The Blue Mountains

Overview

New South Wales is not only popular for its business establishments and cultural houses, it is also known for its mountain ranges with panoramic views like no other. Travelers agree that some of the best among these Australia's land forms are the Blue Mountains. These series of mountains are visited by over three million tourists and local visitors every year.

Located roughly 100 kilometres on the western side of Sydney, Blue Mountains have peaks of 1,190 metres (in Australian Height Datum or AHD). They are portions of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage and are considered a national park. It is protected and managed by local authorities of the City of Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, and Lithgow and Oberon.

Not like ordinary mountain ranges, Blue Mountains consist of a succession of steep cliffs encompassing an extensive plateau with high and rough gorges. Commonly, these gorges have an approximate depth of 760 meters. The bedrocks usually made of sandstone are shaped by nature in their breathtaking proportions. Emphasizing the unique highland feature is the sight of the dense forests with a blue hue. Because of these blue reflections, looking at the mountains from afar commonly stuns tourists. The highlands become blueish in color because of the volatile eucalyptus oil emitted from the forest. Since there are numerous of these forest trees, the blue color becomes more distinctive.

History of Exploration

Although the mountains' northern part was initially named Carmarthen Hills and the southern portion Lansdowne Hills by Arthur Philip in 1788, people still prefer to use the term Blue Mountains in reference to the north and south ranges. For years, these land formations were already known to the native and local settlers, they, however, still deemed the highlands impossible to penetrate. Only until explorers and convicts tried to pass and make their own tracks was the possibility of exploring the mountains entertained. The most popular to these expeditions was the one led by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth.

When the three explorers tried to explore the mountains, they used a method different from those of the other expedition groups. To get into the plateau, they used the ridges instead of tracing the valleys. Later on, William Cox, upon the order of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, instructed the construction of the road on the highlands. The structure was built and completed by eight guards and 30 convicts in 1815.

Sites

They have tracks measuring more than 140 kilometers for walking. These tracks are designed in various settings, making the mountain activities challenging and the place a hiking paradise. Aside from physical and sports activities, travelers will surely be amazed with the diversity of plants and animals present in the ranges. There are even ancient and rare species of flora found in different locations including gorges.

Among the highland's points, the best to reach is the Echo Point. From this area, people can have a spectacular view of a group of rock formations called the Three Sisters. Looking at them would be like seeing three perfect subjects highlighted by an overwhelming background made up of Mount Solitary and the Jamison Valley.

Canyoning is another exciting activity travelers can do in the Blue Mountains, and it is best done via the Grand Canyon Track. This track is widely known for being able to canyon without getting one's feet wet.

In 1930's, the Blue Gum Forest, a portion of the Blue Mountains, was once threatened to be destroyed, but was later on saved. Now the place has become one of the most attractive parts of the ranges for millions of tourists.

Visiting the mountain paradise is also a perfect opportunity to ride the Katoomba Scenic Skyway. With a descending cable railway measuring 415 meters, overlooking cliffs through a tunnel of 52 degrees gradient, Katoomba is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's steepest railway.

The next place to explore would be the Jenolan Caves, a succession of caves with great limestone formations. Then, here comes the Zig Zag Railway, an old-aged railway run by engines powered by steam. Aside from these places and railways, the park's management also gives their visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of visual arts such as paintings and ship replicas. These are all showcased in the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum.

Getting There

Getting into the Blue Mountains is not a problem. Tourists can either use their own vehicles or simply ride a train from the inner city. There are direct trips from Sydney Central going to the famous Blue Mountains. But if they prefer to drive their own car, they will have to use the Sydney's M4 route to access the Great Western Highway located on Lapstone Hill. Travel usually takes almost two hours in the absence of heavy traffic.