Mount Victoria

After our Zig-Zag Railways train journey we checked into our hotel (Guesthouse) in Mount Victoria, a great little village on the western side of the mountain range. Then on to another (local) hotel for a beer. And what a great bar they had! Made from very old, thick, wooden doors complete with old iron fittings (see below).

Mount Victoria is a small township with a relatively large number of historic buildings and attractions including the old Post Office, a Hall which is used as a (retro) cinema (see below), the Imperial Hotel (currently fenced off and undergoing renovation), and a museum at the railway station. The heritage listed station itself, is a must visit attraction.

Mount Victoria Station

Opened in 1868 and restored to its former glory, this station is a fantastic example of the Victorian era railways in Australia. They really have done a great job on this one. Check out the photos below. 

A different angle on the photos above but the place looks exactly like it would have done apart from the odd stainless steel or plastic bin (now) and the digital clocks at the end of the platforms.

Mount Vic Flicks

Another great little place worth a visit is the Mount Vic Flicks. The old cinema in Mount Victoria. 

There wasn’t the best choice of movies when we were there but I had to see it inside so we booked something anyway. We saw Priscilla (about Priscilla Presley and her relationship with Elvis). A well trodden story for sure but what the heck. Not great and certainly not to Dani’s taste. When the final credits rolled he punched the air in pleasure hahaa…

I have no idea how these places still keep going but I am glad they do. This place is like going back in time for fans of film and cinema in general. You can even get a cup of tea at the snack bar served in a real cup  – not one of those paper cups you see everyone walking around with. I kid you not! Fantastic. 

Mount Victoria is a great place to visit; and stay. I can thoroughly recommend it. Like all of the small towns and villages in the Blue Mountains it is a perfect launch pad for plenty of walking tracks and spectacular views. 

Hanging Rock

One of the best walks and most spectacular sights in the area is Hanging Rock. (Not to be confused with that picnic sight; the subject of a famous Aussie film in the 1970s. I believe that place is somewhere in the state of Victoria.)

A few kilometres east of Mount Victoria, just before the town of Blackheath, the trail begins and rolls up and down for over 5 kms. At the end of the trail is a steep cliff face which contains the “hanging rock” in question.

Sadly the weather was not ideal when we did this walk. The mist rising from the valley floor below largely clouded the view although it was still just visible, and perhaps somehow a little more spooky…  

Even without being able to see the valley floor below this is an experience not for the feint hearted. Certainly not the best place for anyone afraid of heights. There are no barriers or fences to protect you!

Please feel free to share these posts with friends, family and colleagues. Also if you enjoy these posts please remember to hit the “like” button and subscribe/sign-up for future posts.