I wouldn’t call myself a nature girl. Prior to meeting Mr NQN I had never visited a forest or engaged in much activity that involved nature (unless you consider eating beachside “nature driven” which I suspect not). And then I met him and along with his very crazy family he introduced me to the beauty of greenery. And the drive to Megalong Valley throughout the picturesquely lush green forest which I had dubbed “the Enchanted Forest” was a pleasure-even if I as a newly minted skittish driver were responsible for driving down this windy, narrowish double lane road.
Aura Lily and I
We arrive at the basin of the valley where there’s a crowd already drawn and plenty of cars in the car park. There is an enclosed room which houses a fireplace and we’d imagine this would be popular during the chill of winter as its just a few degrees warmer in the sheltered valley compared to up on the mountains but as it’s a lovely day we go outside to the outdoor seating where Araluen, Paul and Aura Lily are waiting.
Customers order and pay at the counter where there is also a sign for a dozen farm fresh eggs for $5 (sadly we have just missed out as another customer bought a dozen which they fetch fresh from the yard to order). The man behind the counter is very Quentin Tarantino with a bit of something else and we notice that some of the prices are a little odd ($6.05 and $1.55 and $4.45). It is cash only and we later realise that we were charged an extra $6.40 for something (perhaps a Sunday surcharge for 4 people?).
Local apple juice (Logan Brae) $4.45
My favourite apple juice is Logan Brae-we fell in love with Logan Brae apple juice a few years back and it’s such a fresh, sweet, crisp and unique juice. Given that the Logan Brae orchards are literally up the road it’s their local apple juice.
Ice cream soda $6.05
The ice cream soda can be made out of any of the drinks in the fridge. I chose the raspberry creaming soda as it’s been years since I had a creaming soda. It’s quite refreshing and nostalgically transporting in the way that only luridly pink soft drink and ice cream can be.
Earl Grey Tea $4.40
The Earl Grey tea is good and comes with an extra pot of hot water although we had to ask separately for sugar and sweetners etc. Interestingly, the water for the tea is boiled in the same cast iron urn that the owner’s grandmother used sixty years ago.
Steak and onion pie $10.45
The pie is made using what appears to be a nice home made flakey pastry and the pie is reheated through although the centre is a little lukewarm. The beef is a local Megalong beef and the filling has a lot of thick gravy in it amongst the beef chunks and it is paired with a home style tomato sauce. We were hoping for a little side salad for the price of the pie.
Apple Pie $11.55
The apple pie is dusted with icing sugar and the filling is an interesting combination of pureed apples and apple chunks. It is served with a choice of ice cream and cream or both and we opt for vanilla ice cream. A sign reads that the scones and apple pie recipe are a family recipe handed down through generations. Although it is a big slice, it is a little on the costly side for a slice of apple pie and we’re almost getting into restaurant prices.
Scones
The scones are uniformly risen, light and fluffy and dusted with icing sugar and come three to a basket with whipped cream and a blackberry jam which has a nice tartness to it. They’re good although I like a thicker cream than a whipped cream especially on warm days where whipped cream can melt too quickly.
And just to prove that I can shop anywhere (ok that’s a dubious honour I admit) Araluen and I check out the little store out back and emerge with our purchases-a wooden bowl for $2 and four matching ceramic cups for $4! Even Mr NQN couldn’t argue with that (I needed to make amends after buying an extravagant pair of shoes, see how I budget? 
).
Megalong Valley Tea Room
Megalong Rd, Megalong Valley, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4787 9181
Open 7 days, 9am-5.30pm
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
48 Comments | Add your own
Odd pricing alright. Dessert cost more than mains. And the wooden bowls and ceramic cups a bargain. Perhaps there is a significant surcharge on the apple pie – royalty fees since its a family recipe?:)
This is looking awesome with beautiful pictures….cheers, sonia !
I could go some of the Steak And Onion pie right now. It all looks delicious.
I love the look and sound of the apple pie but totally agree the prices border restaurant prices and such odd prices too! How cute is the fake wombat
What animal is that in your last photo? It looks so cute all curled up!
p.s. That’s a gorgeous photo of you and Aura Lily.
Methinks with those ‘pricey’ country prices, they saw the city slickers coming!
I was quite inspired to take a trip up & visit but when I saw the prices I decided it certainly would not be worth the trip Mega prices for the Megalong Valley!!!
That’s one massive slice of apple pie! And the animal in the last photo is adorable
We are regulars at the Megalong Tea Rooms and love it.
Living just up the road in Blackheath we regularly take house guests down to the Valley for their Big Breakfast, which is their forte. Once you’ve finished that you won’t need lunch!
Their tomato sauce is unique and they serve plenty of it with sausages, mushrooms, bacon and eggs and lashings of toast and butter. Add a big pot of Earl Grey on a bright warm morning and you won’t get a better breakfast experience.
We rarely do lunch there, so cannot comment apart from the Ploughman’s Lunch which is too small – they need to add more bread and filling.
But their breakfast is wonderful!
Su-yin,
That’s a statue of a wombat curled up having a nap.
