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The Blue Mountains

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Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

The spectacular Blue Mountains are in New South Wales, Australia, approximately a 90 minute drive or 100 kilometres inland from Sydney depending on what part of the Blue Mountains you are going to. They were named The "Blue" Mountains by the first European settlers to Australia after arrival in Sydney due to the blue haze that eucalyptus forests give off when seen from a distance.

I visited the Blue Mountains in January 2011 on my return journey home after visiting the Snowy Mountains region in southern New South Wales.

As we were heading home after an already long trip away, we only stayed in the Blue Mountains for two nights at Katoomba which is the most popular tourist destination in the area. But there is much more to the Blue Mountains than Katoomba, so I will cover those areas that I did not visit this time towards the bottom of this page. We will have to return for a longer stay sometime in the future. I hope that you enjoy your virtual visit here.

Katoomba

A Historic Tourist Town

Katoomba is the most visited town in the Blue Mountains and one of the most visited tourist spots in Australia. It is a hotspot for backpackers, families and tourist buses on day trips from Sydney. No matter what the weather or the season is, Katoomba is always a busy town. Much of it's architecture hails back to the late 1800's and early 1900's so the town itself reminds me a lot of inner Melbourne and Sydney suburbs more than a mountain town.

Katoomba rose to popularity in the late 1800's as a tourist town due to it's location near The Three Sisters which is up there with Ayers Rock (Uluru) and the Twelve Apostles as the most photographed natural landmark in Australia. The early days of the town also saw it becoming a coal mining town as the Katoomba Coal Mine was opened in 1879. Coal was brought up from the side of the mountain using a cable car to bring the coal to the top. This is now the famous Scenic Railway at Scenic World which operates in the original cutting in the mountain side used by the mine and is the steepest incline railway in the world. This is one train trip that you have to take!

After Landing In Sydney

Find Your Way To The Blue Mountains

Katoomba is the centrepiece of the Blue Mountains where most tourists flock to first.

Scenic World at Katoomba

Photos from the afternoon we arrived

The glass bottomed Cable Car runs across the valley from the Scenic World tourist complex over to Echo Point near the Three Sisters. It runs across right in front of the spectacular Katoomba Falls which drop majestically 244 metres into the valley below.

The glass bottomed Cable Car runs across the valley from the Scenic World tourist complex over to Echo Point near the Three Sisters. It runs across right in front of the spectacular Katoomba Falls which drop majestically 244 metres into the valley below.

The glass bottomed Cable Car runs across the valley from the Scenic World tourist complex over to Echo Point near the Three Sisters. It runs across right in front of the spectacular Katoomba Falls which drop majestically 244 metres into the valley below.
The Katoomba Falls Caravan Park was our accommodation for the two nights that we were there. We stayed in these cedar cabins which were small but comfortable enough. The caravan park was ideally located right across the road from Katoomba Falls and Scenic World.
The rock formation that is known as The Three Sisters. It is the most photographed and visited part of the Blue Mountains and it's attraction is why the town of Katoomba became the central focus point of the Blue Mountains.
Mount Solitary as viewed from Scenic World at Katoomba. There are many good hiking trails around this area with some providing more challenging overnight walks such as the one to Mount Solitary.
The cliffs and valleys throughout the Blue Mountains offer endless stunning photo opportunities for the keen photographer.
The Scenic World Cableway that takes you down into the valley below.

Scenic World

I have to hunt down my video files from our visit to Scenic World so that I can upload our own video, but for now, there are these two videos which show most of the sites that we saw there.
Katoomba NSW Scenic Railway - Skyway The steepest railway line in the world
by blackheathau | video info

20 ratings | 10,574 views
curated content from YouTube

Scenery, What Scenery?

The next morning we woke in the middle of a cloud!

If you look carefully you can see the cable car crossing in the background. This would have been a magnificent view from this lookout if not for the mist.

If you look carefully you can see the cable car crossing in the background. This would have been a magnificent view from this lookout if not for the mist.

