Blue Mountains
Population 70,800
The City of the Blue Mountains, comprising 26 towns and villages, stretches
from Penrith, 53km (33 miles) from Sydney, to Mount Victoria, 122km (76
miles) from Sydney. The drive up to the region's major centre, Katoomba,
only takes about an hour and a half, making this scenic area a comfortable
distance from Sydney city for day trips or a weekend retreat.
Climate
The area has distinct seasons and is cooler than Sydney all year round.
Occasionally snow falls in winter, usually July, but it does not last.
Characteristics
The Blue Mountains derive their name from the perpetual haze draped over
them. Miniscule drops of eucalyptus evaporate from the leaves of the
dense forest and are struck by the sunlight to produce this effect.
It was not until twenty-five years after the arrival of the First Fleet
that the Blue Mountains were crossed in search of grazing land. The intrepid
explorers who performed the feat in 1813 were Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson,
and three mountain towns bear their names.
In the 1920s and '30s, the Blue Mountains was the Holiday Capital of New
South Wales, then it declined in popularity, as people travelled further
afield. In recent years there has been a revival, and the Blue Mountains
is once again a popular tourist centre.
How to Get There By Rail
Electric trains depart from Central Station in Sydney every day with stops
at Lapstone, Glenbrook, Blaxland, Warrimoo, Valley Heights, Springwood,
Faulconbridge, Wood-ford, Hazelbrook, Lawson, Went-worth Falls, Leura,
Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Mt Victoria.
CityRail have special off-peak fares to Katoomba - any train after 9am
on weekdays, or any time at the weekend, with return before 4am the next
morning, for $11.80 adult. For further information (02) 4782 1902.
By Bus
AAT Kings, 9666 3899, Newmans, 1300 300 036, and Australian Pacific Tours,
9247 7222, have daily tours departing from Sydney Day Tour Terminal,
Circular Quay West at 9am.
Fantastic Aussie Tours, 9938 5714 (Sydney) or 4782 1366 (Katoomba) have
three hour tours which connect with trains from Sydney at Katoomba Railway
Station.
They also have full day tours of Jenolan Caves departing daily from Katoomba
Station in the morning. The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus also operates
daily and picks up and drops off in Katoomba and Leura at the main attractions
and restaurants. It meets most trains from Sydney, and connects with trains
returning to Sydney. On Wednesdays only, they offer trips to Australia's
Wonderland, as well as Darling Harbour and the Olympic Site combined.
By Road
From Sydney, via Parramatta Road, the F4 Freeway and the Great Western
Highway. From the west, the Great Western Highway.
Visitor Information
Echo Point Information Centre, 1300 653 408 and Glenbrook Visitor Information
Centre, Great Western Highway, Glenbrook, 1300 653 408, are hopen Mon-Fri
9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-4.30pm.
Contact them by email on info @bluemountainstourism.org.au
The official website of Blue Mountains Tourism, 1300 653 408, is www.bluemountainstourism.org.
au but another one to visit is www.bluemts.com.au
Accommodation
Here is a selection of accommodation, with prices for a double room per
night, which should be used as a guide only. GST is included. The telephone
area code is 02.
Katoomba
Alpine Motor Inn, cnr Great Western Highway & Orient Street, 4782 2011.
20 units, 4 suites, licensed restaurant, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna
- $200-255.
Mountain Heritage, cnr Lovel & Apex Streets, 4782 2155. 41 units, licensed
restaurant, playground, swimming pool - $180-420.
Katoomba Town Centre Motel, 218-220 Katoomba Street, 4782 1266. 18 units,
spa - $80-230.
The Cecil Traditional Blue Mountains Guest House, 108 Katoomba Street,
4782 1411. 23 rooms, unlicensed restaurant, barbecue, spa, playground tennis
- B&B $140-180.
Echo Point Motor Inn, Echo Point Road, 4782 2088. 37 units, licensed restaurant
- $70-130.
3 Sisters Motel, 348 Katoomba Street, 4782 2911. 20 units, unlicensed restaurant
- $65-120.
Medlow Bath
Hydro Majestic Hotel, Great Western Highway, 4788 1002. 63 rooms (private
facilities), modern Art Deco and classic Edwardian style rooms available,
very famous heritage hotel, licensed restaurant, swimming pool, tennis,
spa (selected rooms) - $220-1350.
Chalet Blue Mountains, 46 Portland Road, 4788 1122. 8 rooms, unlicensed
restaurant, tennis, playground - $130-150.
Mt Victoria
Mount Victoria Motor Inn, Station Street, 4787 1320. 12 units - $95-160.
The Hotel Imperial, cnr Great Western Highway & Station Street, 4787
1233. 23 rooms, licensed restaurant - $75-275 (a range of room standards
offered).
