Our place sits on a 1600 sqm block with views of the Blue Mountains National Reserve. Our focus is on creating a Mediterranean oasis in the heart of Katoomba.
Making it the perfect location for our Italian cooking class experiences. Accomodation available A touch of southern Italy in the Blue Mountains NSW
Our three bedroom house (plus converted garage living space) has everything you need to feel at home when all you want to do is escape the rat race for awhile. So much more personal than a motel, shared accommodation or large hotel. Lots of room to s
pread out with outdoor eating area plus a huge backyard for kids to explore. Set on 1020 sqm, overlooking Blue Mountains National Park and down the road from Minni HaHa Falls, this self-contained mountain retreat offers a relaxing backdrop to your stay. Air conditioning and free wifi. BEDROOMS:
One Queen, one Double and two Singles which can be joined on request. Plus our converted garage with double sofa bed, rug, curtains and wall mounted TV). All beds (apart from double sofa) are set up on arrival. Carpeted. Included in the price: sheets, blankets, doona, pillows. Cot set up in one of the rooms, with mattress protector. Cot linen is not provided. No charge for use of cot. BATHROOM:
Continuous hot water. Three way bathroom with shower, tub, toilet and vanity areas. Plus a second toilet in laundry. Heat lamp and floor towels. Included in the price: bath sheet, face washer, hand towel, body wash, hand soap, first aid. KITCHEN:
Goodies supplied in the pantry inc coffee, range of teas, Milo, honey, Vegemite, cereal, oatmeal, salt, vinegar, oil. Microwave containers. Take away containers. Fully stocked with crockery, pots and pans, glassware, cutlery etc. Electric oven and cooktop. Microwave, toaster, kettle, portable electric BBQ. Italian caffettiera for a good coffee. Dishwasher. DINING AREAS:
Large dinner table seating 10. Tablecloths provided. Outdoor chairs and ottomans. Two large gorgeous cane chairs nearby to lounge about in. Cushions provided. Overlooks our lovely large backyard with fruit trees, mini vineyard and seasonal veggie patch. Views to Blue Mountains National Park. Outdoor eating area under the deck: large table with room for 8. LOUNGE:
Flat screen wall mounted TV with internal DVD player. Video player provided. Two sofas with room for 8. Throws provided to rug up into. Large range of coffee table books and magazines to browse through. Movies for young and old provided. Music CDs provided. Family friendly - lots of games, puzzles and toys provided for some great family time. LAUNDRY:
Large washing machine and sink. Laundry powder, clothes basket and pegs provided. Outdoor clothes line. Indoor airer. Second toilet. BABIES / TODDLERS:
(Due to Covid, ask us at booking for any of the following which we will provide on request, cleaned and sanitised.) We provide a large range of items you won't have to pack including traditional cot, change mat, high chair, bouncer, stroller, pram, baby bath, potty and child toilet seat. Plus lots of toys, puzzles and books suitable for young children. WHY STAY WITH US? Read our reviews on Google or .citrus.flour.katoomba
We offer late check out when available. Impeccably cleaned by the owners after every booking. Public bus runs through our street, with nearest bus stop at Minni HaHa Road taking you into the town centre. So you can leave your car at home if you don't feel like driving. The bus driver may drop you off right outside our house on your return - they're good that way. Accessible by car from the Great Western Highway from Sydney. By train, Katoomba train station and town centre is a 5 minute drive away. The Edge Cinema is just around the corner. Huge backyard for your children to explore and let out some energy. NB ground level varies. Ask about our Italian home made meals all you need do is reheat. Some require a short cooking time. See our website (Accommodation Amenities) for details. ITALIAN COOKING CLASSES
Why not organise a group of 4 to 6 foodies with a passion for learning how to cook and eat traditional Italian home made meals? Nonna Maria will demonstrate how to make the pasta dough, set up and use the pasta machine, and how to make a basic but scrumptious tomato based sauce. To name just one of our classes. All participants will take part in a hands-on way, and the best part is, the class is followed by a long lunch of Italian foods. Class includes a three course meal and espresso after lunch. A day spent in great company you'll be ready to show off your pasta-making skills at home. These days make fantastic bonding sessions or a gift with thought. Check our www.fifthavekatoombaretreat.com/classes-and-products page for details.
23/04/2025
Mushroom foraging - a wonderful day trip to experience.
