewhereretreat.com.au

Facebook
Instagram
Copyright © 2024 Elsewhere Retreat | Site Designed & Built by iVent Services