Australia For Everyone: Icons - Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath, NSW

Home
Home Page About Us Contact Us Members Log-in Legal
Australiana
About Australia Index Facts and Figures Photo Galleries Only In Australia Extremes Signs Big Things Address Book Movie Locations
Travelling
Planning Your Trip Travel Options On A Budget Travel By State Destinations Journeys Experiences Telecommunications Travellers' Tales Visitor Information
Destinations
Destinations Index Capital Cities Regional Centres Holiday Destinations Natural Attractions Wildlife Experiences Seasonal Getaways Cultural and Heritage Australian Places Food and Wine Activities Top Tens
States
State/Territory Index New South Wales Northern Territory Aust. Capital Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Offshore Territories
Plan and Book
Accommodation Vehicle Hire Travel Tours Experiences International travel
Icons
Aussie Icons Index Buildings Towns Big Things Misc.
Today
News Weather Television At The Movies Sport What's On Useful Information


You are here: Home > Icons > Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath, NSW

AUSTRALIAN ICONS

Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath, NSW

The view from the guest rooms at the back of the hotel is over the Megalong Valley

The Hydro Majestic Hotel, on Gt. Western Highway at Medlow Bath in the NSW Blue Mountains, began life as the Belgravia Hotel. Completed in 1891, it was a health retreat constructed in the Queen Anne style. Australian retailer, Mark Foy purchased the site in 1902 for the purpose of a hydropathic sanatorium under the belief that the land contained mineral springs. By the time the hotel opened in July 1904, the mineral springs (if they ever existed) had dried up. Mark Foy had mineral water imported from Germany in large steel containers. Fire destroyed the Gallery building in 1905, after which time the resort was converted into a hotel.

One of the most imposing buildings of the complex is the casino building. Casino refers to meeting hall or pavilion, and was never officially used for gambling. It is an ornate late Victorian Italianate wedding-cake style building which serves as the grand ballroom of the current establishment. It was prefabricated in Chicago, shipped to Sydney and assembled on site by 1903. The Casino was the venue of the first performance of Dame Nellie Melba's famously long farewell tour. Clara Butt also performed in the venue. The last performance in the room was a small production of 'The Mikado' in 1969. The Casino is now used as a private dining room and function room.

Advertising material used in 1920

The Belgravia wing was initially the former Belgravia Hotel. After being destroyed by fire, construction started on the new 'Art Deco/Moderne' style Belgravia wing in 1922 and completed in 1936. The Hargravia wing is named after 'Hargraves House', initially on the site of the hotel. Hargraves House was built by William Hargraves, son of Edward Hargraves, the alleged discoverer of gold in Australia. The hotel has had a chequered history, being used as a convalescent hospital for American servicemen wounded in the battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, and suffering a gradual decline until it was completely renovated in the 1990s

View Larger Map

Translate this Web Page

Search This Website

search tips advanced search

search engine by freefind