The Hydro Majestic Hotel

A few weeks ago I blipped a shot of the garden at the Hydro looking down into Megalong, today it’s the opposite direction showing the Hotel perched on the cliff.
Warning : more history coming up so move on if it’s not your thing.
From the 1890s, there were two hotels in Medlow Bath, the Hargravia and the Begravia. Around 1900, the entire western side of Medlow (including both hotels) was purchased by Sydney department store tycoon Mark Foy, who constructed another building (the “Casino”) in the middle and renamed the whole complex the Hydro Majestic, claiming the spring down the back had magical healing powers - good one Mark!!
The Belgravia burnt down in the 1920s and the hotel has had numerous owners and renovations since. It has a sensational view but if you need to ask the price, you can’t afford to stay there!
In the Hydro’s heyday in the 20s and 30s, the owners held picnic race meetings about where I was standing for the photo - these were supplied with food and essential drinks via a flying fox from the back deck of the hotel.
On the left, the landslide from 5 years ago is visible. These are a natural occurrence and have been going on since the Dreamtime so it’s wise not to hang around for too long under one of these cliffs.

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