Cheers,
Rob
Su-yin, its a womabat, its not alive,possibly made from plaster ??? but its a native australian animal. Great pics, the icecream soda just took me back to my childhood too! prices are weird but if it all tasted as good as it looks, then no problems ! The steak and onion pie pastry looks very very moorish
oops WOMBAT !!! sorry, bad spelling above
What a gorgeous outing! I love that stove thing/whatever it is, in the last pic. I want, I want! You and bub look lovely together – it suits you
Heidi xo
What a lovely piece on nature and nostalgia for Sunday morning. The best part naturally the photo of you and Aura Lily – small children possess an innate feeling about whom to trust – and that young lady is very, very comfortable in your arms . . .
Cost doesn’t bother me, but on principle, I cannot cope with paying way above the worth of something, so I would struggle with the prices. I admire the way you call it as you see it, it means we can trust the integrity of your posts across the board. Good stuff Ms NQN!
Oh, what a gorgeous photo of you and baaaby
Lorraine, you are sooo beautiful..and i still like you HA HA
I think the apple pie sprinkled powdered sugar is what I will order, please.
Thank you xxXX
lovey photos of you and the little one, looks like a nice place to go…liked the look of the savoury pie best! thanks x0
I’m a constant visitor to that place . . . the ploughman’s lunch [choice of two different ones] is wonderful and it is such a pleasure to be able to sit outside [with dogs if you have them] and look at the goats, sheep, cows and horses in the neighbouring paddocks and watch the birds juggling for position to swoop down once you have left your table – the maggies are very fond of the cream!
I have that same wombat bought in Berry several years ago! I understand why he caught your eye….he’s gorgeous isn’t he?!
That pie looks mighty fine.
Love that pic of you and the bub! Soooo relaxed…
Mmm…. Megalong magic strikes again.There is some thing in those valleys that we just dont understand. Like the apple garnish on the pie tooo!!!!!! .
How I love the name of the Megalong Valley, it’s so evocative of a past that never was!
We go to Megalong tea rooms whenever we visit the Blue Mountains – I think it would have been nice to show photos of the glorious views you get from the outdoor seating.
I agree the pricing is strange – however, we usually just have tea and scones – which are accompanied by a VERY generous serving of cream and jam, and both of high quality. I think you are paying more for the experience and the homely tradition.
I’m glad you got a bargin with the bowl and cups, you needed it to even up the waaay to high prices for the food, even if it does look pretty.
The baby is gorgeous, does she make you feel ‘clucky’?
Now I feel like a creaming soda! Haven’t had one in years!
i am more urban than a forest guy but I could definitely change my mind with this scrumptious apple pie!!!
Cheers from sunny and hot Paris!
Pierre
Aura Lily is so cute! I’d happily sit down with the apple pie – mmm. Good for you on your shopping nous!
I’m not a huge fan of afternoon teas like this. I only enjoy paying inflated prices for things I CAN’T make myself. But that baby is adorable!
I’ve been craving spiders (ice cream sodas) lately; it’s the strangest thing! I’d always make them with creaming soda too
Sigh… I want to have tea too.
Stressed
Seems like you can’t expect cheap prices in the countryside! Those scones do look good though…
I was just in Katoomba last week. I’ll be sure to check this place out next time I’m around. Love the feel of it.
This makes me hungry for an old-fashioned meat pie! Is that a toy or an animal in the last photo?
Aw the photo of you and your bub is adorable!
I thought the wombat was real for a sec there! Agree on the prices, but the apple pie does look delicious~
You & the bub look pretty cute Lorraine
Your day in the country sounds a rare treat, prices are pretty weird but what the hell…, a day in the country & those bargains speak for themselves right! 
Wow, that apple pie is more expensive than the main!
I almost thought it’s a real wombat…;), so cute…! A slice of apple pie is $11.55, wow, that’s expensive…!
Oh that picture of the soda float is mouthwatering. I would kill for one right this moment!
man there are so many things I want to comment on about this post i dont know where to start!! Firstly, it’s the FINNS they loooove their nature!!! Panu has been harrassing me to go to his Uncle’s cabin somewhere in the Finland bush forever! Shame I haven’t been but they do love their nature
secondly, baby? That baby SUITS YOU *wink wink*. Thirdly.. that apple juice!! bizarrely today I also just blogged about a place whose juices are almost see through and water like as well! (but so tasty) and lastly OMG that apple pie looks TO DIE FOR. ok I’ll shut up now 
It is just so refreshing to travel up the mountains… (assuming you don’t sit in traffic for an hour!)
Wow that is rather pricey for a coffee shop but it did look tasty. That bowl for $2 is a huge bargain. Well done.
Isn’t she just the cutest baby, Auntie Lorraine?
Oh I love creaming soda! It totally takes me back
Well done on the wooden bowl! Such a bargain and its so fab
I’ve only been there once but would definitely go again. Such a peaceful place and the devonshire tea was very nice!
Beautiful location, bet it would be gorgeous in winter.
That steak pie looks awesome but the prices do look a little steep..
What an incredible experience! Can you start booking my holidays?
Post a Comment