If you look carefully you can see the cable car crossing in the background. This would have been a magnificent view from this lookout if not for the mist.
Magnificent scenery...well on a clear day it would be!
This snake was curled up on the ground next to the lookout.
The upper reaches of Katoomba Falls before it plunges over the cliff and into the valley below.
The upper reaches of Katoomba Falls was beautiful in itself.
Cable car wires in the mist.
The Echo Point boarding station for the cable car.
Here you can just see the cable car approaching from Scenic World. As it started to look like the mist would clear, we decided to board it and pay for a day pass at this stage.
The mist cleared just in time to afford us a brief view of the Katoomba Falls
We could not see this pillar of rock earlier. Things were improving.

A Good Rain Coat Will Come In Handy Here

When visiting the Blue Mountains it pays to be prepared for any weather. I had a good water proof jacket but my wife and children did not so we had to hunt frantically all over town in the morning for some cheap ponchos which would do the trick. It seemed that we were not the only ones desperate for them, so most places had sold out.
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The Scenic Railway

The World's Steepest Incline Railway

Originally built to haul coal out of the valley

Here are a few videos showing various people experiencing the thrill of this journey. It is not a long ride, but it is definitely exciting. We must have done this trip 5 or 6 times during the day. My children could not get enough!
Scenic Railway
by rakutabinomon | video info

1 rating | 72 views
curated content from YouTube

City Or Country?

Do you prefer to visit cities or country areas when you go away?

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Cities are my favourite. Too many wild critters in the wilderness.

TransplantedSoul says:

I love both - but I think the cities are fascinating in different ways.

I love to get back to nature so I avoid cities when I am away.

ElleDeeEsse says:

I love both. I love the vibrancy of the city and the vistas and atmosphere of the bush. Since I live in a National Park I am occasionall drawn to the city for a change of pace.

 

Down In The Valley Below

We caught the Scenic Railway down - Cable car back up

Going down the world's steepest incline railway.

Going down the world's steepest incline railway.

Going down the world's steepest incline railway.
The view from the lower railway platform looking back up at the clearing mist.
Looking up at the cable car from the lower railway platform. This cable car would soon be taking us back up.
There is a lengthy board-walk flowing throughout the valley below. Along the board-walk there are lots of informative stops which teach visitors about the history of the site as a coal mine. This recreation of the mine was part of the sound and light self guided tour.
The view back up from a clearing along the board-walk. The platform above is the lower railway station platform.
When the incline railway was upgraded to take more passengers, the counter weight which goes up and down the valley above had to be upgraded also. This is an earlier counterweight lying abandoned in the valley.
Along the board-walk there is a mock up of an old mining hut that would have housed workers back in the day.
The cable car approaching as we wait for it to whisk us back to the top again.
A view from inside the cable car on the way back up. Katoomba Falls were now visible to the right.
Still in the cable car. The mist had cleared completely during the hour or so that we spent down in the valley.

Good Hiking Boots Are Essential Here

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Clowning around in the rain.

Clowning around in the rain.

Clowning around in the rain.
The upper part of Katoomba Falls
Having some fun in a replica mining cart similar to what was initially used to take the coal out of the valley on the incline railway.
A replica miners hut from the old coal mining days of Katoomba.
The entrance to the Three Sisters at Echo Point.
The soft rock is wearing away with exposure to the weather.
A different view of the Three Sisters from the path leading down to them.
Looking back at Echo Point from the Three Sisters. You can only walk out to the first of the sisters.

The Legend Of The Three Sisters

There are three of these statues at the Scenic World entrance

The most commonly told legend of the Three Sisters is that there were once three sisters; "Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' who lived in the Jamison Valley with the Katoomba tribe. They fell in love with three brothers from a neighbouring tribe but as marriage was forbidden by tribal law, the angry brothers decided to use force to capture the three sisters.This caused a major tribal battle and the sisters were turned to stone by a tribal witch doctor to protect them. Unfortunately he was killed in the fighting and no one else could turn them back again.

This legend is disputable though as there is an alternative story and another story saying that neither stories are even true. Some say that the legend was fabricated in the early 1900's to attract visitors to the site. Either way, the Three Sisters are spectacular and the story is intriguing.

Click on the photo to learn more about this fascinating Aboriginal legend.

More Photos From Scenic World

And The Three Sisters

Looking through the glass bottom of the Skyway to the Katoomba Falls below. It is over 200 metres to the valley floor below.

