The back story
The Blue Mountains: sandstone, eucalypts and the Three Sisters
A UNESCO World Heritage wilderness of sandstone cliffs and eucalypt forest, by train from Central.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © -jkb- · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe Greater Blue Mountains Area, on UNESCO’s list, is 1.03 million hectares of sandstone plateaux, escarpments and gorges dominated by eucalypt forest, with ninety-one eucalypt taxa and relict species such as the Wollemi pine (UNESCO). Intercity trains run from Central to Katoomba on Opal.
Katoomba
At Echo Point in Katoomba the Three Sisters stand above the Jamison Valley (NPWS). Scenic World’s Scenic Railway runs at a 52° incline, in its words the steepest passenger railway in the world, with the Cableway and Skyway beside it.
Blackheath
Govetts Leap looks over the Grose Valley wilderness; the Grand Canyon track begins nearby.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsWentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls has lookouts, waterfalls and the start of the 19 km Grand Cliff Top Walk to Katoomba (NPWS).
Go by train, and walk the cliff tops between Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.
Our advice: take the earliest train you can; the valleys fill with haze as the day warms.
Why it's on our list
- Katoomba
- Blackheath
- Wentworth Falls
Location
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