Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains has marvelous scenery and includes lookout-points with spectacular views. There are countless gorges, sandstone cliffs and gum trees and the region is excellent for bush walking. The two most popular areas for walks are the Jamison Valley and the Grose Valley. The walk to the Blue Gum Forest from Blackheath is a four-hour round trip, which is a must for all bush enthusiasts. There's also a three-day walk along the Six Foot Track from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. Cycling is allowed on most national park trails in the Blue Mountains. The only hassle is carrying your bike up and down the side of the valley, but it is good mountain-biking territory.

Most of the Blue Mountains is included in the Blue Mountains National Park, which is connected to the Wollemi and Kanangra Boyd national parks and forms a vast protected area measuring over 200 km from north to south and 100 km from east to west. Katoomba is a major tourist center in the Blue Mountains

Because of its elevation, the Blue Mountains have a cool, refreshing climate that has always attracted many visitors seeking relief from the heat of the plains. There are many Victorian guesthouses and gardens, which give the area a hill-station aura.

The Blue Mountains got their name from the blue haze that is caused by the fine mist of evaporating oil given off by eucalyptus trees.

Some of the most interesting places in the Blue Mountains include the Three Sisters rock formation, Wentworth Falls, the Megalong Valley, the Blue Gum Forest and the quaint town of Leura.

Plenty accommodation is available in the region. The Blue Mountains are some 100 km northwest of Sydney and 250 km northeast of Canberra.