Looking through the glass bottom of the Skyway to the Katoomba Falls below. It is over 200 metres to the valley floor below.

Looking through the glass bottom of the Skyway to the Katoomba Falls below. It is over 200 metres to the valley floor below.
The three Sisters and Mount Solitary looking out from Echo Point. This where most photos of the Three Sisters are taken.
The creek between the upper part of Katoomba Falls and the lower part which goes over the 200 metre high cliff face.
Looking from the top of the upper part of Katoomba Falls back down to where we had crossed earlier.
Some of the more than 100 year old remnants that are left in the valley from the coal mining days.
The famous Giant Stairway is also found at Echo Point. It winds it's way via 800 steps down into the valley below from right next to the Three Sisters at the top.
Looking out of the Skyway towards Mount Solitary.
Looking back towards Scenic World from the Three Sisters

Find Out More About This Region Here

Blue Mountains Australia - Accommodation, Attractions...
Blue Mountains Australia accommodation availability online, plus Blue Mountains visitor information.
Scenic World Blue Mountains Australia - Family Adventure Holidays
Scenic World located in the Blue Mountains, Australia is a world listed Heritage Park offering a range of experiences for family adventures and visitors which are found nowhere else on Earth. Open daily from 9am - 5pm.
Blue Mountains (New South Wales)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.
Blue Mountains Tourism, Accommodation & Tours
Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centres

There is plenty more to do around the Blue Mountains

As our time was limited on this trip, we chose to only visit Katoomba this time around, but there are lots of different activities to do in the region. You could easily spend a couple of weeks here and not be bored.

Zig Zag Railway
The Zig Zag Railway is a heritage railway located on the north western side of the Blue Mountains near Lithgow. The Zig Zag railway was considered an engineering feat in it's day when it formed part of the main western line from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and west to Bathurst. It operated between 1869 and 1910 when it was replaced by a tunnel deviation. I visited this railway as a child, but my memories of it are very vague.

Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves are located on the south western side of the Blue Mountains National Park and are regarded as Australia's most outstanding cave system. Featuring eleven spectacular caves, underground rivers and incredible formations, Jenolan Caves are among the best and oldest cave systems in the world. I have never been there but I have friends who say it is amazing.

Blue Mountains Walkabout
Blue Mountains Walkabout is an Aboriginal guided tour where you learn all about the history and customs of the local indigenous people. The walk begins in the Blue Mountains on Faulconbridge Railway Station platform at 10.35am Mon to Friday but 10.45am on weekends and public holidays. It ends at the next station (Springwood) by 5.30pm. Go to 19:25 in this video for the story on this tour.

Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls is a town on the Great western Highway from Sydney and is located just before Katoomba. It is named after the nearby waterfall of the same name which were in turn named after early Blue Mountains explorer, William Charles Wentworth. Aside from the spectacular falls, the area is an important place for Aboriginals with some sacred sites near the top of the waterfall at Kings Tableland. Carbon dating that this ancient site was occupied by indigenous people some 22,000 years ago.
The Great Lithgow Zig-Zag Railway, Australia.
by EARLOFEXETER | video info

14 ratings | 8,963 views
curated content from YouTube

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Ever Been To The Blue Mountains?

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  • wecomparebooks May 24, 2012 @ 4:59 pm | delete
    You are blessed!
  • ElleDeeEsse May 22, 2012 @ 3:26 am | delete
    It's a shame you didn't get to see the view but the mountains on a misty day are beautiful as well
  • TransplantedSoul Mar 11, 2012 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    I do not think I'll be driving. Your map above said that my trip would be "25,625 km, 56 days 6 hours" of driving, including multiple ferries. (From Ottawa Canada)
  • RawBill May 21, 2012 @ 7:10 pm | delete
    Multiple Ferries! Hmm, I think multiple flights would be much easier! LOL :-)
  • dellgirl Feb 21, 2012 @ 5:33 pm | delete
    This is a great lens, it’s very informative! Thank you for sharing, I learned something new here.
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Image courtesy of tagsforkids (Steve Thompson)

About RawBill

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RawBill

I am a fairly active person who is involved in Archery, Mountain Biking, Hiking and Kayaking. Yep, I love the outdoors!
So naturally, the Blue Mounta... more »

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