Wildflowers, saunas and antiques: a local’s guide to the Blue Mountains

‘You’re really immersed in the environment and birdsong,’ says Blue Mountains artist Nastia Gladushchenko. Composite: Guardian Australia

My partner and I are both creatives. Six years ago we were living in a tiny apartment in Sydney’s inner west, and I was paying extra for a studio. It wasn’t sustainable so we decided to move to Katoomba, on the traditional lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra people.

I read an article recently saying something like “skip it, it’s not at its best” but Katoomba has a beautiful authenticity, even if it’s not quite polished.