Home away from home: The Gumnuts is a 1920s timber cottage filled with charm

Julie Gibbs is in the business of telling stories. She’s worked in book publishing for over 30 years and makes the type of books you return to again and again, including the work of cookbook authors Maggie Beer, Stephanie Alexander and Kylie Kwong.

The making of a good book takes time, patience, hard work and quiet reflection and central to Gibbs’ creative process is her 1920s Blue Mountains timber cottage, The Gumnuts.

“I’ve made so many books in this special place, I’ve tested recipes in the kitchen and read manuscripts on the sofa, so much of my publishing history is in the house” she says.

Gibbs purchased the property 20 years ago and has loved it ever since. It’s filled with personal treasures and genuine charm that you can’t manufacture overnight, which has served as a major drawcard since June 2019 when she made the decision to share her home with others.

“Friends were like, ‘Are [you] going to remove the treasure?’ and I thought, what’s the point of that? Everything would just end up sitting in boxes in the garage and I couldn’t imagine the cottage feeling like home without our favourite things.”

Her instincts proved right because The Gumnuts has been booked every weekend since she opened its doors.

“I think people loved that it really was someone’s treasured house developed over time and not something we just threw together,” she says.

“But everything changed after the Blue Mountains fires, bookings were cancelled and dried up altogether – Blackheath and the neighbouring towns have really felt the social effects in the aftermath.”

Gibbs says the region is a thriving, supportive local community.

“They are part of my life up here and I know the community are desperate for visitors and to look after people.”

A visit to The Gumnuts is sure to delight from the moment you walk in. Gibbs, an avid home cook, leaves all the makings of homemade scones on the kitchen bench for guests.

“I’ve got Nadine Ingram’s Flour and Stone book open up at the scone recipe and measured out all the ingredients, all you have to do is mix, bake and you can have scones within 45 minutes of arriving.”

For Gibbs it’s all about creating a space for visitors to feel the same way she has felt spending time in her country house.

“I want people to feel like they can live a simple life here with everything they need in this faithful, little house.

“Every time I leave, my heart has this big tug because I’m not ready to go and I always think you should leave somewhere wanting to come back, it’s a good sign.”

While in Blackheath

Blackheath General Store

Your one-stop shop for breakfast, lunch, pastries and a chicken soup that has prompted people to travel from afar. Homewares, art classes and soon-to-be launched cooking classes are also offered.

Gleebooks

Blackheath’s independent bookshop is the place to pick up the latest literary sensation along with illustrated books, children’s books and the classics. Load yourself up with some paperbacks.

Black Cockatoo Bakery

Stop off at this adorable bakery in Katoomba on the way up the Great Western Highway. Buy a loaf of organic emmer sourdough and scoff a cinnamon bun before tackling the last 10 kilometres of your journey.

Fumo

Drive up to the mountains or catch the train from the city to experience slow cooking in maximum comfort. Open Friday through to Sunday, the menu is a mix of modern Asian flavours.