Blue Mountains and Sydney

We've been driving our motorhome around south-eastern Australia for over 5 weeks now, and just left the Hunter Valley. Our next stop was the Blue Mountains, just west of Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). The Blue Mountains area is famous for its steep mountain cliffs, woodlands, waterfalls, and quaint villages. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered to have ‘outstanding geographic, botanical and cultural significance’.

The Blue Mountains (UNESCO), from Jamison Lookout, Wentworth Falls, NSW

Our first stop in the Blue Mountains was Wentworth Falls, one of the main areas within the Blue Mountains. It is known for its great walks and lookout points, and not long after arriving, we found a lookout giving great views of the Jamison Valley. The colourful vista over the valley was beautiful.

Then we set out on the Wentworth Falls walking track, which would take us above and below the Wentworth waterfall. It was a very steep walk down to a cliff-edge, taking about 200 steps to get a good view of the Falls.

The Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

But the steep descent was so worth it. Emerging from the Jamison River, this pretty waterfall cascades over three tiers of rock to drop 187 metres into the valley below. 

It is often called one of the most stunning falls of the Blue Mountains, and we could see why. It must be absolutely amazing to see in winter when the river is running high. But even when we were there in early summer, it was impressive.

Victorian architecture in Blue Mountain villages, NSW

Returning to our motorhome, we drove through the villages of Wentworth Falls, Leura, and Blackheath to check out some of the historic architecture. These villages, were all founded in 1831 when the first settlers carved a path from Sydney across the Blue Mountains.

The next main town is Katoomba, also an historic town. Katoomba is where we based ourselves for our stay in the Blue Mountains.

The 3 Sisters rock formation, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), Katoomba, NSW

We arrived in Katoomba and sought out Echo Point Lookout, known for the great views of the amazing Three Sisters rock formation. Moulded thousands of years ago by erosion, the Three Sisters are three well-weathered and now iconic, sandstone peaks sitting in the valley. The local aboriginal people believe they represent a story of three sisters and their lost love, and war.

After a good look around at the scenery from Echo Point, we headed to our campground and settled in for the night. The next morning, we were up and off on a walk through the Katoomba section of the Blue Mountains.

Leigh on the Katoomba Falls track, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

We entered the bush just up from our campsite, and it took us on a great adventure. The path was variable, being wide and clear in some parts, and steep in others with huge stone steps that were tricky to navigate. But the scenery was fantastic.

The Blue Mountains emerged from the sea around 250 million years ago, and over time, have become an uneven stretch of sandstone and shale hosting canyons, peaks, rivers, waterfalls, and flora that has become what we were now seeing. Amazing!

Katoomba Falls, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

We stopped at various lookouts along our route and at the Juliet’s Balcony Lookout, spotted the impressive Katoomba Falls in its full drop. The waterfall is formed by the Kedumba River dropping 150 metres over a steep cliff into the Jamison Valley.

Later in our walk, we wandered onto the Under Falls Track which took us down to the lower part of the Falls. The cascade there fans out beautifully over the rocks.

The Scenic Cableway over the Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

Meandering onto another track, we saw the Scenic Cableway as it carried tourists from the top of a crag to the bottom of the forest. It towered over the treetops, seeming to float in mid-air. It was huge, and we learned later that it is Australia’s biggest cable car.

We decided to find the cable car station and take a ride, so wandered about the forest for another hour or so, seeking a way upwards. We eventually found the Furber Steps, that would take us to the Cableway – according to a nearby sign. So, we took the steps.

The Furber Steps, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

What the sign didn’t say was that the Furber Steps go up and down 996 very steep, narrow steps through some dicey areas of the rainforest. Unfortunately, we went more down than up, and after a few hundred steps, our calves were killing us! But the forest was lovely, and the views were fantastic.

Eventually, we came to a forest-covered boardwalk built into the side of the mountain, and saw that it would take us to the bottom station of the Cableway. So, we caught the next Cableway car and enjoyed great views as we rose over 500 metres to the top station.

The very steep Scenic Railway, Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

At the top station, we entered Katoomba’s Scenic World where we could get other modes of transport to view the scenery. So we boarded a railway that travels at a 52-degree angle up and down the mountainside. It is the steepest passenger train in the world. When it took off, we were unprepared for the steep downwards drop. It was scary but amazing.

Also at Scenic World is the Scenic Skyway. It took us across the Jamison Valley at a height of 270 metres, making it the highest cable car in Australia. It has a glass floor and the views from there were spectacular.

Blue haze of the Blue Mountains (UNESCO), NSW

A constant view throughout our walks and rides, was the blue haze hanging around the mountains; the same blue haze that gives the mountains its name. It comes from the vapour of eucalyptus oil released from the millions of gum trees in the heat.

Leaving Katoomba, we drove west to see more of the Blue Mountains. Then we drove on to see the Jenolan Caves, which are part of the Blue Mountains UNESCO site. However, the road to the caves was closed, so we turned around and headed east, aiming for Sydney.

Victorian Architecture, Sydney, NSW

We hit Sydney in the late afternoon and settled into a lovely campground. The next day we grabbed the train into Sydney city centre and walked around for hours, admiring the grand architecture. 

We particularly liked the Victorian style Sydney Hospital, the huge Queen Victoria Building, the ornate General Post Office, and the Art Gallery of NSW. We also enjoyed the Georgian style St James Church, and Supreme Court, among others.

Modern architecture, Sydney, NSW

Sydney is full of historic buildings, and they seem to sit comfortably alongside the many modern buildings such as the round Barangaroo House, the spire-like Crown, and waterfront developments.  

We also visited Hyde Park Barracks, and Old Government House, two UNESCO sites, and the pretty Botanical Gardens. Then, after a long, hot, interesting day in vibrant Sydney, we headed back to the campsite.

Marg - last day at the campground in Sydney, NSW

We spent a day at the camp, squeezing stuff into our suitcases, and preparing our rented motorhome for return. Then the next day, we made a rather fraught drive across Sydney city to return it to Let’s Go Motorhomes. Before we could take a breath, we were on a plane returning to NZ.

What a fabulous trip we’ve had – catching up with family and friends who we hadn’t seen for years, taking some wonderful seaside and bush walks, admiring some beautiful scenery, and enjoying the company of some lovely wines, and great people. There will be more travel after this, but who knows where the road will take us. 

This is part of a wider blog on our travels around south-eastern Australia, that began in Melbourne, Victoria