Jenolan Caves
Caves House, (02) 6359 3304. 50 rooms, licensed restaurant, playground,
tennis, pool, barbecue - B&B $80-200 a double; hotel section, 28 units -
$100-105 including breakfast.
Blackheath
Blackheath Motor Inn, 281 Great Western Highway, 4787 8788. 18 units, spa
- $90-135.
High Mountains Motor Inn, 193 Great Western Highway, 4787 8216. 21 units,
unlicensed restaurant, swimming pool - $70-120.
Caravan Parks
Katoomba Falls Caravan Park, Katoomba Falls Road, 4782 1835. (No pets),
68 sites, barbecue - powered sites $25-30 for two, cabins $60-84 for two.
Leura Village Caravan Park, cnr Great Western Highway & The Mall, 4784
1552 (no pets) - powered sites $13 for two, on-site vans $31-33 for two.
Blackheath Caravan Park, Prince Edward Street, 4787 8101. (No pets), 74
sites, - powered sites $20-22 for two, cabins $38-55 for two.
Eating Out
If you would like a superb meal, try:
The Swiss Cottage Restaurant, 132 Lurline Street, Katoomba, 4782 2281.
Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in the Blue Mountains, The Swiss
Cottage offers excellent meals in a warm atmosphere. The steaks and fish
are superb, the soup is thick and rich, and, for dessert, the melted-Lindt-chocolate-soaked
pudding is unbeatable (look for 'Death By Chocolate' on the menu). Your
lively host Monique will make you feel welcome and keep you chuckling as
she serves up each course.
Grand View, 174 Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls, 4757 1001.
Fairmont Resort, 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura, 4782 5222.
Hydro Majestic Hotel, Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath, 4788 1002.
The Imperial, Station Street, Mt Victoria, & 4787 1788.
Guest Houses which serve good meals include:
Felton Woods Manor, cnr Lurline Street & Merriwa Streets, Katoomba,
4782 2055.
Clarendon, 68 Lurline Street, Katoomba, 4782 1322.
Mountain Heritage, cnr Apex & Lovel Streets, Katoomba, 4782 2155.
Cecil, 108 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, 4782 1411.
St Mounts, 194 Great Western Highway, Blackheath, 4787 6111.
The Victoria & Albert, 19 Station Street, Mt Victoria, 4787 1241.
For a touch of nostalgia make sure you visit the National Trust classified
Paragon Cafe at 65 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, 4782 2928, which is fully
licensed and is the home of the famous Paragon Chocolates.
Local Transport Bus
Pearce Omnibus, 4751 1077, have services connecting Faulcon-bridge and
Penrith; Springwood and Winmalee; Blaxland and Mt Riverview.
Katoomba Woodford Bus Company, 4782 4213, operate services between Katoomba,
Leura and Wentworth Falls; Bullaburra and Lawson; Hazelbrook and Wood-ford;
Katoomba Falls, Scenic Railway and Skyway. (No service on public holidays)
Katoomba Leura Bus Service, 4782 3333 links Leura, Katoomba, Echo Point,
North Katoomba, Blackheath, Medlow Bath and Mt Victoria. (No service Saturday
afternoon, Sunday or public holidays)
Car Hire
Thrifty, 80 Megalong Street, Leura, 4784 2888.
Points of Interest Penrith
Situated on the Nepean River, less than an hour's drive from Sydney, Penrith
is one of the most rapidly growing regions in Australia. The biggest tourist
attraction is Panthers, set in 81ha (200 acres), where bona fide visitors
are most welcome. The club has two cable water ski lakes, a miniature car
racing track, swimming pool with water slides, tennis complex and a lake
with canoes, windsurfers and paddle boats. It also has a motel, six restaurants,
a huge variety of poker machines, cocktail bars and a Cabaret Room. It
is located in Mulgoa Road, 4720 5555.
Other major attractions Penrith offers are the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler
(4733 1274), the Museum of Fire (4731 3000), Warragamba Dam and Wonderland
Sydney (9830 9100). For more information on these and other places contact
the Tourist Information Centre in the carpark at Panthers, Mulgoa Road,
4732 7671. If you are in the mood for a show, there are two places you
may wish to contact to find out what is on - the Q Theatre, 4721 5735 and
the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 4721 8832.
Thomas the Tank Engine Train Rides at The Train Shed.
Behind Vicary's Winery, 15 minutes south of Penrith on The Northern Road.
Ride on Thomas, Toby, James and Percy Trains,
Open Sundays & Public Holidays 10am - 4pm.
Free Admission, Rides $2.50 for Adults or Children,
Kiosk, Picnic Areas, Model Train Displays.
Ph 4739 0199
Lower Blue Mountains Lapstone-Blaxland
Lapstone Zig-Zag Walking Track begins behind the RAAF base at Glenbrook,
and follows the original railway cuttings with views of the arches of Knapsack
Viaduct.
