With plenty of time in Sydney we decided to head off on a day trip and explore the surrounding areas. A good day trip from Sydney is to the Blue Mountains - a quite beautiful set of mountains and valleys, where the eucalyptus give the valley a blue tinge.
There are many walks to choose from, but we found there wasn't much point in trying to rely on the maps (cost $3) or signs as they are pretty terrible. We spent a fair amount of time discussing routes with people along the way who were just as confused. Instead, as we ended up doing, is to just wander along looking at the views - you can't really go wrong (just don't go too far into the forest!)
The main site in the area is the Three Sisters, which is a rock outcrop made up of three pinnacles just outside Katoomba - the main town in the area. This section was very busy with the bus tours that stopped to take in the views, but from here you can go right towards (the quite horrifically named) 'Scenic World' where you can go on a near vertical train (used to be used for the quarry in the cliff) or gondala down to the bottom of the cliff or a large 'Sky View' gondala across the Katoomba Waterfall valley. Again these were also very busy, particularly with the chinese tour groups, and in our opinion, a complete waste of money. You are better off following the tracks along the edge and down into the valley where you will be up close to the waterfalls, flora and fauna.
We were a little tight on time as we only visited for the day so we didn't have time to get to the bottom of the valley, but we were really there for the views anyway so jumped on the public bus (opal cards work) and went to start our walk at Scenic World back along the top.
The views were spectacular and there were many spots and viewpoints for a good photo. The Katoomba falls were worth the walk down and back up the steps, as the views from the base were completely uninterrupted out over the forest below.
Once back past the three sisters however, and heading towards Leura we found it to be much much much quieter (without the requests for photos to be taken and dodging the selfie sticks!) and the views were just as good.
There is a circular walk you can do which takes in it all (cliff top and forest at the base), but you will need to be fairly fit and get their early/leave late if you are to do it in a day.
Also, be wary of leeches in the forest, on my previous trip Rob and I were literally attacked by them, picking them up on our boots every step.
It was really easy to get to Katoomba which is the main stopping point for the Blue Mountains. A great benefit is that you can use your Opal card, which means max cost will be $15 on a normal day, just $2.50 on a Sunday or Free if you have used it 6 days in a row! Given the cost of a single ticket is just over $7 from Sydney's Central station it is a cheap and good day out! The train takes about 2 hours, so you will need to catch an early train if you are to make a day of it... but take note that many other poeple have the same idea so the train can become busy. An alternative is to stay over at one of the many guesthouses.
If you want to have a bit more of a tour, there is a scenic drive and the Jenolan caves, which we hear are pretty good, (if, again expensive) but you will need to go on a tour or really have a car for this.
Top tip: don't bother with the hop on hop off buses, just use the public bus or your feet to get around - the distances are not far and by the time you have waited for a bus you may as well have walked it.
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| Lots of great views! |
There are many walks to choose from, but we found there wasn't much point in trying to rely on the maps (cost $3) or signs as they are pretty terrible. We spent a fair amount of time discussing routes with people along the way who were just as confused. Instead, as we ended up doing, is to just wander along looking at the views - you can't really go wrong (just don't go too far into the forest!)
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| A national park |
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| The three sisters |
The views were spectacular and there were many spots and viewpoints for a good photo. The Katoomba falls were worth the walk down and back up the steps, as the views from the base were completely uninterrupted out over the forest below.
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| Beautiful spot to enjoy the view with the sound of the waterfall |
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| So many views! |
Also, be wary of leeches in the forest, on my previous trip Rob and I were literally attacked by them, picking them up on our boots every step.
It was really easy to get to Katoomba which is the main stopping point for the Blue Mountains. A great benefit is that you can use your Opal card, which means max cost will be $15 on a normal day, just $2.50 on a Sunday or Free if you have used it 6 days in a row! Given the cost of a single ticket is just over $7 from Sydney's Central station it is a cheap and good day out! The train takes about 2 hours, so you will need to catch an early train if you are to make a day of it... but take note that many other poeple have the same idea so the train can become busy. An alternative is to stay over at one of the many guesthouses.
If you want to have a bit more of a tour, there is a scenic drive and the Jenolan caves, which we hear are pretty good, (if, again expensive) but you will need to go on a tour or really have a car for this.
Top tip: don't bother with the hop on hop off buses, just use the public bus or your feet to get around - the distances are not far and by the time you have waited for a bus you may as well have walked it.
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