The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains

After a few days of soaking up the sun and sights in Sydney  it was time to put my walking boots back on and hit the mountains.

About 100km West of Sydney lies the infamous Blue Mountains. 247,000 hectares of wilderness dressed with over a million eucalyptus trees.

Stopping at Kings Tableland Lookout the Jamison valley spread out across the horizon. The most mesmerising part of this view was the piercing chirping of the cicadas below.

Hiking down the mountain

Getting down into the valley was incredible (and hot!) Climbing the 280 steps down to Wentworth falls didn’t sound like it would be as hard work as it was. The cockatoos soaring around us as we climbed down the steep steps cut into the rock were a great distraction. It is no wonder that Charles Wentworth and his fellow explorers were deemed heroes when they first crossed the valley in 1813.

Cooling off in the refreshing waters was a real treat before the hard slog back up the mountain in the midday heat.

Next on the itinerary was walking through the valley. Effortlessly we glided down the valley looking out to the Three Sisters on the Scenic World cable car.

The board walk through the forest was crowed (it was the Saturday after New Year so it was bound to be busy..!) but looking up at the canopy of trees looming above us was awesome.

Cable car

Now for the return journey. At a 52 degree incline  the Scenic Railway (originally part of the Katoomba mining tramway) is the steepest railway in the world. I felt like I was on a fairground ride. Holding on tight to the top of the metal mesh ‘cage’ as we whizzed backwards up the valley. It only took a few minutes but was so much fun.

A great day out, a lovely walk and fun trip into the valley. My only disappointment is that the Blue Mountains weren’t very blue…!