... The first time I went, in 1995, my whole week’s stay in Sydney was marred by bad weather, so we didn’t go. Last year there were bush fires. So …. third time lucky!
* Booking *
Many companies travel to the mountains – it’s one of New South Wales' most popular attractions. We booked ... Read review
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Advantages: scenery, eating, fun Disadvantages: err .. none whatsoever!
...I’d always wanted to visit the Blue Mountains. The first time I went, in 1995, my whole week’s stay in Sydney was marred by bad weather, so we didn’t go. Last year there were bush fires. So …. third time lucky!
* Booking *
Many companies travel to the mountains – it’s one of New South Wales' most popular attractions. We booked with AAT Kings, they are Oz’s number one day tour operator. My friend booked at travelthere.com ... ...cheaper than the brochure price. The total cost for the day online was $92.82 (about £40).
Payment was by credit card – a voucher is then emailed to you so be sure to print that off as it will be collected at your pick up point.
Collection and drop offs are at your local hotel.
* Trip duration *
8.45 am to around 5.45pm (we arrived at our hotel at 6.10 pm).
* Itinerary * more
While on my recent trip to Australia, my friend and I spent a few days in Sydney. This was my third trip there and I’d always wanted to visit the Blue Mountains. The first time I went, in 1995, my whole week’s stay in Sydney was marred by bad weather, so we didn’t go. Last year there were bush fires. So …. third time lucky!
* Booking *
Many companies travel to the mountains – it’s one of New South Wales' most popular attractions. We booked with AAT Kings, they are Oz’s number one day tour operator. My friend booked at travelthere.com (a company based in Queensland) as it was 8 dollars cheaper than the brochure price. The total cost for the day online was $92.82 (about £40).
Payment was by credit card – a voucher is then emailed to you so be sure to print that off as it will be collected at your pick up point.
Collection and drop offs are at your local hotel.
* Trip duration *
8.45 am to around 5.45pm (we arrived at our hotel at 6.10 pm).
* Itinerary *
1) Featherdale wildlife park – opportunity for mid-morning snack, tea/coffee. 2) Blue Mountains and lunch at own expense 3) Scenic World 4) Quick tour of Olympic Stadium Back to hotel
* A little history *
In the early 1800s many people tried to cross these mountains but all attempts failed until 1813, when three men, Gregory Blaxland, William Wentworth and Lieutenant Lawson had a go. They took over two weeks to reach the other side but it was to create history. In 1814 a road was constructed by 30 convicts and 9 soldiers. The convicts would be granted their freedom if they built the road within six months. It was done in four. The road was 167 kms in length.
Only the wealthy travelled to the Blue Mountains, they had holiday homes to escape the humidity of Sydney. In 1867 a railway line was completed and opened up which brought in even more people. But it wasn’t until the 1940s to 1970s that the place really boomed and became popular. This was primarily because Sydney was becoming busier. The mountains were an ideal escape as they are around one and half to two hours drive from the city.
There are 26 suburbs between Penrith and the other side of the mountains.
* Useless info *
The mountains are 218,000 hectares and are part of the Great Dividing Range. The highest peak is 1,070 feet above sea level.
The Blue Mountains are so called because of rays of light striking dust particles and small droplets of moisture in the atmosphere cause the ever-present haze. The area is covered with Eucalypt trees from which tiny droplets of oil evaporate.
The Great Western Highway takes you up to the Blue Mountains. Driving along the highway you leave suburbia behind and travel towards the mountains, faintly in the foreground, yet never seeming to get any nearer.
* What’s there? *
Among other things, a hospital, college, retirement home, churches, shops, restaurants, art galleries, emergency services and hotels.
* Temperatures *
During winter (June-August), the average temperature in the Upper Mountains is approximately 5°C, while in summer (December-February), the average temperature is approximately 18°C. The rainfall is similar to that of Sydney.
* Popular spots *
Katoomba – the second most visited spot in New South Wales. The main attraction here is the Edge cinema with its six storey high screen.
Scenic World – be sure to travel on the Sceniscender, the newest $8 million cable car, carrying you smoothly up or down the mountains. {My tip – travel down by the scenic railway if you like a fright and go back up by the Sceniscender}.
The railway has the world’s steepest incline. Tall people beware – there’s a cage above and on the right hand side of the train so if you don’t want to have your head resting on the ceiling, sit on the open side where there’s more room! It can feel very claustrophobic otherwise. The trip only lasts a couple of minutes and is a very slow ride, although the dips do seem nearly vertical!
