Two years ago I stepped off the plane at Sydney International Airport and made my first official footprints on Australian soil. As I was greeted by sunshine and warm, salty air, I also noticed several glossy airport billboards showcasing typical tourist landmarks. In between a glorified depiction of Sydney’s skyline at night and a close-up of the Opera House, there was a giant photograph of The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. I had never heard of The Three Sisters before but for several moments I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. Their jagged, rocky edges were highlighted by a dreamlike blue haze and the green valley below looked like it went on forever. I didn’t know at the time that I would eventually migrate to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa but I made a silent vow to myself that I would one day venture to the Blue Mountains and see the Three Sisters with my own eyes. Two years later, I did – and it was magical.
The Blue Mountains are located 1.5 hours west of Sydney in New South Wales and consist of one million hectares of heritage protected bushland. During my time in the Blue Mountains I gathered several snapshots of pure wilderness, ancient rainforests, dramatic rock formations and valuable indigenous knowledge. The small mountain towns are friendly and charming and the untouched landscape is captivating. They are truly one of Australia’s hidden gems.
Here are the top five highlights from my journey to the Blue Mountains:
1. The Three Sisters and Echo Point
Echo Point is situated on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Jamison Valley. The Three Sisters, Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary are all easily visible from this lookout. There is also a restaurant, café and bar that have great views of the valley. A perfect place to have a glass of red and a wood fired pizza.
For more information, visit: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/Lookouts/Echo-Point-lookout-Three-Sisters
2. Scenic World
On the one hand, Scenic World is a tourist trap, however, the skyway, cableway, railway and boardwalk are strategically located to capture the best views of the Jamison Valley. A $40 pass will get you unlimited access to all four.
For more information, visit: http://www.scenicworld.com.au/
3. Waradah Aboriginal Show
The Blue Mountains are riddled with Aboriginal spiritual significance and contain hundreds of dreamtime stories and sacred sites. The Waradah Aboriginal Centre in Katoomba offers several daily live performances to educate tourists on Australian Aboriginal history and culture. Each performance is roughly 25 minutes and includes 4 dreamtime ceremonies regarding the boomerang, didgeridoo, native animals, creation stories and a smoking ceremony.
For more information, visit: http://waradahaboriginalcentre.com.au/the-centre/our-live-performances/
4. Hiking to Wentworth Falls
Do not leave the Blue Mountains without completing at least one hike. Each trail offers unique rock formations, sparkling waterfalls and a remote perspective of the mountains. Most walks are convenient and vary in length but they will all add a high degree of scenic value to your trip.
For more information, visit: http://www.bluemts.com.au/info/thingstodo/bushwalks/
5. Jenolan Caves and Blue Lake
The Jenolan Caves is a sacred Aboriginal healing place. Exploring them offers a peek into one of the oldest cave systems in the world. Both cave tours and self-guided tours are available. Be sure to also take a short hike around Blue Lake. Its placid clarity and bright blue colour make it extremely enchanting.
For more information, visit: http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Getting There:
The best way to explore the Blue Mountains is by car. The drive is 90 minutes from Sydney on the M4. A train is also available from Sydney’s Central Station that will take you to Katoomba in 2 hours.
Staying there:
The Blue Mountains Backpackers is very central and reasonably priced. There is also a Youth Hostel close by. Otherwise, there are several motels, hotels, cabins and cottages for hire in and around Katoomba.
