On the edge

Perched above the Megalong Valley, this old barn is part of the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel complex, Medlow Bath, the little village that lies between Blackheath and Katoomba.

In 1901, Mark Foy, colourful retail baron, world traveller and sportsman, sold off nearly all his shares in the elegant family owned department store to finance what was to become Australia's first health retreat.

Most of the construction of the Hydro Majestic took place in 1903, the same year Mr Foy successfully applied to have the name of the township changed to the more appropriate "Medlow Bath" The inner workings of the resort were all thoroughly modern and included a steam-driven generator imported from Germany. This generator produced electricity for the resort and the neighbouring township of Medlow Bath. In fact the Hydro Majestic had working electricity four days before the city of Sydney.
Mr Foy hired Dr George Baur formerly of the "Shoeneck" health spa on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland to devise and supervise a program of diets and weird and wonderful treatments.

The Hydropathic Establishment officially opened on July 4th, 1904 during a snowstorm. A group of special guests arrived by train at Penrith where Mr Foy had a fleet of motor cars waiting to drive them to the Hotel. Artworks collected from all over the world were housed in a gallery several hundred feet long. Entertainment took place in the Casino Ballroom (it was never used for gambling) the magnificent dome is still in place today. The dome was pre-fabricated in Chicago and shipped to Australia. The guests strolled along the picture gallery to reach the Grand Dining room, the half barrel vault ceiling with its gilded features, is still much admired.
The Hydro Majestic attracted guests from around Australia and the world. Famous Australian Opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba sang at the hotel a number of times as did English Opera singer Dame Clara Butt and Nellie Stewart.
Australia's first Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton actually died in the hotel in 1920. Other famous guests were Sherlock Holmes' creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Julius Blau of 4711 perfume fame, and the Rajah of Pudukkutai with his Australian-born wife, the former Molly Fink.

Sadly the Hotel is currently closed, and despite protestations that the Hotel is undergoing extensive renovation, not a soul is ever seen there.