One could almost be in south-west Western Australia in the spring amidst a carpet of pink wildflowers.
Except for the mist. And the temperature. And the escarpment views.
The pink flannel flowers proliferating in parts of the Upper Mountains - notably at Narrow Neck in Katoomba - are proving a major drawcard to the area.
Even on a wet, grey mid-week afternoon, there was a queue of cars negotiating the bumpy path to the best display, and parking was at a premium.
A National Parks spokesman said the mass bloom had been extremely popular in recent weeks.
"To help ensure visitors can enjoy the rare sight safely and to avoid trampling, visitor traffic and parking control has been implemented for peak periods," he said.
"People are urged to respect the barrier tape and signs provided for their safety particularly as there are cliff lines and other natural hazards in the area."
Pink flannel flowers (Actinotus forsythii) are a rarity which emerge only in specific conditions: When sufficient rainfall follows a bushfire.
Summer 2019-20 provided the fire conditions,and many months of 2020 the rain, meaning the flowers, whose seeds lie dormant until the time is right, have emerged right on cue.
Frances Scarano, a wild plant rescue volunteer from Katoomba, took the Gazette to the site, delighting in the spreading carpet of blooms.
The National Parks spokesman said it is believed the last time a similar event occurred at Narrow Neck was in the mid-1950s.
