Blue Mountains Information

Blue Mountains Places of Interest

Katoomba

Perched on the edge of a 170 metre cliff, Katoomba is home to Echo Point and popular attractions, the Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway. Originally a mining town, the Katoomba Coal Mine opened here in 1879 using a cable car (now the famous scenic railway) the coal was taken from the side of the mountain near Orphan Rock. A beautiful spot for buswalking with a seemingling limitless amount of trails, the area offers spectacular views of the Jamison Valley and Mt Solitary. The Katoomba and Leura regions have become tourist capitals for the Blue Mountains, with accommodation, galleries, restaurants, cafe's, specialty shops and health spas. The town also has a movie cinema, The Edge Cinema was built in 1996 boasting a six storey high screen and features "The Edge", a 40 min documentary on the Blue Mountains and also screens the latest feature films on one of the biggest screens in the southern hemisphere.

Leura

Katoomba's neighbouring suburb Leura is also quite popular with tourists and has been given the name "the garden village" with many beautiful gardens throughout the town. The Leura Mall has many fine stores ranging from gift shops, vintage clothing and flower shops to coffee shops and restaurants, even an old-fashioned lollie shop. There are also some great antique stores in Leura. Nature lovers have many walks to choose from, head down Cliff Drive to the famous Henry Cliff Walk and the Leura Cascades, a great spot for a BBQ with several waterfalls within a short walking distance.

Wentworth Falls

Just a short drive from Katoomba is Wentworth Falls, one of the most beautiful towns in the Blue Mountains region offering possibly the most spectacular views and bushwalks. It is well worth taking a waik into the Blue Mountains National park which contains many spectacular natuaral attractions including Breakfast Point Lookout, Princess Rock Lookout, Rocket Point Lookout, the Wentworth Falls and Queens Cascade. The Ingar picnic ground is one of the most remote and beautiful picnic grounds in The Blue Mountains and well worth the drive. It's located on Queen Elizabeth Drive, after the sealed road take the left hand fork in the road and drive for 10 km to reach this hidden gem.

Blackheath

The town of Blackheath is full of colonial history and natural beauty. There are many bushwalks and lookouts with breathtaking views to experience. Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout provide views of the Grose Valley, which is the starting point for the Grand Canyon Walk. Blackheath is most famous for it's Rhododendron Festival held in November each year, previous years have included some unusual events such as the chainsaw competition but the main events are the beautiful gardens, art shows and grand parade. The town also has a public swimming pool, tennis courts, sports ground and the Gallery Blackheath exhibits drawings and fine art by creative Blue Mountains artists.

Medlow Bath

Home to the famous Hydro Majestic Plant, Australia's first health retreat opened as a hydropathic spa in 1904 and is arguably the most well known building in the Blue mountains. It was a Mecca for Blue Mountains tourists for many years and is now currently undergoing massive renovations set to be completed in late 2012. The Katoomba Airfeild is located in Medlow Bath where Blue Mountains Airlines provide scenic flights of this spectacular region.

Blue Mountains Tourist Attractions

The Three Sisters

This natuaral wonderment is located at Echo Point and attracts busloads of tourists everyday to hear the legend and snap pictures of the breathtaking view. Towering above the Jamison valley, the rocks are called Meehni (922 metres high), Wimlah (918 metres high) and Gunnedoo (906 metres high). The sandstone is easily weathered and eroded, this causes the cliffs around the valley to break up in a similar fashion to the three stuctures. The Aboriginal legend is that the sisters fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe. While the girls insisted their love, tribal law forbade marriage and in a battle between the sisters and the elders, they were turned to stone by a leader. Howerver, during the fight the leader was killed and the girls have been unable to return from stone ever since.

The Jenolan Caves

These are Australia's most famous and intricate cave systems, located one hour from Katoomba. The caves wow tourists with a spectacular 24 metre high arch opening up to 9 various cave rooms. First discovered in 1838, the Jenolan Caves are one of the oldest in the world, formed from limestone and full of amazingly intricate formations. Visitors can see stalactites, stalagmites, cave pools and rivers forming an enormous underground maze through the hillside and are open for tours and adventure groups. There are also an additional 300 caves, which are not currently open to the public and remain protected. Public transport to the Jenolan Caves is difficult to find, however there is a train service running from Sydney to Katoomba. From there visitors can catch a coach to Jenolan. Alternatively you can hire a car or campervan for the freedom of travelling to your own itinery.

Scenic Skyway

Operation of the Scenic Skyway began in 2004 as a cable car carrying 84 people. The new cable car now travels along 720 metres of cable at a hight of 270 metres and provides breathtaking views above ancient ravines and gushing waterfalls. This spectacular ride takes in iconic views of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Wilderness including the Three Sisters, Mount Solitary, the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls as the Electro Sceniglass floor opens beneath your feet.

The Giant Stairway

Decending approximately 300 metres, it's not hard to understaand how the Giant Stairway got its name. Proving a literally breathtaking entrance to the Jamison Valley, the staircase is located adjacent to the Three Sisters on Prince Henry Cliff Walk. While some of the steps have had to be cut out of the cliff and metal stairs have been intsalled in other parts, an effort has been made to keep the path natural and take advantage of erosion and projections. It's recommended that you start from the Three Sisters side of the valley and walk down the staircase, if you start from the Scenic Railway you will face a long steep climb up the Giant Stairscase.

Katoomba's Heritage and Art Walk

One of the best ways to enjoy the history, art and culture of the region is to stroll along the Katoomba Heritage Art Walk. This self-guided tour allows you to leisurely explore the natural surroundings, murals and historic buildings while working up an appetite to enjoy the relaxed cafe culture of Katoomba.

Festivals in the Blue Mountains

The Oberton Festival

No matter what time of year you visit The Blue Mountains, there is usually a festival of some description for tourists to enjoy. The Oberon Festival in the summer celebrates the begining of warmer months and with fruits of the season, trout in the streams, forests full of mushrooms and adventure in the air what more reason would you need to celebrate?

The Winter Magic Festival

The Winter Magic Festival is the regions largest annual event and is held in June. Katoomba lights up with festivities including the Grand Parade, the Great Busk Off (street performers competition), Dance demonstrations, musicians, magicians, gymnasts, clowns and food & craft stalls creating a fabulous atmosphere.

Blue Mountains Food and Wine Festival

Another great festival to look out for is the Blue Mountains Food and Wine Festival which showcases the regions best produce, wine and entertainment. Make sure you check in at the Blue Mountains Visitor Centre when you first arrive for your stay to see what's on and to be sure you don't miss out on any of the entertainment.

Blue Mountains weather

While coastal Sydney often hits the high thirties in summer, the weather conditions in the Blue Mountains offers a cool releif, with temperatures generally in the low twenties for most of the year. During the winter months, the temperature can drop below freezing and the chance of snowfall attracts many tourists and locals to the area. More temperate than Sydney, the winter months of June, July and August average around 5 degrees celcius, while summer averages approximately 18 degrees in December, January and Febuary.

One of the best things about the Blue Mountains climate is that it experiences four very distinct seasons, something that much of tropical Australia cannot offer during its year-long summer. In particular, the Blue Mountains Parks and Gardens are beautiful in Spring, with pleasant temperatures and lush native flaura and fauna in blossom.