It's not just the Three Sisters that attract prestige buyers to the Blue Mountains

At roughly 90 minutes’ drive from the Sydney CBD, the villages of Leura and Wentworth Falls are inside the magic two-hour travel zone for weekenders.

That’s one of the reasons, says Ken Jacobs Christie’s International Real Estate selling agent Darren Curtis, that buyers of prestige property are attracted to the area.

“Leura has always had appeal but since the roads and infrastructure have improved, access is a lot better now,” he says.

Curtis, who hails from Britain, admits he has a bias towards Leura and Wentworth Falls, about 115 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD. “The area has got an English country feel to it,” he says. “It’s slightly cooler, it’s green, it’s quiet. It reminds me a bit of home.”

The Blue Mountains offer good value for money too, Curtis says. Homes that sell in the mountains for about $3 million could fetch closer to $5 million in other popular weekender locations such as Berry in the NSW southern highlands.

Rowan Stubbs, sales agent with Downer & Maher Real Estate in Leura, says the local market has strengthened on the back of the recent boom in Sydney. “It is all about lifestyle up here. We’re not seeing huge volumes of people in the top end stuff but it definitely is better than it has been,” Stubbs says. 

At the prestige end, properties are most likely to be bought for weekenders, he says. “It is an escape from Sydney.” . As well as popular tourist attractions such as the Three Sisters lookout at Katoomba and numerous walking trails, people are attracted to the Blue Mountains’ strong food and coffee culture and cool-climate gardens, which are looking their best at this time of year. Stubbs says people love the fact the area is cosmopolitan but still has a “village atmosphere”. 

Popular venues include Leura Gourmet Cafe & Deli and The Red Door Cafe in Leura. A newer kid on the block is The Leura Garage. “I walk past Leura Garage and see all the Sydney folk that I sell houses to sitting in there having a beer,” says Stubbs. “It’s quite funky with polished concrete.”

For families wanting to move to the area permanently there is a good range of schooling, including the Blue Mountains Grammar School at Wentworth Falls. The median price of a four-bedroom home in Wentworth Falls is $638,000 and in Leura it is $680,000, figures from Domain show. Many properties are priced at less than $1 million and there are usually only a handful of prestige homes on the market at any given time. 

26 Sublime Point Road, Leura South
$2,550,000
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

With a garden designed by legendary landscaper Paul Sorensen, Blue Mist makes the most of its panoramic cliff-edge views that stretch from Wentworth Falls to the Southern Highlands. Set on more than 11,000 square metres, the home’s gardens feature gravel paths meandering past ponds and dry stone walls. There is also denser bush at the back of the block.  The home itself is a circa 1950 weatherboard with high ceilings, picture windows, formal and informal living areas, and views from every room. 

Agent: Downer & Maher Real Estate, (02) 4784 1939

93 Valley Road, Wentworth Falls
$3,200,000
5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Tucked away down a quiet road next to the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park is this double-storey retreat. Elle et Lui really does fit the bill of being “nestled in the tree tops”.  Views extend over Mount Solitary, Jamison Valley and the Southern Highlands. It is packed full of extras including a wine cellar, underfloor heating, gas central heating, solar hot water, a gas fire, a log fire and reverse-cycle airconditioning. Each of the four bedrooms has an en suite making it perfect to use as a weekender for groups of people and opening up the option of renting it out as holiday accommodation.

Agent: Downer and Maher Real Estate, 02 4784 1939

12-14 The Links Road, Leura
$3,200,000
5 Bed, 4 bath, 2 Car

From the fire pit in the garden to the timber walkway curving over a sweet pond, Eulara has been crafted as an antidote to busy city life. There are plenty of thoughtful touches to fall in love with – large wooden doors that open onto the garden, and a sunny-wraparound verandah on the upper level of the home to soak up the views over Jamison Valley. Set in a cul-de-sac, Eulara borders the historic Everglades Gardens and has spotted gum floors, vaulted ceilings, gas central heating and double glazed fire-resistant windows and doors.

Agent: Ken Jacobs Christies International Real Estate, 0406 761 840