FEATURE
Images: Heritage Homestead Inset: Wolgan Valley
‘We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love…and then we return home’.
The Australian proverb, proudly displayed on Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa’s website is an indication of what lies ahead for those who venture into the 4000 acres of rugged wilderness that make up this special world.
A mere three hour journey transports travellers from bustling Sydney to an altogether magical world. Nestled between two National Parks and bordering the magnifi cent Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, observing, learning, growing and fi nally falling in love are almost guaranteed.
The history of the resort is impressive. The central focus – the 1832 Heritage Homestead – has been meticulously restored. The original land grant was given to European settler William Walker, who built the homestead in 1830. Charles Darwin visited the Homestead in 1836 during his trip to Australia, staying as
a guest of the Walker family in their nearby Wallerawang Estate before visiting Wolgan Valley. Equally impressive is the resort’s carbon neutral certifi cate and commitment to actively protecting its surrounding habitat and indigenous wildlife species.
That famed luxury travel word ‘immersion’ is fully adhered to and at Wolgan Valley it means immersion with the land. Activities range from the established - horse riding, guided walks, fl y-fi shing, golf, regional food & wine tours and mountain biking - to the specialist. Knowledgeable fi eld guides can take curious travellers on a wildlife safari to indulge in the best views of the Blue Mountains and peer at Australian wildlife. Keen botanists, bird watchers and naturalists can marvel at the vast variety of fl ora, fauna and bird species that captured Charles Darwin’s imagination. Inquisitive travellers can also explore the nocturnal life of the Australian Bush. As long as the fl ashing white eyes of these animals do not frighten the life out of you, this activity will open the door to those secretive animals of the night.
And fi nally after as much exploring and activity as humanly possible, as the proverb says, we return home. If love was too high an expectation, even the most hardened traveller will have learnt something and grown just that little bit from their time in this inspiring place.
For more information, please see
www.wolganvalley.com or visit Tourism Australia on stand B226 at ILTM Asia 2012.
APRIL2011
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