The Sceniscender is more serene and is a large cable car enabling stunning views to be seen and photographed. 84 passengers are carried up on a 3 minute journey over the valley 454 metres below, past the Three Sisters.
Three Sisters – named after 3 Aboriginal Sisters, this is a rock formation and a photo of this is a must! Echo Point is another popular attraction although we didn’t stop there.
The Sceniscender handily brings you up into the gift shop, where there’s a large variety of mementoes just begging to be bought. And don’t forget your postcards and bush tucker for the relatives back home!
Railway/Sceniscender return ticket costs $12. Last rides are at 4.50pm.
* Govett’s Leap *
This was our first stop. We were given the option of taking the 20 minute walk down to the lookout but as time was short, my friend and I stayed on board the coach. There are restrooms here and this is a popular picnic spot.
I have to say the picture that greeted me was spectacular – straight ahead were the mountains. The shaded ones did, indeed, appear blue. Down below were green trees and to the side, cliffs with matching horizontal layers, the sandstone. On the right hand cliff the red shale halfway down indicated there’s vegetation growing.
Comparable to the Grand Canyon some say, although greener!
* Food *
Our lunch stop was at Leura. The restaurant was called Terra Firma and was a set menu of $20. Some of our companions had already paid for their meal (included in the tour price) and our driver said we were welcome to come along as the portions were generous! (Err, you didn’t have to ask me twice!).
Garlic bread and a soft drink were included along with four main meals (I had a warm chicken salad) followed by either ice cream or pavlova with fresh fruit and cream. Well worth the money.
Leura had many shops including a bakery. Sandwiches can be purchased and eaten al fresco. There’s also a quaint Christmas shop that’s worth a visit!
* Experience it *
I can’t possibly describe all the places one can visit here, although I’ve given a small indication. Wentworth Falls is another popular stop.
The mountain air is bracing – don’t go up there in teeny clothing! You’ll feel a lot cooler up there than in the glare of the Sydney sun. The scenery is dramatic and peaceful away from the busy pace of the city. It makes you feel insignificant.
This is a long day, and involves an early start and a fair amount of walking (sensible shoes are a must). Go away with fabulous memories and photographs to remember your day by.
* Recommended *
Obviously, yes! The highlight for me was going on the world’s steepest train. I was apprehensive, especially after the young coach driver showed us a dvd onboard of all the tourists screaming when they were on it! He lined up with us and continued to wind me up (hmph!). However, I was not deterred and was secretly pleased I didn’t chicken out. The ride on the Sceniscender is an excellent way of seeing the depth of the mountains and valleys and getting some idea of the scale.
I think there’s something for everyone. The kids will love the train and Sceniscender and the adults will appreciate just being able to sit and enjoy the beautiful views and spectacular rock formations. However, there are plenty of other activities for the more adventurous such as hiking, cycling, abseiling and rock climbing.
The beauty of the mountains is apparent from the start. The vulnerability of the trees on show from previous bush fires. It’s a day I won’t forget.
This is a highly recommended tour on your trip to Sydney. The full 5 stars for a great day and professional service. It was worth the nine year wait!
* Getting there *
Train from Sydney Central to Blue Mountains around 1 hour service to Katoomba.
Advantages: Lots to see & do, easy to get to Disadvantages: Not for the lazy
...I feel that this is the only time of year that the British weather and Sydney weather is virtually the same. A small, annual window of opportunity to share something with our Antipodean friends without even knowing it.
Some friends of ours had invited us the day before to visit some horse racing stables "out West" as they had a race horse in training and given it was destined to be a lovely day we decided on an early start. The trip itself was uneventful ... ...may as well go to The Blue Mountains as we are only 30 minutes away. "Sounds great" so off we went.
The Blue Mountains are approx 100 kms West of Sydney (60-90 minutes drive) and form part of The Great Dividing Range. This was an impenetrable barrier on the voyage of discovery and it wasn't until 1813 that they were crossed by Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and a Lieutenant Lawson, along with four servants. By July 1814 a 47 mile road ...
TheWizardsSleeve 15.10.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blue Mountains
Advantages: Lots to see and do, mostly for free. A little bit of the rain forest just hours from Sydney Disadvantages: Public transport links could be better
...amount of time. I'm at the beginning of a 4 month trip to Australia, 3 months of which will be spent working in Sydney, so technically I could have sorted out our trip to the Blue Mountains myself. However a quick glance at google told me lots of organisations had already done the leg work and were offering organised tours to the region so I pictured myself spending my spare time on the beach rather than planning a trip and booked us on one of these.