There is a lot to be said about immersing yourself in nature for a day. That's all it takes to reset your mind and body. Some would say, your spirit too. The sense of tranquility cannot be underestimated when you are completely surrounded by the tallest of trees, the quietude of the forest and the simple pleasure of foraging for funghi.
You will go home feeling renewed. Your smile will be wider. Your brow will be relaxed.
Join our Mushroom Foraging Event where we visit the state forest under the expert guidance of my mother. She has a life time experience of gathering, preserving and cooking mushrooms.
23/04/2025
Family connecting the dinner table. It’s simple and very rewarding. To have three generations together, creating cherished moments for the older ones and lasting memories for the young, who can ask for more?
23/04/2025
The best way to get your kids interested in their food? As young as possible. The best way? Include them every step of the process!
This multi generational family has the children chopping onions (the 11 year old volunteered eagerly!!), vegetables, cracking eggs and mixing ingredients with their hands.
Truly a beautiful sight. And how special to be celebrating your 70th birthday surrounded by your family aged 4 to 70+, doing what you love and then sitting at the dinner table together.
# ❤️
13/04/2025
Friday’s Italian Biscuit Making class with a mother and her two young daughters was loads of fun. The girls’ attention to detail at their ages, was remarkable. Not only did they try making a range of our traditional shapes but they then put on their creative hats to make sunflowers, people and letters - which would be given to their school friends for Easter. Lovin’ it 🥰.
An enjoyable day’s activity spending time together for this young family - Dad and toddler joining us later for dessert 😀.
❤️
11/04/2025
Last night’s Italian Night at the Factory Bar was a great success. Our intimate gathering on one long table allowed everyone to get to know each other over casual appetisers and a wine or cocktail.
We make all food by hand respecting our traditional methods and recipes. With a few tweaks here and there.
It’s all about enjoying the , food made by hand and enjoying what one eats. With intention - to really savour the different dishes.
Combine this with sharing the experience and time with others elevates the food even higher. Good food and good company are the perfect combination. Good for the soul, not just the tummy 😉.
Join us in May at our next gathering at the Factory Bar, Katoomba’s newest gin bar owned and run by . But be quick as we are almost at capacity.
Our first two events were sold out: Italian food and cocktails at The Factory Bar - a hit with the locals. So book into our April event now.
What do you get when you combine delicious food from the south of Italy and Katoomba's newest gin bar? Well, the locals thought this spelt a great night out they were not going to miss! Two in a row in fact. So we're bringing the event back in April with new items on the menu. Actually, the food has...
25/03/2025
Thought I’d clarify: our event on April 10 is not sold out yet.
My headline referred to our last two events.
So come along to April 10 and join us for another great night.
27/02/2025
Stripping the oregano leaves from their stems. Very therapeutic as I sit here in a shady spot on this glorious day.
Wondering what to do with it all as I envision rows and rows of glass jars filled with this dried oregano.
The aroma is heady, intense. And I’m sure my neighbours are reaping the benefits thanks to the windy day 😊.
One of God’s miracle herbs, its benefits are numerous. Antioxidant, anti microbial, anti inflammatory and anti cancerigenic. It can help with weight loss, manage diabetes and high cholesterol. Not to mention it makes food taste fabulous!
Of course, when you look this up, the entry will usually say there is no scientific evidence. The fact that it’s been in nature forever and hasn’t killed anyone is pretty compelling to me.
Tip: the bare stems still have quite a strong smell so throw them into your bins to reduce odours.
17/02/2025
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
It’s taken hours (and hours) of pruning, clipping, thinning, lopping and sweeping up to tame the front garden which has become wildly overgrown. That’s what happens when you ignore it for a few months!!
Thankfully I also got to unwind by inspecting the grapes, collecting mum’s veggies, various herbs and flowers, and more peaches which are looking good (not sure what happened to our nectarines which are all split).
08/02/2025
It's poignant to me that I have found the time to publish this footage today, five years since the passing of my father, who spent countless hours planting trees and maintaining them at Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat ...
Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat sits on a 1600 sqm block with views to the Blue Mountains National Reserve. With a young olive grove recently planted, our "mini v...
07/02/2025
Ready to learn how to make pasta at home? With and without a machine? And our traditional tomato based sauce to go with it.
Join our small group class on Saturday 15th February.
Book via our bio link.
07/02/2025
How many times have we heard pickled stuff is good for our gut? But do we incorporate it into our diet? The crazy thing is I have a pantry full of pickled and preserved foods. Homemade and bought from markets. I really need to make more of an effort to include some daily.
