Text and photosSonya Muhlsimmer

Windyridge Garden

This is not going to be your typical bushwalking article

60 | Bushwalk June 2024

This is going to be something very different, about stepping back and taking an easy day out on a misty autumn day in Blue Mountains.

The best months to visit the Blue Mountains are literally any time, as this place has so much to offer regardless of the season. However, to see the most amazing array of colours nature can offer you, the best time to visit is autumn. This is especially so on a misty day with a lot of rain forecast. Well, at least for us locals up here, as the rain and mist keep the tourists away and we get to experience this glorious place to ourselves, without the typical madding crowd.

I had the most magical day recently with some pretty awesome friends, Es, Kat and Remi. It was the perfect mini-adventure, starting at a small family orchard named Logan Brae, which has occupied the same land for over 100 years. The orchard was planted in 1919 and is only five minutes from the town of Blackheath, but beware, Logan Brae is only open on the weekends during apple season which is from March to July. We indulged in hot spiced apple juice and a steaming hot apple pie with a light dusting of icing sugar whilst overlooking the escarpment. Gee it was good. Okay, so I know it is not quite the same as a hot apple pie fresh out of the oven,

but I will share with you a recipe for an apple crumble at the end which you can enjoy on your overnight or multi-day hikes. Hold tight though, I do want to share a little bit about the open gardens we visited.

Our next stop was at the little village called Mt Wilson. We were on a mission to check out the Avenue of Autumn leaves and to visit a couple of the open gardens in the area, such as Windyridge and Yengo Sculpture Garden. Starting at Windyridge, the garden is voted as one of Australia’s most beautiful gardens and well worth a visit. The garden is nearly five acres and it sits at an altitude of 1050 metres above sea level and has a lot of cool climate plants. Each section of the garden has a theme and being in the mist, it felt like we were in a dream. The next stop was Yengo Sculpture Gardens, boasting an alpine garden with 147-year-old trees, amazing bronze sculptures and a sanctuary for the rare Parma Wallabies. I know right, wow. Wait until you see them for yourself, photos just don’t do them justice.

So, that is enough about the misty Blue Mountains mini-adventure, now over to the recipe. One last thing, put it in your calendar to visit the Orchard and gardens next year in autumn and I will see you there.

Yengo Sculpture Garden

Windyridge Garden

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Apple crumbleIngredientsBag 1

Bag 2

Water - ½ cup

At home preparationChop the mixed peel as fine as you can. Chop apple pieces up into small chunks. Label the bags and place all ingredients into the allocated bags and container. Copy or print out Method at camp and keep together with the bags.

Method at campIn a pot, add the contents of Bag 1 (apple mix), then add 1⁄2 cup of water and soak for about 5 minutes. Place the pot on the stove and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes until all the water has evaporated. Take off the heat, add the ghee, then add the contents of Bag 2 (oat mix), stir through and place back on the heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the crumble starts to brown and crisp up and serve. If you want, you can cook up a bit of custard to serve with the crumble, yum.