Upon landing in Sydney, Australia, bright and early, we were picked up by a private car and driver and taken to the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, en route to the One & Only Wolgan Valley Resort. The Three Sisters are an unusual rock formation on the northern escarpment of the Jamison Valley. Located near the town of Katoomba, they are one of the Blue Mountains’ best-known landmarks, towering above the valley. The region is called the Blue Mountains due to the haze created by the densely populated forests of oil-bearing eucalyptus trees.
We stopped at a great visitor center, which offered a wealth of information about the area, as well as toilets and a gift shop with small snacks. There are a few things I always try to do while in Australia: have a meat pie, enjoy a Tim Tam cookie, and savor some type of Asian-influenced cuisine. What better way to start my trip than with a meat pie and a view of the Three Sisters—all before 10:30 a.m.!
By the end of day one, I already felt truly spoiled doing my job. My villa at the resort seemed almost bigger than my house, complete with my own private pool. The king bed was luxurious, and the telescope in the library offered spectacular views of the entire Wolgan Valley. I spent the afternoon on a 4WD tour, spotting native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and wombats. I was determined to see a platypus before I left.
We ended the day with the Wildlife and Sundowners Tour, where we watched the sun begin its descent on the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sandstone escarpments. The field guides popped open bottles of wine and set out an array of cheeses, meats, dried fruits, and nuts as we toasted to the day’s adventures. With a glass of wine in hand, I listened to the sounds of native birds, watched wild kangaroos hopping across the grasslands, and allowed all my senses to absorb the wonders of the past 12 hours. That night, I slept like a princess.
Day two was another full day of learning about Wolgan Valley and its history. We began with a nature walk in the crisp morning air, exploring the bush grasslands and pristine creeks where I finally spotted a platypus. Next, we embarked on a historical tour to learn about the original homestead and the challenges faced by early settlers. Afterward, we enjoyed a light lunch, followed by a visit to the spa for a relaxing massage. Feeling utterly at peace, I was tempted to curl up and bask in nature’s beauty, but with only a few days here, I wanted to see as much as possible.
Each villa comes equipped with bicycles, so we took a short bike ride around the property, followed by a refreshing dip in our pool. That evening, we were treated to a degustation dinner in the Wolgan Dining Room, featuring fresh ingredients sourced either on the property or from the surrounding region. Despite feeling delightfully full, there was still one more adventure awaiting—the Nocturnal Wildlife Spotting Tour. Equipped with night vision goggles, we departed in a special 4WD outfitted with large spotlights. During the 90-minute tour, we spotted possums, wombats, wallabies, and owls. With my dinner settled and a heart full of wonder, I drifted off into another blissful sleep.
Day three began with an amazing breakfast. I opted for homemade muesli (Australian granola) with fresh fruits and local honey, along with slices of delicious Australian bacon. There were so many types of bread that I tried a few, each paired with different locally made jams. With just an hour left before it was time to leave, I took a short walk and returned to my villa to pack for my journey back to Sydney.
The One & Only Wolgan Valley Resort is an incredibly special place, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a true Australian luxury bush experience. It was the perfect way to begin a vacation after a 14-hour flight from the States.