Service Section

Why Not A Blue Mountains Holiday?

THE Australian-holiday accommodation problem for Islands folk with a limited amount of money might have a solution in the cottages at “Heatherwood Village,” Springwood, NSW. This project is at present being developed successfully on the 500 acre property of Mr. and Mrs.

W. M. Reid; five charming stone cottages are already completed and six others are in various stages of construction, Mr. Reid, a member of the firm of Robert Reid and Co., is well known in the Pacific, particularly in French Oceania, as is also his wife.

The houses now completed and the six others which will comprise the first block, are more suitable for holiday homes than for permanent residence but later, on another part of the property, it is hoped to cater for those who wish to make the Village their home.

Two of the five houses now available for letting (long or short periods) are shown herewith. That on the right is the first built; later types (left) have been constructed to make better use of floor space. Each house, externally, is different from its neighbours.

Each, internally, consists of a large living room, with many windows, a double bed room, a bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, a kitchenette with a small electric stovette, primus or oil stove, a small porch and an outside rustic bar becue with a fuel stove.

The houses are completely furnished with the exception of linen, cutlery or blankets. There is sleeping accommoda tion for four.

Water and electricity are laid on from Council mains; the septic sewerage system is almost complete, as also is a large road side store—both should be functioning by the New Year. When this first block is complete it will be laid out in extensive gardens, with a tennis court and a swim ming pool, but even now the five com pleted cottages, in their seclusion of native bush, are very attractive. They are built mainly in cream stone, and the workman ship that has gone into them is remark able.

Heatherwood, is about three miles from Springwood station; and Springwood is about 50 miles from Sydney, by road or rail. A bus connects Heatherwood with Springwood: taxis are also available. Bus services connect Springwood with other Blue Mountain towns and also with the South Coast.

The famous business train known as “The Fish” reaches Sydney daily from the Mountains at 8.35 a.m. and leaves again at 5.17 p.m.

Springwood is 1,200 feet above sea level; it is noted for its mild, sunny days and cool nights. It should be of particular benefit to children who have been over long in the tropics.

Springwood has a good shopping centre and meat, mail, bread and groceries are delivered to Heatherwood; large Syd ney stores also make regular deliveries.

Milk, cream, eggs, vegetables and fruit in season are obtainable on the Village pro perty.

For amusement there are horses to be hired; the golf course is H miles away, there are many walks and picnic spots and a natural swimming pool (apart from the one which will later be built) on the 500 acre pro perty.

Rent, payable in advance is £l6 per cal endar month; £4/4/- per week; 21/- per day for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Mon day: and 10/6 per day for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr. S. G. Middleton, who was a re sident of the Australian Pacific Territories for many years, is now Commissioner of Native Affairs in West Australia—an in teresting job in which he. with the good will and co-operation of his Minister, is reorganising the Department along Ad ministrative lines, similar to those of pre war Papua. Some well-paid field positions are available in this service and Mr.

Middleton hopes that he may attract thereto some of his old Papuan contem poraries. Persons interested should com municate with him—Commissioner of Native Affairs, 176 Wellington Street, Perth, W.A.