Scenic World’s dazzling new after-dark adventure

Aleney de Winter visits Scenic World in NSW’s Blue Mountains and discovers a new family-friendly adventure.

We’ve roared into Scenic World’s Dinosaur Valley and immersed ourselves in art and nature at Sculpture at Scenic World too many times to count, but we’ve never delved deep into the Jamison Valley after dark. Until now! Scenic World has undergone a luminous transformation with the launch of Nocturnal.

This limited event, on select nights until May 11th, 2024, families can embark on a magical immersive night time adventure that offers a whole new way to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the Jamison Valley.

Nocturnal casts Scenic World’s renowned attractions—the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Cableway, and the Scenic Skyway—in a magical glow. But there’s more to Nocturnal than tackling the iconic rides under cloak of darkness.

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Nocturnal at Scenic World

The Nocturnal experience begins before we even step across the threshold of Scenic World. Firepits for toasting giant marshmallows located by the entrance stop my daughter in her tracks, but it is a Welcome to Country light plinth incorporating the Gundungurra language and sharing stories about the significance of the night sky in their culture that steals my son’s attention. Curated by Uncle David King, a Gundungurra Custodian and Indigenous Engagement Officer at Scenic World, the plinth is an invitation to enter and explore Gundungurra Country.

Accepting the invitation, we climbed aboard the Scenic Railway to descend into the rainforest and wander along the illuminated boardwalks of a LUNA Light Journey, where we discover a technicolour wonderland of shimmering light installations, and holographic displays beneath the rainforest canopy in the Jamison Valley that bring the nocturnal world to life. My youngest dances happily as each step she takes results in a trail of twirling flowers beneath her feet. Younger kids scurry about us, waving light wands and swords as they delight in a unique scavenger hunt. The hunt comes with an adventure pack on admission, complete with spy gear to follow hidden clues along the LUNA Light Journey to uncover the ancient Gundungurra Creation Story.

But the Nocturnal experience is not just for little ones. Even my hard-to-impress teenager is just as entranced by the ancient forest illuminated by riotous streams of light. In fact, ever the detective, he is busily on his own personal hunt for hidden rainforest creatures—a perfectly camouflaged possum here, giant holographic spiders hanging from webs there, and ethereal birds twittering in the trees.

After taking the Scenic Cableway back to the top, the lure of Eats270 and its delightful array of Nocturnal-themed treats prove impossible to resist. We sink our teeth into burgers as epic as the light show itself. And the plate of churro chips that follows is a concept so genius that my daughter announces that whoever invented it deserves a knighthood.

Bellies full, it’s time for us to tackle the final piece in the Nocturnal puzzle, dangling in the darkness on the Scenic Skyway, 270 metres above the Jamison Valley. Sparkling with a million starry lights inside the gondola, we float through the moonlit sky past the sight of a floodlit Katoomba Falls, a breathtaking finale to an evening where technology and nature have merged in magical ways.

 Kids Stay & Eat Free at Lillianfels Resort & Spa

The late finish means we’re extending our stay for the weekend, and what better place to bask in the mountain magic than at the always-enchanting Lillianfels Resort & Spa? This luxury boutique hotel is a sanctuary of elegance, exuding a luminous charm that perfectly complements the glow of Nocturnal.

Perfect for families heading up to the mountains to explore Nocturnal at Scenic World, Lilianfels is offering a Kids Stay & Eat Free Package for children up to 12 years old until April 30, 2024. The package includes a divine daily buffet breakfast in the Orangery Restaurant, a two-course dinner from the kid’s menu at the sublime Lilianfels Lounge, plus kids’ slippers and bathrobes and a cute as a button complimentary kid’s welcome amenities pack. And if your kids are on the younger side, there’s even a dedicated kids check-in booth at reception to make younger guests feel even more special.

Our Deluxe Twin Room is perfect for our family of four. The two queen-sized beds are incredibly comfy, and there is plenty of space to sprawl out. Wedgwood wallpaper and plush furnishings add a touch of old-world elegance, but it still feels cosy enough for us to snuggle up in our fluffy bathrobes for movies in our room. But only after an hour of potting balls in Lilianfels’ magnificent snooker room.

In the morning, we’re up early to explore the picturesque gardens and take advantage of the stunning heated indoor pool. We clean up only for a hearty buffet breakfast at The Orangery Restaurant, complete with delectable made-to-order omelettes and fresh squeezed juice.

The kids then leap onto a couple of the resort’s loaner mountain bikes to head off and explore, while I leap into the day spa for a rejuvenating massage, and to relish in the tranquillity of Lilianfels.

The resort leaves us all impressed with its dining options. While we don’t have time to enjoy the phenomenal, multi-hatted Darley’s Restaurant on this occasion, we aren’t disappointed with the offerings at the sumptuous Lounge Bar, where a pan-seared Manuka Honey Smoked Duck Breast and a delightful, deconstructed Yuzu Meringue are standouts.

Even our notoriously fussy youngest finds plenty on the menu to keep her happy. Though for her, afternoon tea is the highlight with its piles of fluffy scones with jam and cream, petit sweets, and selection of savoury pastries.

Working off our afternoon delights, the kids bash a tennis ball around the tennis courts and take another dip, though this time in Lilianfels outdoor pool, before we all head off for a walk to the Echo Point Lookout (just 500 metres from the resort) to watch the sun set in spectacular style over the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley—Katoomba showing off more of her luminesce beauty once again.

Nocturnal at Scenic World will run on select nights from April 5th to May 11th, 2024. Bookings are required. Visit the Scenic World website for pricing and ticketing options.

The Lilianfels Kids Stay & Eat Free package is valid for children aged 12 years and under on stays from April 1st through to April 30th, 2024.

Getting to Scenic World

Parking is available at Scenic World but is limited. You can purchase tickets to the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. The double-decker, hop-on, hop-off service is great for sightseeing around the area and stops at Scenic World.

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Images supplied by Scenic World, Destination NSW and Aleney de Winter.

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