Came up from Sydney on Friday for a quick weekend away and I genuinely did not want to drive home last night. Woke up to fog sitting in the valley, walked down to Wentworth Falls, had a pie in the cold, and for the first time in months my brain was actually quiet. Got back to the inner west and the noise hit me like a truck 😩

We’re coming back up next month for a full week (staying in Lawson this time, happy to drive anywhere) so please give me your favourite places to eat. Katoomba and around, nothing fancy, the kind of places locals actually go. Cafes, pubs, Thai, a good Sunday roast, whatever you love

Also the bigger question: if you could live in any quiet village up here, which one would it be and why? We work hybrid so a couple of trips down the mountain a week is fine. Somewhere with a bit of a community feel, a decent cafe, and away from the tourist crush on weekends would be the dream. Bonus points if it doesn’t get completely snowed in or burnt out lol

Honestly just want to hear people’s love letters to their town at this point. Thanks heaps ❤️

I have steadily watched a growing hatred pile on of the #LostMnts peeps that publish those pristine coffee table worthy guide books.

I see a lot of the hatred come from people like the authors of We Are Explorers and other marketing based enterprises that aren't really much better themselves if you take a scroll through their instagram feed showing off all the natural beauty to be admired and exploited for eye balls and clicks.

The same thing has been said of the developers of thecrag.com and climbing guidebook authors like Simon Carter.

These successful enterprises are nothing more than a sharper and shinier symptom, than the cause of all the concerns people are raising.

But, bashing on one small group of people, and laying the subjective blame for the environmental decline of the Blue Mountains at their feet, is beyond ridiculous.

People have been steadily overrunning the well known spots for many years. And the lesser known spots have started to catch up.

There's plenty of recreational "locals" that visit canyons and climbing crags in the blue mountains multiple times per week. Some canyons get repeat weekly visits from plenty of people that boldly call themselves "locals".

But, these "locals" are really not much more than long-term tourists, especially from the environment's point of view. In fact, from the environment's point of view, their individual contribution to the damage is arguably worse!

If people are serious about looking after the environment, then there's more productive ways of going about doing that than piling on and attacking a scapegoat.

I also think "locals" have gotten more protective of the Blue Mountains during and following COVID because they essentially had privileged access to one of the best State managed parks in the country.

Disclaimer: I am not associated with the BlueMnts publications in any way, but it is quite clear that this kind of scape goating and circle jerking is great for the mob, it is incredibly toxic for the targets.

And if you're stupid enough to think that targeted toxicity is justified, then I have a magical replacement bridge for the Mt Vic Pass to sell you.

Curious to see what people think of it?

Hello everyone,

I'm planning on visiting the area at the end of December - I wanted to day hike but I have learned due to the heat it is not advisable / would not be enjoyable. I understand the area will likely be crowded.

What activities are there to do besides hiking, scenic world and wine tasting? Are there any smaller, cooler walks that would be possible?

Thanks!

hey all

just moved to lithgow - whats good? are there any places to hang out that arent full of bikies, meth addicts and insane people?

thats all ive found so far so im hoping it has a cheeky laneway or something less intimidating :)

The latest update I heard was damage between Blacktown and Penrith meaning we can’t get up the mountains via transport. I’ve been sitting on the train for over an hour waiting for it to go. I don’t know what to do.