When we have a free day, kids love to go to Blue Mountains all the time. I believe that we are so lucky to live in Sydney. Driving from Sydney to Blue Mountains a place so beautiful to look around and we all enjoy that every time though visit Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves many times. We drove up from Sydney for the day with my lovely family.The most popular way to get up the mountains is to drive.It takes about 90 minutes from Sydney to get to the main tourist destination of Katoomba.
If you use public transport,getting to the Blue Mountains is easy enough, a relaxing train trip from Sydney takes about an hour from Sydney Central Station.
Blue Mountains has one of the most breathtaking picturesque scenes you’ll ever see around Sydney.You can't go to Katoomba without going to the 3 sisters.The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains' most spectacular landmark. This unusual unique rock formation attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year and this is a must see when in Blue Mountains.The Sisters were formed by land erosion. The erosion occurs because of a combination of soft sandstone and weather patterns.
Tale of Three Sisters
Three Sisters, aboriginal place, is a 3-peak mountain having relevance to legendary story.Historically, the Three Sisters are believed to have been named after three sisters who lived in the region.
According to an old aboriginal legend, there used to be three beautiful sisters who lived in the Jamison valley.They were madly in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use
force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witch-doctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the
three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm.Unfortunately, the witch doctor was killed before he could reverse the
spell, leaving the three sisters forever encased in stone. As only he could reverse the spell to
return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their
magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations
to come.Standing mournfully high above the Jamison Valley, never to be human again.
The names of the sisters are Meehni (922 m), Wimlah (918 m), and Gunnedoo (906 m).
Echo point is one of the best spots to see the three sisters, showcasing the fantastic wildlife that surrounds it.If you are physically able to, take the walk down to the 3 sisters although the steps are steep but worth it.It was fun walking down millions of stairs to the honeymoon
bridge which you can see from Echo Point Lookout and connects the first
of the 3 sisters to the path.Visit
here at sunset or sunrise for a truly unforgettable journey, as the
rocks light up in an array of colors due to the orange and reddish
glow of the sun.
We went to watch the sunset and the 3 Sisters was gorgeous with the sunlight on the rocks.Not much words to describe that amazing natural structure and its' breathtaking beauty.
If you're visiting the Blue Mountains, make sure you visit Scenic World in Katoomba. It is near the three sisters. Scenic World offers four attractions, the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Sky way, the Scenic Cable way and Scenic Walkway a 2.4 km elevated boardwalk through ancient rain forest.We purchased scenic passes that allows travel unlimited on all the rides.
World Steepest Railway
Scenic World was originally home to a coal mine that dated back to 1878.The Scenic Railway was built to haul coal 310m up from a mine in the Jamison Valley and it inclines at a breath-taking 52-degree angle, which makes it the world’s steepest passenger railway.The scenic railway is so steep, but really fun.
Established in 1945, Scenic World began with Harry Hammon’s entrepreneurial vision to transform a former coal mine into an iconic tourist attraction. With the closure of Katoomba Colliery in 1945, Harry recognized an opportunity to innovate, converting old coal skips and existing rail track into a passenger train, creating what is still today the world’s steepest passenger train.
The Sky way offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the Blue Mountains and it is the only horizontal-passenger-carrying cable car in Australia.It offers 360 degree views of the surrounding scenery, including snapshots of the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley, and Katoomba Falls.It crosses the Jamison Valley at a height of 270 metres.
The Scenic Cableway boasts exceptional panoramic views of the Blue Mountains.The fully-enclosed cabins of the Cableway mean you can safely look down on the Three Sisters,Orphan Rock,Mount Solitary and Katoomba Falls from way above.The Scenic Cableway is being the largest and steepest aerial cable car in Australia.
The Scenic Walkway is an elevated boardwalk that includes a 300 metre easy walking link between the base of the Scenic Railway and Scenic Cable way. Brilliant in sunshine and even better in the rain, this elevated boardwalk immerses visitors in Jurassic rain forest on the Jamison Valley floor with minimal impact on the environment. As you pass ancient trees and colorful local flora, you’ll also get to learn about the history of the region, including its' past as a mining area. Listen out for some of the native birds singing too. During the walk, you’ll come across a replica miners hut, see the miner’s entrance and marvel at a bronze sculpture of a miner with his horse.
You can then walk around on a boardwalk at the bottom of the rain forest, and come back up on a very large cable car.The forest bush walk is excellent , one of the best I have done.
We had a lovely day doing all three rides and doing nearly the full walk in the rain forest, so beautiful and peaceful.The walk along the wooden boardwalk through the rain-forest was really amazing, and we all loved the ride up and down, then across the valley.
Great place to visit when in Sydney and in the surrounding area. Not only is the view out of this world, you have access by stairs to get to the bottom of the first of the three sisters.Some of the region’s sandstone peaks have an altitude of more than 900m high above sea level.The three sisters and the valley are super.The scenery is so majestic.The Blue Mountains is a magical place any time of the year.If you have time, don't forget to visit Jenolan Caves as well.The Jenolan Caves are a highlight of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The Greater Blue Mountains was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000 and was one of 15 World Heritage places included in the National Heritage List on 21 May 2007.
It is an area of diverse landscapes filled with plants, wildlife, caves and rock formations in NSW national parks. It's full of cultural significance, with six Aboriginal groups having connection to the Country of the Area, as it's tied with Dreaming and rock art.
- Be sure to wear comfy hiking shoes.It has many rough walking tracks.
- It is highly recommended that you check the weather forecast
before going, in winter it can be anywhere from 0 to 8 degrees Celsius.If the weather is clear and sunny you can see for many kilometers across the valleys and cliffs.
- Scenic World gets very crowded after the train from Sydney and tourist buses arrive. In my opinion, if you can stay in town the night before and visit this attraction in the morning, you will probably find it much more enjoyable.
- Don't miss to go Jenolan Caves in Blue Mountain World Heritage area.Just 75km from the Three Sisters.It takes 1hr 15 min only. Jenolan Caves will not disappoint.
