1 Cairns and District, North Queensland
2 The Gold Coast, Queensland
3 The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
4 Great Ocean Road, Victoria
5 Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
6 The Kimberley, Western Australia
7 Blue Mountains, New South Wales
8 Sydney Harbour & Sydney Opera House
9 Tasmania's World Heritage Site
10 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
For a complete change to Sydney's glamour, visit these nearby mountains to experience the great natural beauty of their geological wonders.
This is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations. Visitors come to the Blue Mountains to experience their wild grandeur, mist-filled valleys, rich Aboriginal and European heritage, and to escape the summer heat. The cold winters allow visitors to enjoy the charm of open fires. Just two hours by road from Sydney, the mountains get their name from their blue haze.
There is so much to do and see here, from just taking in the panoramic views from the many escarpment lookouts to walking in the temperate rainforests which line the ravines and valleys. Waterfalls cascade off the cliffs into valleys far below, where they join streams that disappear into dense vegetation. The golden brown of ancient, weathered rockfaces, formed by the action of the elements over millions of years, contrasts with the distinctive blue green of the mountain vegetation. Because of the great range and diversity of land forms and plant communities, and its habitats sheltering rare or endangered fauna, the Greater Blue Mountains region became a World Heritage Site in 2000. In addition to its natural sights, there are myriad galleries, antique shops, exquisite gardens, museums and fine eating establishments to enjoy. The Katoomba Scenic Railway and the Scenic Skyway provide unique perspectives of their surroundings while just over the range are the famous Jenolan Caves with their amazing limestone formations.Train: From Sydney to most locations; driving is another option
Accessible: Few
Practical: A wide range of accommodation from B&Bs to five star. Many tour companies operate day tours from Sydney
Info: Visitor Centre, Great Western Highway, Glenbrook (Phone: 1300 653 408 Hours: Daily 9-5); www.bluemountainstourism.org
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