Fun Walks Banned As Clubs Lose Insurance

Bushwalking clubs will no longer be insured for activities above the snow line, canyoning, caving, rock climbing, mountaineering, abseiling or rafting.

Classic Blue Hills

Katoomba Style Traditional weatherboard cottages, rambling '20s residences and newer brick-veneers. Price range From $200,000 to about $500,000. Transport Train or car from Sydney. Facilities Carrington Hotel, Katoomba Golf Club, The Edge Maxvision Cinema, cafes, restaurants, shopping. Amusements Bushwalking, abseiling, strolling, gardening, golfing. You can still find an affordable mountain retreat if you look in the right place.

Great Southern Land

Berry Style Lifestyle farms, weekenders and dairy farms. Price range Vacant land from $350,000 to more than $500,000; lifestyle farms with houses from $650,000 to more than $1.5 million. Transport By car (about two hours' drive) or train from Sydney (about three hours). Facilities Good shopping in Berry village; surfing at Seven Mile Beach; Shoalhaven River. Amusements Hobby farming; horseriding; canoeing and abseiling; surfing; fishing. The search for a weekend sea change is driving up the price of t