Things to Do in Blue Mountains
One of New South Wales’s best natural attractions: The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains! Covered in spectacular mountains, deep canyons, and stunning rock formations. Roughly an hour away from Sydney city, it is a perfect day trip adventure away from the hustle and bustle to marvel at the natural wonders of the world.
The entire region of the Blue Mountains took 250 million years to fully form, after slowly moulding by shifting earth plates, water, wind, and even volcanic lava. The end product was a mountaintop land completely covered in ancient bushland, with deep canyons, unique rock cliffs, and cascading waterfalls speckled about.
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The Walking Tracks
As the blue mountains span thousands of hectares of land, there is an abundant number of trails within the pristine scenery. Walking tracks weave about a number of enchanting spots, ranging in effort from easy level strolls, to heart pumping hikes. If you aren’t much of a walker, you can even pedal your way down the paths and clear your head amidst this peaceful atmosphere.
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The Rock Formations
Blue Mountains is scattered with renowned attractions among the terrane, but the rock formation of the Three Sisters is the most recognisable and visited sights in the entire region. It is a sacred spot for the local aboriginal community, with a tragic Dreamtime story telling the tale of how these rock sisters formed. Visitors can see this marvellous attraction from a number of locations, but the best is at Echo Point. A lookout that offers views of both the incredible Jamison Valley and the unique rock structure.
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Scenic World
This tourist spot is by far the best place to see the incredible Blue Mountains at its best. Scenic World is a fantastic experience that offers views at every angle, with the iconic rides of the Scenic Railway, Cableway, Walkway and Skyway. Immerse yourself in the terrane as you travel along the scenic walkway or capture the breathtaking views while you are raised above the canopy in the cableway. Speed headfirst on the fastest passenger railway in the world or taking in the bird’s-eye views while standing 270 metres above the ground floor on the skyway ride.
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The Jenolan Caves
Hidden within the lush greenery of the mountains is a limestone cave system. Regarded as one of the world’s finest and oldest cave systems, the Jenolan Caves are an underground labyrinth said to be about 340 million years old. The Karst landform is said to been evolved by the eroding of rock dissolving in water for millions of years. The honeycomb system of caves is busting with incredible features, from limestone chasms, underground rivers, and a unique form of wildlife. You can either take a guided stroll through the lit-up caves, or even do some cave climbing in the lesser known sections!
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The Rock Art
The Blue Mountains has a strong connection with the traditional owners of the land, the Aboriginal People. For thousands of years the Indigenous community lived within the mountains, and a number of remnants still have been left within the earth, most partially their artwork. The Aboriginal Rock Art can be seen etched on many of the rock caves and hidden crevasses, showcasing the lives of these past people. Telling pieces of the story, with figures of animals, plants, and even abstract figures that were all important characters and beliefs of the people. The entire region of the Blue Mountains is teeming with rock art pieces, such as the Red Hands Cave. home to a wide range of artworks, as well as the well-preserved rock carving now known as ‘the flight of the Great Grey Kangaroo.’ which can be found near Hawkesbury Lookout.