(114 km west of Sydney)

Trip duration: One day or overnight.

On the road
Reached in just over one hour’s drive along the Great Western Highway, stopping on the way at the Australian Wildlife Park at Australia’s Wonderland, Sydney’s largest theme park. 45 km west of Sydney.

BLUE MOUNTAINS

The Blue Mountains have been a favourite holiday resort for Sydneysiders, for more than a century. Rising from the coastal plain 65 km west of Sydney, they combine a unique blend of superb mountain scenery and outstanding geographical features, with highly developed tourist attractions.

Must see

The Norman Lindsay Gallery at Lindsay’s home at Faulconbridge, gives a fascinating look at this prominent Australian’s life and work as artist, writer and sculptor. The studio remains as he left it and the museum includes many fine examples of his work.

Wentworth Falls is where to catch the first glimpse of the grandeur of the mountains and English-style gardens, which are spectacular during autumn (April) and Spring (Sep-Nov).

Leura is a beautiful village well-known for its pretty gardens, arts and crafts shops, and cafes and tearooms. See the Leura Garden Festival held in early October. From Sublime Point lookout, a superb cliff drive follows the escarpment.

Katoomba is famous for the Three Sisters rock formations at Echo Point which stand like sentinels at the edge of the Jamison Valley. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park, there is a network of bushwalks. On the Scenic Railway, take a ride into the Jamison Valley, or take the Scenic Skyway cable car for a heart-stopping view of the Three Sisters.

Blackheath, has many has many pretty timber buildings, and St David’s Anglican Church is also made of wood. Bridle Veil Falls, at Govett’s Leap, is at 300m the largest single-drop waterfall in the mountains.

Megalong Valley for horseriding. Mount Victoria is a National Trust classified village with craft shops and a museum; nearby waterfalls and Pulpit Rock reserve.

Jenolan Caves, 80km south-west of Katoomba, the best-known complex of limestone caves in New South Wales, with nine systems containing a diversity of formations. Features carry such colourful names as Pillar of Hercules, The Woolshed, Fairies Bower, The Cathedral and The Angel’s Wing. Skeleton Caves gets its name from the remains of an Aborigine embedded in the floor, and in Jubilee Cave is The Whale’s Throat. Some of the most interesting and labyrinthine underground caves and above ground arches in Australia.

The Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens is a special cool climate complex, complete with restaurant, bookshop and barbecue area, on the Bells Line of the Road at Mt Tomah via Bilpin. It is situated along the northern ridge and the views are breathtaking. Nearby is the village of Mount Wilson where the mixture of volcanic soils and mild climate produces wonderful flora.

Mt Victoria

The most westerly settlement in the mountains is at the summit of Victoria Pass, which winds 3km off the range. A tollkeeper’s stone cottage is still to be seen by the highway and St Peter’s Anglican Church dates back to the 1870s.

Hartley, an old village which is now a protected historic site, on the banks of tiny Lett River. The most striking building, is the reek Revival court house, which dates from 1837. The 1846 post office is the oldest in Australia.

For further information, contact:

Blue Mountains Tourism Authority
Great Western Highway
GLENBROOK NSW 2773
Phone: (047) 39 6266
Fax: (047) 39 6787

Acknowledgement

Images courtesy of Tourism New South Wales

Tourism New South Wales releases materials solely for the purpose of positive promotion of New South Wales as a tourism and travel destination. Any breach of this copyright condition could result in legal action.

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