Blue Mountains National Park, Glenbrook Area, has bushwalking, picnicking
and camping. Information and advice plus publications are available from
the Visitors Information Centre, Great Western Highway, Glenbrook, 1300
653 408.
Lennox Bridge, Mitchell's Pass Road, Glenbrook, was built in 1833 and is
the oldest bridge on Australia's mainland. The bridge is well sign-posted
from the Great Western Highway.
Wascoe Siding, 15 Grahame Street, Blaxland, 4739 9701, has a miniature
railway and picnic area, and is open on the first Sunday of each month,
except January.
Springwood
Two extremely good bushwalks originate in Springwood: the first, an easy
90 minute walk to Birdwood Gully, starts from Bednall Road; the second,
to Sassafras Gully, is rated medium, and access is either from Holmdale
Street, Sassafras Gully Road or Bee Farm Road.
The Local History Centre and a Community Art Gallery are in Braemar, an
early Federation home which is classified by the National Trust, as are
the Frazer Memorial Presbyterian Church and Spring-wood Railway Station.
In the cemetery is the grave of Sir Henry Parkes, the Father of Federation.
Faulconbridge
Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum, Chapman Parade, 4751 1067, is the home
of this famous Australian artist and writer. There are displays of his
paintings, etchings, ship models and family mementos, and a special Magic
Pudding room. The house is set in delightful gardens with dozens of statues,
some of which are also 'delightful'. There is a shop and a good coffee
shop. hOpen Fri-Sun and public holidays 10am-4pm.
Central Blue Mountains
Bull's Camp, Great Western Highway, Linden, was used as a camp for convicts
working on the road across the Blue Mountains. It is now a good picnic
spot.
Selwood Science & Puzzles, 41 Railway Parade, Hazelbrook, 4758 6235,
is a mid-Victorian house which has been classified by the National Trust.
It is hopen Thurs-Mon 9am-5pm, and has a fine collection of art and science
features.
There are two interesting bush-walks emanating from Lawson: one begins
at South Lawson Park, Honour Avenue, and goes to Adelina, Junction, Federal
and Cataract Falls - 90 minutes, easy; the other starts in North Lawson
Park, Bernards Drive, and walks along Dantes Glen and Lucy's Glen to Frederica
Falls - 180 minutes, easy.
Wentworth Falls
Yester Grange, Yester Road, 4757 1110, is a 19th century house with a collection
of 19th century water colours, Victoriana and ceramics. The house is set
in bush and parkland and Devonshire teas and light lunches are available.
Open Wed-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun and public holidays 10am-5pm.
Wentworth Falls Lake, Sinclair Crescent, is a pleasant picnic spot with
a playground and tame ducks. Row boats are available for hire.
There are several walks with good views in this area. From Falls Road to
Fletcher's Lookout, Undercliff Walk, to Den Fenella - easy walk with views
and wildflowers, 90 minutes. To Princes Rock with views of Wentworth Falls
and Jamison Valley, 20 minutes. To the top of the Falls, 30 minutes. To
Undercliff Walk, Den Fenella, Overcliff Walk to Valley of the Waters with
panoramic views, 150 minutes.
Upper Blue Mountains Leura
Sublime Point, at the end of Sublime Point Road, has great views of the
Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley.
The Everglades Gardens, 37 Everglades Avenue, 4784 1938, is classified
by the National Trust as one of the Great Gardens of Australia. There are
unique sandstone terraces, magnificent mature trees and native flora, and
a grotto pool, hopen daily 10am-5pm during spring and summer, and closing
an hour earlier during the colder seasons. Admission is $5 adults and $1
children.
Leuralla, 36 Olympian Parade, 4784 1169, is an historic art deco mansion
with a collection of 19th century Australian art and a Memorial Museum
to Dr H.V. Evatt, first President of the United Nations Organisation. There
is also a toy and railway museum.
Gordons Falls Reserve is a pleasant picnic area with playground and toilets,
and from it there is a walk to the Pool of Siloam and Lyrebird Dell.
Leura Cascades on Cliff Drive is another picnic area, and there are a number
of bushwalks that start from this point, with the Round Walk taking about
40 minutes.
Katoomba
The best way to see the attractions of Katoomba is to follow Cliff Drive.
From the Railway Station, take Lurline and Merriwa Streets to the Drive
around the Jamison and Megalong Valleys. Along the drive there are many
lookouts, all signposted, the most famous of which is undoubtedly Echo
Point, from where there are the best views of The Three Sisters, Mennhi,
Wimlah and Gunnedoo. These rock formations are very important in Aboriginal
legend, and are floodlit at night. From the point you can also see the
Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary, and it is possible to pick out many animal
shapes on the mountains on the other side of the valley.
