Ask Roz Blue Mountains

03/03/2025

NEWS: BMCC buys Landmark building at Echo Point

The Gazette advises: Blue Mountains City Council has bought the only privately-owned building at Echo Point in Katoomba.

The Lookout, which houses a cafe/restaurant and retail shops, was sold for $16.2 million, with council saying it will supply a consistent source of funds for years to come.

It is part of a long-term council strategy to find ways to increase revenue without having to raise rates.

The mayor, said the strategic purchase, finalised this month, was an important one for the community.

He said the price tag was well below market value.

"This is a substantial investment, and one we do not take lightly. After exhaustive due diligence, we firmly believe it is a sound financial decision and one that will provide a recurrent stream of revenue and associated benefits for our city.

"It's also important to understand that funding this purchase has no impact on council's capital works budget, which is reserved for maintaining critical infrastructure, including roads."

In 2022, council set up a revenue taskforce to look at ways to generate more income. One of the suggestions was to invest in commercial, money-making property.

"The Blue Mountains has limited capacity for further development and a relatively small rates base. Simply put, we can't generate the revenue we need to maintain things like roads, buildings, pools and libraries from rates alone. The increasing cost of repeated natural disasters also means alternative revenue sources are needed."

Council will borrow $14 million to fund the purchase. The cost of servicing the loan will be $1.4m/year and the tenancies bring in $1.7m annually. With operating overheads, the profit to council should be $173,000 a year, which will be used to pay for infrastructure upgrades and improved services.

FULL story: https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/8903106

03/03/2025

Now that's what you call a Chicken Burger 😁 The Wayzgoose Diner is open until 5pm 7 days a week.

Sometimes, you just need a good fried chicken burger. Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavour — this one hits the spot. 😋🍔

03/03/2025

This sounds like a plan.

The cool and mist is back in Mount Victoria, and we are open for breakfast and lunch until 2:30pm, and our lovely Annabelle in our Cafe today.
Delicious!

vaguesthouse.com
Ph 0459 844 345

03/03/2025

Matthew and the Police need our help.

02/03/2025

𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬, perhaps one of the best you'll see. This is Rob Moore at our contributor's Narrow Neck sunrise on this day last year, photographed by Troy Hovenden. Troy captured the very essence, mood, feel of the scene, the time of day and Rob's passion for capturing the right shot. The key to every photo is composition, and this nails it.

Be sure to follow Troy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/troy_kh_photography
Be sure to follow Rob on Instagram: www.instagram.com/robmoore8935

𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺:
𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙄𝘼 & 𝘼𝙇𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙏 𝙂𝙐𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙎𝙀 🛌🏻 🍽️
V&A Cafe - Thur - Sun
Thur-Fri 10.30am - 2.30pm
Sat-Sun 8am - 2.30pm
Restaurant - Fri - Sat 6.00pm - 9.00pm
A blend of history and contemporary luxury
Tel: 4787 1348
www.vaguesthouse.com

Victoria and Albert Guesthouse

02/03/2025

HEADS UP ~ A new luggage storage solution has launched in the heart of the Blue Mountains, providing travellers with a convenient and affordable option to store their bags before or after their accommodation stays, or even during day trips.

Blue Mountains Bag Storage is located just a minute's walk from Katoomba Train Station, making it an ideal choice for guests at local Airbnbs and hotels, especially since many Airbnbs do not offer luggage storage. This service allows visitors to explore the stunning Blue Mountains without the hassle of carrying their luggage around.

While some hotels may offer luggage storage, it’s often more practical to drop off your bags right after checking out and enjoy your day without the back-and-forth trip to your accommodation.

Affordable Rates: Storage rates start at just $12 per day, increasing to $20 for larger suitcases, making it a budget-friendly solution for both short and long-term needs.
Guests at No.14 Lovel St can benefit from free baggage storage until 2 PM, followed by special discounted rates until closing time.

With this new service, travellers can fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Blue Mountains without worrying about their belongings. Whether you're on a day trip or an extended stay, this solution ensures a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

HERE: 7 Katoomba St, Katoomba NSW 2780

MORE info: www.bluemountainsbagstorage.com/arfb

02/03/2025

Mist and a bit of gently rain is rolling in right now in Leura/Katoomba. How is it where you are?
_________________________
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
93 Nominations,7,000+ votes
See who the winners are
www.askroz.news/Winners-BM-Best-Cafe-2025

02/03/2025

AUTUMN COLOURS ~ Did you love "autumn colours"? We have a group just for that. Enjoy and share your own Autumn photos there.

Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluemountainsautumncolours

Photo by © Philip Johnson Photography

02/03/2025

We are famous 😁😁😁😁 Quality Tourism Australia mentioned us in a post about the Australian Tourism Awards that we are finalists in.

Ask Roz and Blue Mountains Day Tours are hoping for a win at the Australia Tourism Awards later this month.

Congratulations to the 2024 finalists for Tourism Retail, Hire & Services! 🎉 Sponsored by Finn Roache Lawyers, these businesses go beyond traditional tourism, delivering exceptional retail, hire, and service-based experiences that play a vital role in enhancing the tourism experience.

⭐Ask Roz Blue Mountains
⭐Broome Weddings & Events
⭐Copper Trails Bike Hire
⭐Go Adventure Nagambie
⭐POP Canberra
⭐Sonia Jones Travel
⭐Uluru Audio Guide
⭐Younique Stays

Which finalist is your favourite? 👇

02/03/2025

HISTORIC SNAPSHOT ~ A wonderful colourised view of The Carrington Hotel Katoomba in 1927. It has a certain charm about it. LOVE those cars.

𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺:
𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧
Hayley Clifton, Chapman Real Estate
Appraisals - Sales - Purchases
7 days a week 0406 966 770
www.facebook.com/RealEstateBlueMountains
________________________
𝙈𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙎 𝙒𝘼𝙇𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙎
Katoomba, Leura & Mount Victoria walking tours
Call: 0410 600 224
www.facebook.com/MountainsTalesNSW

02/03/2025

PEOPLE ARE NICE ~ Today we tried our "social experiment" with the chess and checkers sets in the "Prince Henry Picnic Area," beside the newly reopened Katoomba Kiosk. There are several concrete picnic tables, three of which have two chess boards built in. Here: https://w3w.co/enlisting.snipped.withdrawing

We upgraded both the chessmen and the checker pieces to larger ones.

WE ARE SO EXCITED that each time we visit, all the pieces are set up correctly. Love it.

These tables had been neglected for years, possibly decades, and were in an appalling condition, so on November 29th, 2023, we decided to clean one of the boards, which looked amazing. See the photo of the board's original condition.

The last time we did it was on the 25th - 26th January.

Each time we visited, we were so pleased to see people playing chess, and to our surprise, all the pieces were still there and set up.

After today's success, we'll do that again on other days. Who says public spaces can't be interactive and fun? Chess in nature - what could be better?

We hope that the Katoomba Kiosk takes the initiative and sets up a few chess sets for the patrons to enjoy.

2023 post: https://www.facebook.com/AskRozBlueMountains/posts/pfbid0L3cBpqzTVY9qTjwzm3FzX3UibiGxwohobgDhgMAb7p7RtYsoQDm1wAZfLE2UkqTGl
________________________
𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘 & 𝗗𝗢
Create your own itinerary 📚📖
https://www.askroz.news/BM-Experiences

02/03/2025

STUNNING ~ Each month we catch up with our amazing contributors. We are so lucky to have such talented contributors. We hope you enjoy their work as much as we do. Over the coming days, we'll be sharing some of their amazing photos.

We had a great morning capturing sunrise at Lincolns Rock Wentworth Falls. It was a fantastic early morning, followed by breakfast at Mountain High Pies, Wentworth Falls. It was a cloudless sky that was a bit hazy.

In no particular order, we have Michael Connolly, Rob Moore, Despina Caruana, Logan Spice, Philip Johnson, Troy Hovenden, Philip Johnson, Annie Hand, Brenda Hill and Edna Frougas. Our numbers were lower this month due to birthdays, illness, travel and work.

