Blue Mountains

For the first 25 years of British colonization, the unscalable walls of the Blue Mountains, 100km from the coast, cointained to growth and exploration of the new colony. Numerous expeditions approached the mountains only to come away stumped. Because so-called mountains are actually a sseries of canyons separated by several high plateaus, the explorers found cliffs at the edges of the valleys instead of hills. A successful route was not found until1813. Today, the mountains are the first stop on most trips west from sydney and an easy getaway for Sydney-siders.

Katoomba - small mountain town, brings information to tourists about surrounding. Katoomba offers excellent hiking, climbing and biking opportunities and is very convenient rail-accessible location.

Nearly everyone ventures out to Echo Point on the southernmost tip of town to take romantic view of the Three Sisters. From Echo Point, the 860-step Giant Stairway Walk makes a steep descent to the floor of  Jamison Valley. The Federal Pass trail snakes its way through the trees in the valley, passing Katoomba Falls and leads back to civilization. The Scenic Railway – world`s most steeply inclined railway or 250 meters long Scenic Skyway.

Blue Mountains is great opportunity to explore nature around Sydney. The Two-hours ride by train costs AUD 12.20 return from Central Station and it is worth it to see australian flora and fauna in its own enviroment.

Very interesting is path from the Three Sisters, down the Giant Staircase to the Scenic Railway. The whole route is very good marked and information signs inform you about estimated time to the destination and level of demand. Once you there, don’t forget short trip to the Katoomba Waterfalls.