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Slideshow

Blue Mountains N.P.

 

POPULAR

(must-sees for the 5-days-tourist)

The Blue Mountains get their name from a blue haze produced by thousands of Eucalypt trees which release a blue coloured vapour into the atmosphere.
We planned five days of rest, wonderful scenery and York Fairmont Resort in the National Park at a place called Leura and everything you will want to see in the Blue Mountains is just minutes away. It is quite a big hotel but it is rather special. Our room cost on average $520.00 AUS and you couldn't fault it. Click here and have a look. http://www.fairmontresort.com.au

Day One

One amazing way to see the Blue Mountains is by air, fly from the centre of Sydney out over the Opera House and the harbour bridge and then out over the city skyline. The helicopter will follow the River Parramatta then head for the Warragamba Dam. All the way along your journey you will be amazed by the landscape below the incredible sights of the Megalong and Jamieson valleys follow.
Once you are in the Blue Mountains National Park you will see below tumbling waterfalls, sheer Sandstone cliff faces and an endless expanse of forest.
Prices for the Blue Mountains Heli-Magic tour start from around $820 AUS per person (minimum of two passengers) and last for around one and a half hours Blue Mountains Heli-Magic tours can be booked online at http://www.sydneyhelitours.com.au.

Day two

We went to see the Jenolan Caves which are some of the oldest caves in the world, nice. On the way back we stopped off at Silks in the Mall Leura this is a sort of brassiere and serves a great lunch and oh yes they bake their own bread. Expect to pay around $60.00 - $80.00 AUS for lunch and expect to enjoy it, you will. http://www.silksleura.com

In the evening we slipped out for a walk and discovered Loaves and the Dishes a great Pie Café in the Mall, beer was cheap and the pies were filling I understand, at last I had Lamb, mmh! All in the cost for two with plenty of beer was $55.00.

Day three

Today we just walked, it is difficult to describe the beauty of the Blue Mountains, they are wonderful and everyone should just go for a walk among them. Where we were staying is pretty much the end of the town and so a short walk took us to a trail and a trail took us to Robert's Pass, Robert's Pass is amazing and give a great view of the landscape full of rock, trees and wildlife.

In the evening we were so tired we just grabbed a taxi and went down to Katoomba its about two miles from the hotel. We had heard about Echoes Restaurant and the views from the dining room - frankly we were so used to sweeping views of fantastic scenery we hardly noticed them - but the food was excellent.
Echoes is another boutique hotel - whatever that is, we were more interested in the food and it was amazing! I had the Rack of Lamb with green pea mashand tarragon mustard sauce and didn't care that someone spelt tarragon without an 'o.' The duchess had Double roasted Barbary Duck with poached apple,honey & coriander sauce with all of the 'o's' in the right places. We opted for the two course dinner both of us having the Belgian chocolate Fondant with champagne lavenderice cream and gladly paid $75.00 AUS each. Tease yourself here www.echoeshotel.com.au.

Day four

Back down to Katoomba again for the Skyway, which is a ride 270 meters above the waterfalls and ravines of the Blue Mountains in a glass bottomed cable car thing. The little twist is that the floor is opened at the flip of a switch strange. Adult $16.00, Child (4 years to 13 years), $8.00, Family Pass $40.00, there are prices for one way but like most people I imagine I wanted to come back. While you are at Scenic world you may as well take the other two rides and get your fill of the scenery we did. The Scenic Railway drops 415 metres down what they say is the steepest incline in the world and I have no way of knowing whether that is the truth or not - I can tell you it is steep.

Strangely enough you arrive at the Scenic Cableway Platform and the Scenic Walkways so be prepared to part with more cash. Prices for a return journey are: Adult $19.00, Child (4 years to 13 years), $10.00, Family Pass $48.00.

The Scenic walkway is free and lets you walk along about two kilometres of boardwalk above the rain forest. After that and a quick drink of pure mountain spring water you can board the Scenic Cableway or presumable the Scenic Railway wouldn't turn you away. And ride what is only described as "The steepest aerial cable car in Australia!" All the same it is great and costs the same as the Railway.

Day five

Last day, and time to shop, the place to shop is Katoomba it has everything you need for souvenirs, plus when you shop you have that view not far away. For lunch we took a cab from Katoomba to Bilpin, you can actually see Bilpin from Katoomba across the Blue Mountains on a clear day but the drive is a bit of a trek to Lithgow and then over Mt Tomah, but we had been told all about The Apple Bar, a country cottage and wanted to see it for ourselves.

To tell the truth it is only about 15 miles but the road does go up hill and down dale so it takes a while but the Apple Bar didn't disappoint, it was the best and the cheapest food we had all the time we were in the Blue Mountains, Lamb from a wood-fired grill is mmh and only $21.00 AUS. Garlic and Herb bread to die for at $8.00 AUS check them out here http://www.applebar.com.au.

NATURE & GEOLOGY

The Blue Mountains are a mountainous area west of Sydney. The area contains gorges up to 760 metres deep and has a high point of around 1,190 above sea level. Expect to see Kangaroos hundreds of them everywhere and expect most other wildlife to run away from them and you Possums try to be discreet but occasionally get hit by cars, keep an eye out for Kookaburras up in the trees with the Koala.

HISTORY

Known for generations by Aborigines the Blue Mountains were originally named the Carmarthen Hills in 1788 the locals soon gave them the name that is popular today. It was believed that The Blue Mountains were some sort of barrier to the colonial expansion but this probably was not the case although until 1815 when the first road was built the area was largely unexplored.
In 2000 the Blue Mountains were designated a World Heritage Area and enjoy a high degree of protection. Today more than 3 million people visit the Blue Mountains National Park each year.

CULTURE

This is most of all an all year round holiday resort and the people who work and live in the area are happy to see you as long as you bring sackfuls of cash and leave more or less empty handed, but they probably don't want you to know that and so smile a lot.

POLITICAL

As with Sydney the Blue Mountains National Park is administered by the Government of New South Wales, the Governor of New South Wales is appointed by the Queen of England and after each election the Governor appoints the Premier to run the state. The Premier is the leader of the party which received the largest number of votes in the state elections and once appointed then appoints a government from his or her party.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The first road across the mountains was built in 1815 by 30 convicts and took just 27 weeks. Today the roads though not wide are perfect for getting around on - do watch out for wildlife and hikers, both seems to want to be knocked over and both deserve not to be even if they are a little 'challenged' here and there!

DOS & DON'TS

Don't forget to tell someone where you are hiking. Take a mobile phone and a hand held GPS with you if walking. Be careful of the edge of most of the ravines they have a tendency to crumble and the drop is usually a long one. Do use open fires in the forests, Eucalyptus are full of resin and burn easily. Take litter home with you. Keep your eyes open for snakes in the long grass and occasionally hanging from trees.

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