If it's been a while since you've been to the Blue Mountains - or if you've never been - you really must make it a priority visit. Not in a very long time have I walked towards a view and had my breath stolen from me; these photos in no way showcase the depth, the vastness, the surreal blue - of this stunning part of the world.
Visiting the Three Sisters at Katoomba was something Riley really had his heart set on after completing a school project on this landmass last year. These stunning rock formations form part of a truly magnificent area, right on the edge of this beautiful town.
You can walk to Katoomba Falls from this large viewing platform, or you can head along the Giant Stairway to get closer to the Three Sisters and Orphan Rock. We chose the latter and this is what we saw . . .
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| Orphan Rock |
On the other side of this canyon, Scenic World is well worth a visit. During January they have a family ticket option for just $70, which includes all rides (as many times as you want) and walks. It's truly brilliant.
Here are some vistas from the Scenic Skyway which hovers over the valley and features a section of glass floor (if you're brave enough). You can glimpse Katoomba Falls through this floor (the kids were brave enough; I wasn't).
After the Skyway, we went on the Scenic Railway which is like something out of an India Jones film. It's actually the steepest railway in the world, and plummets through a tunnel and down a hillside to the wails of its occupants. The railway was once used to carry coal.
There are many wonderful risen walking tracks to peruse - some as short as 10 minutes, some as long as 50 minutes. Along the way you can explore mine openings, miner's huts, mining equipment used hundreds of years ago and maybe even the odd horse. There is also the breathtaking vista of some pretty magnificent forest.
The cable car, a shorter and less spectacular ride than the Skyway, is nonetheless lots of fun.
Outside Scenic World are some bronze statues that tell the Indigenous tale of The Three Sisters. Just beautiful.
In the parklands outside Scenic World are more statues and some famous hotel landmarks such as Lilianfels - my dream stay.
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| Lilianfels |
There are also several lookout points (west of Scenic World) where you can drink in the vistas, where native plants flourish, and where the air is thick with the smell of blossoms and honey bees.
Back at our beautiful little Waratah Cottage, we had an antipasto dinner . . .
Then hotfooted it to the local park for some shenanigans before the sun went down . . .
Katoomba Part I
7 comments:
OMG your in my neck of the woods how long are you here for would luv to have a catch up if you are still around. The pictures look amazing....
We were only there briefly, Sarah! Well back home now. Would love to catch you sometime. xx
Gorgeous photos, Tania. I haven't been to the Blue Mountains since I was a child, but I remember that train ride. Does it still come up the hill backwards? That was terrifying.
Hi Michelle! Yes, the train scoots back up the hillside backwards. The kids loved it!
Bliss
Such a gorgeous place to visit, alas it's one place I haven't been. Shirl
Oh what fun, of course Ella found a horse to ride!! My memories of that scenic railway are all of my mother screaming in fear. We always took visiting overseas guests to the Blue Mountains, it's changed a lot, love Posie
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