From Echo Point the Giant Stairway of almost 1000 steps leads to the floor
of the Jamison Valley and the Federal Pass, and the Prince Henry Cliff
Walk leads left towards Leura or right towards the Scenic Railway Complex.
The Point has picnic facilities, a restaurant and a takeaway food outlet.
Katoomba Falls Reserve is another picnic spot because the cascades, and
several walking tracks begin behind the kiosk.
The Scenic Railway and Skyway on Cliff Drive, 4782 2699, offer a ride down
to the Jamison Valley, which is not for the faint-hearted, or a ride over
the valley in the Skyway. The complex also has the cafeteria-style restaurant,
a fun parlour and a souvenir shop, and is hopen daily 9am-5pm. Fares are
$5 for adults and $2 for children. Also on Cliff Drive is Cahill's Lookout,
another picnic spot, this time with views of escarpment and valley, and
of Boar's Head Rock. The Drive ends at the Great Western Highway, at Katoomba
Holiday Caravan Park.
Explorers' Tree, on the highway 2km west of Katoomba, commemorates the
crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Went-worth and Lawson. From
behind the tree a Katoomba to Jenolan Caves walk begins, which takes 2-3
days. More information is available from the Tourist Information Centres.
Blackheath
Evans Lookout, Evans Lookout Road, offers superb views of the Grose Valley.
Govett's Leap, Govett's Leap Road, also has views of Grose Valley and of
Bridal Veil Falls, the longest single drop fall in the Blue Mountains.
National Parks & Wildlife Service Heritage Centre, Govett's Leap Road,
4787 8877, has an exhibition on natural features of the Blue Mountains,
and nearby Fairfax Heritage Track is suitable for disabled people.
Blue Mounts Rhododendron Garden, Bacchante Street, is set in native bushland.
It is open 9am-5pm and admission is by a donation. There are easy walking
tracks and picnic facilities.
From Anvil Rock and Wind-eroded Cave, Hat Hill Road, Black-heath, you can
get good views of the Grose Valley.
Mount Victoria
A visit to the village of Mt Victoria is like taking a step back in time,
with buildings of sandstone and iron lace, and others of colonial weatherboard
housing antiques, crafts and tearooms. Attractions include the Post Office,
Toll House and Railway Station, the Scenic Drive and Mount York where explorers
Blaxland, Lawson and Went-worth realised they'd crossed 'The Impenetrable
Barrier'. Victoria Falls, Mount Piddington and Pulpit Rock Reserve are
also worth a visit.
The Mounts Area
Rich volcanic soils and high rainfall produce the lush vegetation for which
the Mounts are renowned. A beautiful area with famous gardens, lookouts
and walks. Cathedral of Ferns, Mount Wilson, is a beautiful rainforest
with nearby picnic area.
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, Bells Line Road, 4567 2154, was a Bicentennial
project of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. It features cool-climate
planting with sections representing specific geographic areas of the world.
There are panoramic views and picnic areas, and the gardens are hopen 10am-4pm
March to September, and until 5pm during the other months.
Festivals
Lawson Festival - March;
Wentworth Falls Autumn Festival - April;
Yulefest - June/July;
Springtime in the Blue Mountains - September thru November;
Leura Gardens Festival - October;
Leura Village Fair - October;
Blackheath Rhododendron Festival - November;
Glenbrook Festival - November.
For dates and attractions for these festivals it is best to contact the
Glenbrook Visitors Centre.
Facilities
Lawn bowls, bush walking, golf, horse riding, scenic drives, swimming pool,
tennis, cinemas, squash, art galleries and craft shops.
Outlying Attractions Hartley Historic Site Hartley, 6355 2117 includes the old Courthouse, churches and inns.
The site consists of a relatively small cluster of mid-nineteenth century
buildings preserved by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Hartley is about 35km (22 miles) west of Katoomba.
Zig-Zag Railway
Situated about 7km east of Lithgow, the Railway is an engineering feat.
It is a system of tunnels, cuttings and stone viaducts built 1866-69
to overcome the steep descent from the Blue Mountains to the Western
Plains beyond. There are picnic areas, and rides are available on an
old world steam train. Trains run hdaily and the cost of a return journey
is $13 adults, $6.50 children.
Jenolan Caves
Probably the best-known limestone caves in NSW, the Jenolan Caves were
discovered in the 1830s when the victim of a bushranger tracked his attacker
to this hideout. The entrance to the caves is in a narrow gorge accessed
through the Grand Arch, about 24m (79 ft) high. The view from Carlotta
Arch, which overlooks the Blue Lake, is superb. Nine of the twenty-two
caves are open for inspection, and guided tours are available. Phone
the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust on, 6359 3311 for more information.
Caves House, 6359 3322, right at the caves complex, is a charming hotel,
with a restaurant, bar and accommodation. There are several bush walks
in the area, and daily tours are run from Sydney and Katoomba.
