This is a day trip no one visiting Sydney should miss! The Blue Mountains! Even stay several days, if you have the chance. So wish I had the time 🙁 Getting sad just thinking about it. My access point was Katoomba. After getting some info at the tourist information office, at the train station, I decided to walk through town, and down to the escarpment. It’s one long walk, and not much to see on the way. If there’s ever a next time, I’ll do the trolley, which goes in a circular route with plenty of stops – even though I thought it was a bit on the expensive side. I took it back, from Echo Point lookout into town. I was not about to walk all the way back.
At the plateau edge, Scenic World has set up camp, with a few offers to make visiting easier:
- At the Top Station there is an eatery with a stunning view.
- If you want to go 545 meters down, into the Jamison Valley, you can take the cable car (Scenic Cableway) or the 52 degrees incline train (Scenic Railway)
- On the floor of the Jamison Valley, you can continue on boarded walkways (Scenic Walkway), through the rainforest. 2.4 km in total. You can also exit Scenic World area, and enter the Blue Mountains National Park.
- I, however, decided to stay up on the cliff, and went with the cable car that takes you across the valley canyon (Scenic Skyway). Glass floor, 270 meters above the valley floor, from Top Station to East Station.
From East Station, I followed a path/ledge all the way over to Echo Point Lookout, next to the Three Sisters. Then, I continued on the Three Sisters walk, which merges into the Giant Staircase walk. The first part of the latter is one steep staircase. Really cool! It takes you to the Honeymoon Bridge, which brings you over to the first sister. As you start on the Honeymoon Bridge, you will see stairs on the left, continuing down. This is the remaining 800+ steps to the bottom of the valley, which the makes out the rest of the Giant Staircase. I so wanted to do it, but sadly didn’t have time. Instead, I had to turn back towards the visitor centre, and start on my way home. Such a pity! I visited in the Aussie wintertime, and the mountains get cold, so bring warm clothes!
I took the train from Sydney. I didn’t want to go on a group tour. Nice ride! My most memorable moment, was when we stopped in Blaxland. My childhood pen-pal, who I met for the first time later on my trip, grew up in this village. So surreal to be there!
Katoomba
This is a sleepy, little village. I reckon, if you take away the hoards of tourist, coming to explore the mountain range, there’s not many left. People kept taking photos of the stately hotel, at the beginning of the main street. Could be it is a famous landmark.
Website: visitbluemountains.com.au ¤
What a beautiful place to spend a day or two. I’ll add it to my plans for visiting Sydney. Thanks for linking up this week #wkendtravelinspiration!
This is for sure a must do!
I will follow your advice and visit this place if I make it to Sydney. I have heard so much about it and I feel like I cannot miss. By the way, we are thinking of Australia for next year. We are not sure yet but hope the dream comes true. #wkendtravelinspiration
You can not miss it 🙂 Australia is great! You’re not going to regret going. Only minus is that it is so far away from Norway, so I can’t visit all the time 🙂
I love the blue mountains – we normally go once a year but the new puppy hindered this years trip….
Wow, once a year! You are lucky 🙂
I love the Blue Mountains, I’ve already visited it twice. First time by my self with train and second time it was with tour a few months ago. I must say that with tour it was better because we have seen some really hidden places out of beaten tracks 😉 #wkendtravelinspiration
Yes? Then if I ever make it there a second time, I will have to do a tour! I loved it! You’re lucky 🙂
We had offer for media trip from more compenies and at the end we choose small company Coast Warriors and we have done well 😉 You can check it here: http://etabroad.com/en/sydney-blue-mountains-with-coast-warriors/
Cool!
Goodness what a workout! I think my legs would be dead after 800 steps! We climb a lot of towers but the max was about 350! #wkendtravelinspiration
Yes, sounds like some calories would get burnt 🙂 I’ve climbed a mountain in China once, steps only. It took me 2-3 hours. I was beat! Cable car down 😀
A daytrip to the Blue Mountains on a visit to Sydney years ago remains one of my AUS highlights. Hope to return one day and spend more time there! #wkendtravelinspiration
Me too! I was so sad to only had set aside a day. Would have wanted to spend a weekend!
I was far too tired to attempt the really big staircase, but I did do the smaller one 😀
I met a couple who was gonna go all the way down, and I was so jealous 🙂 I did the top part too.
You might want to stay there – a lot to see in the area apart from the 3 sisters.
I so wish I had had time to stay longer, to explore more. Great area! Unfortunately I was on a day trip from Sydney, and didn’t have more time to spend.
Oh we hiked up to see the 3 sisters in winter….lol dun ask why…it was perhaps one of the things to do.
Misty and all, so no views like you had! But we did manage to catch a glimpse of the 3 before they disappeared into the mist again!
You did the Giant Stairway? So jealous. What a workout 🙂 Oh no! Come to think of it, I never considered that I wouldn’t get a great view. Ignorance is bliss 😉
Heheh…did not know it was called that, but it was sure some hike. Misty though the day was for us!