New South Wales - Australia
General | Travel Planning | Suggested Tours
Location
The Blue Mountains are just 90 minutes drive west of Sydney. Trains leave Sydney’s Central Station for the Blue Mountains several times daily, on a line which also serves the Olympic sites at Penrith and Homebush.
Background
Named for their distinctive blue haze, a result of eucalyptus oil evaporating from millions of gum trees, the Blue Mountains have long been a popular holiday destination. They are famous for the grandeur of their scenery, with spectacular rock formations, vast plummeting gorges and sheer sandstone cliffs hundreds of metres high.
Situated on the Great Dividing Range at an average altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, the Blue Mountains is a vast and rugged natural wilderness area containing three National Parks totalling almost 250,000 hectares; for which a World Heritage Listing has been proposed.
Initially perceived as an impenetrable barrier for early explorers, the Blue Mountains and the rich farmlands beyond were opened up by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth in 1813. Today the Great Western Highway closely follows the route blazed by the explorers, winding its way along a string of 26 mountain townships.
Reasons to visit
Experience the sheer luxury of snuggling up in front of a roaring log fire - romantic escapes have always been a Blue Mountains speciality. Indulge in stylish shopping in boutiques, antique stores and galleries; enjoy an eclectic mix of fine food and wine; then relax at a luxury hotel, resort, or one of the many charming guesthouses or cosy bed and breakfasts.
The Three Sisters is the most famous Blue Mountains attraction. These three soaring rock pinnacles are the subject of Aboriginal legend.
To the west of Katoomba lie Jenolan Caves, arguably the world’s best labyrinth of caverns and limestone formations.
The Norman Lindsay Gallery was the home of the controversial artist for 57 years and now houses a collection of his paintings, etchings and memorabilia. More recently, it was used to shoot the film Sirens, the story of Lindsay’s career, which featured Australian model Elle Macpherson.
One of the greatest railway engineering achievements of the 19th century was the construction of the Great Zig Zag Railway. Its system of tunnels and sandstone viaducts, built from 1866 to 1869, allowed trains to descend 5Km from the Blue Mountains plateau through a deep, rugged ravine to the valley 210 metres below. Closed 41 years later, it now provides visitors with nostalgic steam train rides.
The world’s steepest railway, the Katoomba Scenic Rail, travels from the cliff top at Katoomba down into the Jamison Valley. Above, the Skyway carries passengers along a ropeway 206 metres above the valley floor.
Stroll through magnificent private gardens during special openings for Spring and Autumn garden festivals, or visit the cold climate Mt Tomah Botanic Garden featuring alpine plants, rhododendrons and panoramic views of the district.
Katoomba’s Maxvision giant screen is six storeys high and features The Edge - The Movie, a destination movie on the wilderness of the Blue Mountains featuring the rare and ancient Wollemi Pine.
(Copyright New South Wales Tourism)
General | Travel Planning | Suggested Tours
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