Leura Blue Mountains Houses & Gardens
Arcadian Aspects Seeger by Design

Leura - A Sanctuary for Many

From the turn of the century, inventive and creative people were drawn to the Blue Mountains, some to escape the depressive crowding of Sydney, others looking for a new opportunity and many to recover their health.

For many, time spent in Leura meant leisure and recreation. Golf became a local pastime when a group of Leura enthusiasts hired professionals to lay out a nine-hole course in the rolling hills not far from the cliff edge. Advertisements invited the tourists to enjoy "golfing, croquet and tennis above the clouds." Leisure, apart from the view, directly affected the price of rentals and those properties for sale.

Leura History

Creation of tracks for bush walking led to preservation and conservationism and a greater awareness of the life of the Aboriginal communities. Hikers coming up from Leura Falls found respite when the Leura Kiosk serving tea and sweets was built above the track. Today, Solitary Restaurant & Kiosk still serve bush walkers satisfying food overlooking a magnificent view.

With the increase in visitors to Leura, food and services were now necessary. Newspaper publisher Peter Giles Hart settled in Leura with his wife, Rosanna Knight, who owned the Hurlstone guesthouse on The Mall. In 1910, Hart established the Federal Printing Works on The Mall, now Wayzgoose Cafe.

The Chateau Napier, another impressive guesthouse, opened in 1910, situated on the highest site of Leura, the north-eastern corner of Bathurst and The Mall intersection. Owners, the McSweeney family, made certain their three-storey hotel offered a luxurious retreat, and Mr McSweeney, who was a patron of the arts, arranged for concerts at the Chateau. The Chateau burned in the 1950s bush fire.

Between 1910 and 1918, The Mall was paved. Shops now included grocers, butchers and a mercantile store. Real estate companies, architects and builders occupied the corner of Railway Parade and The Mall. By 1918 the shopfronts looked much as they do today.

Leura History NSW

Today while many locals will disagree on the merits of a village filled to overflowing with shoppers, big buses and cars, Leura's economic history was and continues to be determined by those seeking holiday retreats in the mountains. And as in time past, creativity continues to flourish among Leura's more recent residents, moving up from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Commercial Leura thrives and is a multi-million dollar enterprise centered around The Mall and Megalong Street, the B&B accommodation and the stylish resorts.

Garden Design

Arcadian Aspects Design Leura

Ph/Fax:02 4784 1166
Mobile:0411 396 140

Arcadian Aspects offers a wide range of garden services including consultation, design, renovation and installation as well as on-going garden maintenance. Barry's landscape philosophy, while informed by the today's restrictions -- garden size and financial -- is to remind people that there is still such a thing as 'the natural world' and that they are a part of it.

Searching through the Arcadian Aspects website is like reading Barry. His love for design, for gardens and his affection for his Leura community comes readily through.

"Good design always satisfies!" says Barry. While true, it is his bigger-than-life personality that connects Barry with his clients.

Houses in Leura & Blue Mountains

Theo Poulos Real Estate Leura

Address:2 Katoomba St Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia
Phone:02 4782 1888

Celebrating more than 50 years of service, the agency is still owned and managed by the Poulos family. The agency offers full service whether residential, commercial or business. Peter, son of the founder grew up in the area and learned the business from his dad.

Serving needs across the Blue Mountains, the staff act upon core values of ethical behaviour and honest dealings with people. To know Peter is to understand those values and his love for the mountain region.

Art & Design Studios

Canfield Studio Leura

Address:11a Craigend Street  
Phone:02 4782 3000

In the back garden of Argyll House accommodation, the Canfield Studio is home to local artist, Jane Canfield. Open upon request, the Japanese-style studio houses Jane's unique paintings of the Blue Mountains villages and other city scenes. The studio affords one of those rare opportunities to see the work and creative space of a prize-winning artist.

Canfield Studio is only a short two minute walk to The Mall.

Seeger By Design Leura

Address:2 Waratah Road Wentworth Falls
Phone:0412 445 660

Seeger By Design, a creative consultancy specialises in interior spaces and Director Sophie Seeger heads up the team. We're amazed at the energy and excitement Sophie, along with her team brings to her clients. The finished product is always remarkable.

The artistic clarity and the design skills this group brings to a job -- no matter the size -- are a bit of a mystery to us. What is clear is their practical attention down to the smallest detail albeit advice for paint colours, furnishing fabrics, or preparing your home for a sale.

Words do not do justice to the interior results this group produces, so a click to their website is a must.

On a final note, the Design Institute of Australia has invited Sophie and two other artist designers to participate in The Eco Collective, a group which "designs with integrity on sustainable fabrics". Quite a vote of confidence!

Seeger by Design