It’s been more than 40 years since hotel owner Gary Crockett put on a festive feast to ease the homesick pangs of a group of Irish travellers waxing nostalgic as snowflakes danced on the wind one freezing July evening.

Hotel Mountain Heritage continues the tradition of Australia’s first Yulefest celebration to this day, with tables laden with traditional fare, decorations and atmosphere you expect to see at Christmas.

Explore a taste of the Blue in your own kitchen with this mouthwatering Yulefest recipe, created by Wintergarden Restaurant’s head chef, Saran Sasikumar.

Ever wondered what that beautiful rural patch seen through the windows of the Hydro Majestic Hotel is, its rolling green hills often swathed in mist that swirls around the sandstone escarpment? Megalong Valley is one of the Blue Mountains’ best kept secrets, and a great place to spend a day or even a whole weekend.

What if there was a way to experience the wildness of the big Blue – without sacrificing comfort?

By Caro Ryan