This jar contains cucumbers that were in abundance so I decided to pickle them by slicing into angles, and combining with whatever was on hand. Salt, sugar maybe (I usually leave it out), pepper corns, different coloured chillies and fennel stalks. These are also used to keep the contents submerged. And white vinegar of course.
I’m more than happy with the result because the recipe said to use within a couple of weeks. Which sort of defeats the purpose of pickling, right? Anyway, it’s been about a year and they are perfectly crunchy!
05/02/2025
They say that out of adversity comes opportunity. But I'd say Ingenuity and Imagination. Take a look at this video to be inspired. And if you go on to support even one of these small local producers, you have done your part in making the World a beautiful place again ...
This is "Madebox_Longform_V2.mp4" by Madebox on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
05/02/2025
Check out our schedule of Italian cooking classes and events for 2025. Spaces are limited so be quick if you have your heart set on a particular date.
Many of you have requested a calendar of dates for our Italian cooking classes and special events to help you schedule them into your diaries. Class sizes are small and intimate so book now to avoid disappointment.
04/02/2025
Tip:
When you have left over cooked rice, mix in lots of herbs and spices and plenty of other veggies all cut up quite small. Use it to stuff vegetables such as Bullhorn Peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini.
In this case I used a giant sized zucchini from my mum’s garden which we’ve been using in our cooking over the past few weeks, it’s that big. With the remaining piece, I filled it with the rice mix after carving out the seeds (which I’m going to save).
Baste the inside of the zucchini with olive oil and season well. Then pack in the filling, rub some olive oil around the outside of the zucchini. And bake in a preheated oven for as long as it needs. Time will depend on the size and thickness of the zucchini. This one took a couple of hours with the temperature at 200 degrees.
Extra tip: my sister keeps basting the outer shell with olive oil throughout the baking process. Gives a really scrumptious result.
Leave covered with baking paper and alfoil til the last 15 - 20 mins. Remove papers for a golden crunchy texture.
I aimed for an alkaline based meal so I served it with a salad. But you can serve it with bread or whatever you like 😊.
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Now more than ever, we are feeling the need to be in tune with each other and with Nature. Set with a backdrop to the Blue Mountains National Reserve and Minni HaHa Falls down the street, Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat sits on 1000 sqm block and is a relaxing space for 8 where you will experience that 'ahhh' moment instantly. Main tourist attractions are 5-10 minute drive with a peaceful aspect when you return from your Blue Mtns outing.
Presentation and cleanliness is everything to us (well before Covid-19). Our attention to detail could possibly be borderline obsessive – if you consider polishing all the taps til they gleam or lining up the coffee cups so the handles face the same way obsessive. I just call it thorough.
Suitable for small groups and the perfect family accommodation with holiday house essentials and little luxuries – encouraging you to unwind so you focus on time together. It's not too big for couples either.
Consider adding one of our Italian cooking class experiences to your stay. Run with the help of my mother, the quintessential Nonna, our classes give an insight into our southern Italian traditions which focus on food and family.
My grandparents lived in a small mountainous village in Italy and even though I only got to experience their way of life for a few months as a child, it must have rubbed off on me, along with my father's lifelong connection to the land.
So what will you experience when you combine your stay at Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat with one of our classes?
Expect to immerse yourself in how we live – lots of fresh food (including homegrown) prepared in simple quick ways yet so full of flavour, you'll want to come back for more. Pasta alla Norma. Stuffed zucchini. Crisp arancini. Light and fluffy gnocchi. Homemade bread. Wine, espresso and tiramisu. Delectable. In an environment that makes you think of the Mediterranean – our "mini" vineyard, our fruit trees and coming soon, our olive grove.
With so many walks and sites for you to discover in the Blue Mountains, your time in this part of NSW will no doubt include lots of outdoor exploring. Coming home to really good wholesome and delicious homemade food is certainly the icing on the cake!
In fact, participants arrive as strangers and leave as family. They love the hands on aspect of the class and the sit down meal, a long standing custom throughout Italy. What better way to leave your usual routine behind than with such a memorable experience?
Since 2011, guests have remarked on our high standards consistently which shows how essential this is. Guests feel the love and care that has gone into the preparation of the house and the classes each and every time which only comes from a self managed family run business.
We're looking forward to hosting you soon. For details on facilities and amenities, check out our website at www.fifthavekatoombaretreat.com
Our place sits on a 1600 sqm block with views of the Blue Mountains National Reserve. Our focus is on creating a Mediterranean oasis in the heart of Katoomba.
