Mountain retreat has front-row seats to iconic Aussie vista

CHECK-IN

Cloud Parade in Leura, Blue Mountains, overlooks the Three Sisters.

The charming village of Leura in NSW’s Blue Mountains has long been a go-to destination for city-slickers yearning for fresh air, foggy mornings, bush walks and spectacular lookouts, just 90 minutes by car. Cloud Parade perched over the escarpment, offers quite possibly the most spectacular vistas of any holiday home in the mountains. Framed through large windows that run almost the entire length of the top level, be prepared to have your socks knocked off.

THE LOOK

The 80s house has had a top-to-toe makeover by interior designer and owner Josie Simpson of Altus Design Studio who bought the home in 2019. Along with those epic views overlooking the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom property sports a contemporary take on mid-century design including parquet flooring and a dark moody palette that befits its high-altitude surrounds. The cantilevered top floor makes it feel like you are floating above the clouds, hence the property’s name.

Living room views.

THE HOUSE

Good-sized bedrooms (which include a master with ensuite) sleep 10 in total with luxurious sheets, upholstered bed heads, down duvets, electric blankets and treasures collected by Josie. All guestrooms feature king beds aside from one of the two downstairs rooms which has twin beds. There are generous living spaces with cosy nooks and comfortable sofas that invite you to curl up with a book; graphic artworks including a specially commissioned piece by Iain Powell, and a dramatic black kitchen. The fully equipped kitchen offers a coffee machine and a selection of loose-leaf teas. Guests naturally gravitate to the open wood-burning fire (which is lit invitingly on arrival) where you could easily sit and gaze out over the ever-changing valley view for days. A 10-seater dining table begs for long leisurely lunches. All three bathrooms feature matte-black vanities topped with Caesarstone with grey terrazzo-style wall and floor tiles and Olieve and Ella amenities.

Guest bedroom - the house sleeps 10.

An outdoor dining table just beyond the kitchen sits at the top of the terraced garden which tumbles down to the national park. There’s also a second seating area where you can drink in those awe-inspiring views with a glass of wine. From here you can watch birds soar over the valley and hear your cooee echo across the valley.

FOOD + DRINK

Cloud Parade includes pantry staples and a bottle of wine so you’ll need to BYO all other supplies. Good food is not far away. Leura offers several good eateries including the ever popular Red Door Cafe, cocktail, vino and pizza bar Polar Bear (behind the post office), Leura Dumplings or jump in the car for brunch at Frankly My Dear in Katoomba Street (great coffee). Further afield Blaq at The Kyah in Blackheath champions local produce and does stellar cocktails.

OUT + ABOUT

From Cloud Parade you’re a short distance on foot to Prince Henry Cliff Walk (temporarily closed between Gordon Falls lookout and Olympian lookout) which you can see from the house. Unable to prise family and friends outside (their argument was the view’s just as good from the living room as a lookout) we wave to each other across the valley. The cherry tree-lined Leura Mall is about 20 minutes’ walk or two minutes’ drive away. Echo Point Lookout, the Three Sisters and Scenic World are 10 minutes’ drive tops. But I’d make loose plans: once you clap eyes on that view and are seduced by the fire you won’t want to go anywhere.

THE VERDICT

Cloud Parade is a stylish mountain retreat where you can catch up with loved ones, revel in designer luxury and soak up those ethereal views.

ESSENTIALS

Olympian Parade, Leura. Ph: 0400 490 482. From $800 a night; minimum two nights (plus $290 cleaning fee). Sleeps 10. Perfect for extended family or a group of friends. See airbnb.com.au/h/cloudparade

RATING

★★★★½

HIGHLIGHT

Waking up and seeing the valley flooded with cloud.

LOWLIGHT

The late check-in (after 3pm) and early checkout of 10am sharp.

The writer was a guest of Cloud Parade.