BLUE MOUNTAINS

BLUE MOUNTAINS

See the Three Sisters rock formation from Echo Point Lookout at Katoomba; It's also the gateway to many walking trails. Board the world's steepest passenger railway and descend into an ancient rainforest with Scenic World Blue Mountains. Or get a panoramic view of the mountains from a glass-floored cable car suspended above a steep gorge.

Tours run daily from Sydney and Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. Scientists estimate limestone formations there date back at least 340 million years. Watch traditional dance performances at Waradah Aboriginal Center in Katoomba. The Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout tour starts at Faulconbridge train station.

The Blue Mountains get their name from the natural blue haze created by vast eucalypt forests in this World Heritage area. Tiny droplets of oil released from the trees mix with water vapor and sunlight to produce the distinct color.

Marvel at this wilderness from cliff top lookouts. Explore waterfalls, valleys and rugged sandstone tablelands, and learn about the region's ancient Aboriginal heritage. Deep inside the Jenolan Caves, you'll discover limestone crystals and underground rivers.

There are numerous exhilarating activities on offer in the mountains, from rock climbing and abseiling with operators such as the Blue Mountains Adventure Company to guided walks with Tread Lightly Eco Tours and Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout. You can even participate in a challenging three-day hike with Life's an Adventure.

It's just two hours by train from Sydney's Central Station to Katoomba, where you'll find buses to some of the leading attractions, such as Scenic World's cable car. Alternatively, bus companies such as AAT Kings and Gray Line provide tours from hotels in the city center.

A range of accommodation options is available if you plan to spend more than a day exploring the Blue Mountains. Shopping for arts and crafts at galleries in pretty mountain villages such as Leura is a popular pastime. There are excellent restaurants in the mountains, such as Darley's Restaurant at Lilianfels and Tomah Gardens Restaurant in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.