... ...couple of hours by train. The main tourism site, http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/Default.asp gives details of how to get there, driving directions and so on. The region has lots of things to do and see, but there are a few 'must-do' things that most day tripper tourists get through.
THE THREE SISTERS at ECHO POINT
This rock formation of 3 large imposing blocks, each towering over 900m tall, is accompanied by a number of different legends that ...
zoe_page 26.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blue Mountains
Advantages: Beautiful, Awe Inspiring, Breath Taking Disadvantages: If you enjoy beautifull countryside then none at all
The Blue Mountains are situated about 65 Kilometres west of Sydney in the State of New South Wales. Forming part of the Great Dividing Range, which runs all the way up to Queensland, the Blue Mountains were impenetrable for 25 years after European settlement when it was decided to give the job of building a road through the mountains to the convicts. The deal was if they could build a road through in six months they could have their freedom, of course ... ...my second visit out to the Mountains, I did it in 2003 as a backpacker, but this time, as a fully fledged Sydneysider I took the car, which meant a 90 minute journey, the first 45 mins crawling along in the Sydney morning rush hour traffic. Once we got on the Highway 4 – The Great Western Highway, it was plain sailing and we fair flew.
I was day tripping with two friends from my last job back in England who are out here travelling, separately but ...
Looby5 25.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blue Mountains
Advantages: Great scenery, great walking, free! Lots of activities, near to Sydney. Disadvantages: None!
The Blue Mountains are less than 100km from Sydney Harbour Bridge so it's not surprising that this area is very popular with visitors. The area is good all year round although it can get hot in summer and very cold during the night in winter. Spring and autumn are good for wildflowers and colours. To see the 'blueness' of the mountains, summer is the best time, this is because the blue haze actually comes from the sun shining on the Eucalyptus trees ... ...the sun, the more prominent this is.
The main towns in the area are Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath. I only visited Katoomba which is a quiet little town with great character and really friendly and welcoming people. There are 4 backpacker hostels and a few hotels here. I stayed in one of the backpackers and paid $18 for a dorm room which also offered free use of internet and free tea and coffee to fuel my caffeine addiction.
***Major Attractions***
...
Allyalcock 01.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blue Mountains
Advantages: Beautiful part of the world Disadvantages: The region is on the other side of the planet!
...but has lived here in the UK with my mum for over 25 years, so I am a Brit with an Aussie background!
I have been to Australia 3 times in my 19 years to visit my dad's family and on the last visit at Xmas 1997 we took a few days out to visit the Blue Mountains, a region about 200 miles due west of Sydney.
The area is easily reached on a large motorway straight out of Sydney, so if you are in the city on a visit, why not combine the cosmoplitan ... ...Australia at Christmas!) took in the main attraction of the region, a stunning giant natural rock formation called the Three Sisters. The formation is comprised of three pillars of rock jutting up from the floor of a massive valley covered in forest. To see it is to believe that such a wondorous sight can exist! Just take a few minutes to admire the view on a sunny day when the skies are blue (incidentally, the area is known as the Blue Mountains ...
aussiejoe 21.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Blue Mountains
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Advantages: Quiet, Spectacular Disadvantages: Not enough for a long trip
If you are staying in Sydney and want a break from the hustle and bustle, take a day trip to the BlueMountains.
Only a short train journey away but it feels like a different world!
The spectacular scenery and fresh country air make the BlueMountains a really nice retreat, I had a very pleasant stay at the Katoomba YHA, where a double room was less than $40.
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Advantages: Woderful place to visit Disadvantages: none
What a beautiful place - as a strict county bloke I've never liked cities but the one exception has to be Sydney. The huge harbour is home to ships and sails of all shapes and sizes, with Ferries plying their way across the harbour. Centrepoint tower has to be the best place to start an exploration of the city, from the magnificent veiwing decks the tourist can see over Botany Bay one way and over to the BlueMountains the other. A monorail links the city with close outlying areas such as Darling Harbour where restaurants and bars luine the waterside. For the backpacker there is no end of backpacker motels and YHA's with plenty of pubs scattered around them! Outside of the city, the BlueMountains is a great place to visit. ...
