Blue Pool

Location: Enter the National Park via Bruce Road, Glenbrook and drive in through the entry gate – a $7 park entry fee is payable. Follow the road down a couple of hairpin bends to car parks with a sign pointing to the Blue Pool.

Duration: 20 minutes return

Grade: Easy

Features: creek, swimming hole, overhangs

Trip Notes: 

The Blue Pool is aptly named - its striking blue colour (at times almost turquoise when the sun is out, the sky is blue and the water is just right) is unusual to find in the middle of the Blue Mountains bush – this phenomenon doesn’t happen all the time however, and those lucky enough to see it have chanced upon something quite special. This curious colour varies greatly depending on the weather and the water, and is said to be caused light refracting off clay particles in the water.

Flannel Flowers dot the landscape as we take the steps at the start of this walk to the pool. There is a short wooden bridge to cross before descending further. Lime green ferns around hollowed out boulders, ruby red mountain devils and splashes of purple Trigger plants are around us. The well-made stone steps complete with a railing lead us down the track - we seem to be following a small watercourse as we descend the escarpment where the large grass trees wave and rustle in the breeze.

Soon the track flattens out and we walk along the base over large stone slabs, with interesting textured rock faces on the cliff beside us. The weathered sandstone overhangs create interesting dark orange textures and we also found that they provided a cosy shelter. We took refuge in this sandy bottomed cave from a sudden downpour and enjoyed watching the rain wetting and colouring the vegetation from our dry haven.

The track meanders along the base of the escarpment and soon what looks like a fork is reached. The sandy track on the left goes to a scenic spot on the creek – there s a bit of a rock scramble and after clamouring under an impressive gnarled tree onto the large rocks there is an engaging view of Glenbrook creek from here. The creek rushes by at this point so care needs to be taken on the slippery rocks - looking downstream the picturesque creek is surrounded by trees yielding brilliant yellow wattle while upstream the Blue Pool is in sight. 

To get to the Blue Pool, it’s the other track that hugs the cliff which needs to be taken. This track narrows out a bit and footing has to be watched over a few small rocky outcrops but soon we come to a small clearing on the left giving an easy entry point to the inviting waters of the Blue Pool. This pool is a popular swimming spot and great for a dip during the hot summer months. However care needs to be taken especially after rain as water levels become unpredictable. 

Today we arrived at the pool after a downpour so the colour of the water wasn’t blue. Despite that it was a relaxing spot and we met a friendly family picnicking on the shores and enjoying swimming in the pool. Of course it wasn’t long until the leeches appeared! We all packed up quickly and headed back the way we came, grateful for the short peaceful walk and hopeful to come back soon for a full day picnic in clearer weather.
DH

This article has been published in the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Congratulations Sarah and Shaun

Last month we had the pleasure of photographing the marriage of Sarah and Shaun at a beautiful location in Mudgee. Luckily the rain held off and it was a gorgeous day. Here is a small selection from the day.

Memories of Summer

This is the first of our'photogeek-ery' posts, in which we talk more specifically about the stuff we do  and the tools we use.

This photo is a happy accident in some ways. It was taken as an experiment - part of a series where shots were taken from 3 shots underexposed to 3 shots over. This is the 3 shots over exposed image and it is my favourite by far. Once the RAW file was opened I brought out the detail in the eyes, mouth and hair using the adjustment brush in camera raw. With it, you can adjust small areas of the photo in terms of exposure, clarity, etc. This is great where you want to leave most of the image untouched except for some details, as was the case here. Then I pretty much left the rest as shot.

To those interested in the how, I hope that explains it. To those who just like the shot, I hope you love it as much as I do.

LB

Sue's Maternity Photo Shoot

Our first maternity photo shoot and what fun it was! Thanks to Sue and Ambrith for the opportunity to share these photos with you, and we wish them congratulations and all the best as the birth draws near.

Ella's 1st photoshoot

Just before Christmas we had the privilege of photographing

7 week old Ella and her mum and dad, Ally and Jack.

She was a little angel and it was lovely be invited to

share these early days with her and her parents.

Merry Christmas

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As I write this the rain and mist and 'wintery' weather we have had for weeks has passed over and today it's positively  HOT! So it looks like being a sunny Christmas day after all. For me (Louise) I'll take the mist and cold anytime, and in that spirit I hope you enjoy this photo taken in our garden last June.

However and wherever you are celebrating tomorrow (by the beach, by the fire...) we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas . We hope you will have a restful break and a wonderful New Year.

Remembering George

Remembering George our beautiful bunny who died this weekend.

DH

Spring Fair

Come and say hello to us at the Warrimoo Spring Fair (held at Warrimoo Public School) this coming Sunday 23rd October! 
We will be there with photos on display and numerous items available for purchase including our new range of journals. Together with other stalls, rides, and entertainment, it promises to be a great day for the whole family.

Spring Unfolds

The Blue Mountains comes alive with colour and transforms into a new world in spring. Up here where the seasons are much more defined by the weather, we get to marvel at the beauty around us as the sun shines more brightly and spring unfolds.

Many private gardens are generously open to the public during this time, charging a small entry fee, often to fundraise for a worthy cause. If you missed viewing the beautiful gardens around Hazelbrook last weekend, you still have time as they are also open this coming weekend. Gardens in Yellow Rock and Winmalee open their gates as well this coming weekend while Leura has a week long garden Festival during the first week of October, culminating in the Leura Village Fair on October 8th-9th.

The early settlers of the Blue Mountains must have seen the similarities of the weather patterns here to their homes in England and covered their gardens and estates with all sorts of flowering trees, shrubs and bulbs making it feel like another world as you walk through the garden gates. This is especially evident in the long established gardens in the delightful village of Mt Wilson which are open for a number of weekends over the next few months.

Of course the The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mt Tomah and Everglades at Leura have their doors open all year round and are wonderful places to visit.

To find out more about some of the open gardens here are a number of links with more information:

Hazelbrook Gardens Festival

Leura Gardens Festival

Mt Wilson Gardens 

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mt Tomah

Everglades Historic House and Gardens

Michelle's Photoshoot

We had the pleasure of photographing the lovely Michelle last week. After her 'solo' shots we captured some great moments with son Jordan and their beautiful retriever, Cruise. Click here to view more of the photos!