Two hours west from Sydney is the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains, known for the blue haze that hovers atop the mountains. This region is made up of seven separate national parks and is around 10,000 square kilometres in size. You can easily spend a few days exploring the many scenic cliffs, waterfalls and rainforests here.
This area is best known for the iconic Three Sisters, which are in Echo Point near the main tourist town of Katoomba. The sandstone cliffs overlook the Blue Mountains National Park and have been around for more than fifty million years. The scenic view is one of the most well-known rock formations in the country. Park your campervan or motorhome here and spend time gazing at the marvellous landscape.
From here, there is still plenty of beauty yet to see. Head to Wentworth Falls, where stunning waterfalls flow on the edge of the Jamison Valley. The town itself has charming cafes, shops and picnic areas. You should also stop into Scenic World, as it gives you opportunity to see the Blue Mountains from a different perspective: above. Take the Scenic Railway, which has cable cars that descend from the clifftops into the cool-climate rainforest. You can also take the Scenic Railway for a thrill, which is the world’s steepest train track.
If you have more than one day to spend in the Blue Mountains, be sure to make time for the Jenolan Caves, which can add at least another 1.5 hours of travel time. This is where you’ll find eleven amazing caves, underground rivers and cliff formations. It is one of the oldest cave systems in the world and worth seeing. There are guided tours, including an eerie ghost tour, and acoustic concerts. Above ground, take in the beauty of the Blue Lake.
There is so much to see if you have the luxury of self-driving. Greater Blue Mountains Drive consists of connected roads and discovery trails that surround the 10,000-square kilometre World Heritage area. From here, you can also journey to the many impressive surrounding regions. You’ll never forget the amazing views within the Blue Mountains.