Be sure to follow Brett on Instagram: www.instagram.com/green.halghphotography
Be sure to follow Logan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loganspicephotography
Be sure to follow Troy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/troy_kh_photography
Be sure to follow Michael on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mountainswalks
Be sure to follow Rob on Instagram: www.instagram.com/robmoore8935
Be sure to follow Brenda on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrendaHillPhotography
Be sure to follow Annie on Instagram: www.instagram.com/annie.hand08
Be sure to follow Philip on Instagram: www.instagram.com/pjohs1627
Be sure to follow Despina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/despina_caruana
Be sure to follow Edna on Facebook: www.facebook.com/edna.frougas and on Instagram: www.instagram.com/edna.frougas

Photos: © the photographer

01/03/2025

It’s a stunning view from Eagle Hawke Lookout just now. The mist in the valley is rising and it looks amazing.
_________________________
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
93 Nominations,7,000+ votes
See who the winners are
www.askroz.news/Winners-BM-Best-Cafe-2025

01/03/2025

The Leura Produce & Artisan Market is on today from 9am - 1pm. See you there.

01/03/2025

𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is an amazing heart-shaped Phantom Falls over Narrow Neck. We were lucky to catch the rose-gold glow of the sandstone cliff colouring half of the falls.

𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺:
𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙄𝘼 & 𝘼𝙇𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙏 𝙂𝙐𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙎𝙀 🛌🏻 🍽️
V&A Cafe - Thur - Sun
Thur-Fri 10.30am - 2.30pm
Sat-Sun 8am - 2.30pm
Restaurant - Fri - Sat 6.00pm - 9.00pm
A blend of history and contemporary luxury
Tel: 4787 1348
www.vaguesthouse.com

01/03/2025

HISTORIC SNAPSHOT ~ Wentworth Falls Bowling Green in 1935s, looking east.

𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘺:
𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧
Hayley Clifton, Chapman Real Estate
Appraisals - Sales - Purchases
7 days a week 0406 966 770
www.facebook.com/RealEstateBlueMountains
________________________
𝙈𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙎 𝙒𝘼𝙇𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙎
Katoomba, Leura & Mount Victoria walking tours
Call: 0410 600 224
www.facebook.com/MountainsTalesNSW

Source: Blue Mountains City Library

01/03/2025

BUSH AWARENESS ~ The Bullrout (Notesthes robusta), also commonly called Freshwater Stonefish or Kroki, is a pale yellowish to dark-brown coloured fish that lives in tidal estuaries and slow-flowing streams in eastern Australia, like the Nepean River.

HEADS UP: A puncture wound from one of these spines is EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL.

Its spines are venomous. It has 13 dorsal soft rays, 11 a**l soft rays and its spines have venom glands on them that can be lethal if injected into the bloodstream of humans or larger animals like dogs or cats.

MORE info: https://www.askroz.com.au/blog/the-bullrout-an-ugly-but-deadly-fish

The Bullrout is an ugly but deadly fish that lives in tidal estuaries and slow-flowing streams in eastern Australia, like the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers. Its spines are venomous, and it can grow up to 60 cm in length. The Bullrout is a bottom-dwelling fish, and its diet consists mainly of small crustaceans and insects. It swims by sweeping its head from side to side and sucking in prey when it brushes against it with their tentacles on their snouts. It feeds at night, or if there is little food available during the day.

If you are unlucky enough to be stung by one of its spines, you will experience severe pain, swelling, and nausea. In some cases, the venom can even cause paralysis or death.

So, if you're swimming in Australian waters, be sure to keep an eye out for this dangerous creature! It's always best to take a local guide with you when fishing so they can show you which species are safe to eat.

It has a mottled brown body with a yellowish tinge, and its spines are venomous. The best way to spot a Bullrout is to look for its spines. If you see one, be careful! Its spines will inject the poison into you if they get too close. Bullrouts feed on crustaceans, small fish, and insects in freshwater streams. They also live in tidal estuaries and slow-flowing streams in eastern Australia.

TREATMENT
If you step on a Bullrout, the first thing you should do is to remain calm. If you panic, your heart rate will increase and the venom will spread more quickly through your body. For immediate relief of pain associated with the sting of a Bullrout, immerse the affected area in hot water.

Second, remove any clothing or jewellery that might constrict the area around the wound.

Third, wash the wound with soap and water to help prevent infection. Fourth, apply a cold compress to the area to help reduce swelling.

Finally, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This article is for entertainment purposes only.

Melissa Ellison
________________________
𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗲𝗠𝗔𝗚
No.1 Visitor’s Guide
Find great things to see & do
www.askroz.news/ARBM-Visitor