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 The Blue Mountains offer a variety of outdoor activities, cafes and bed and breakfasts to suit families, singles and couples. There is a tourist information office at Echo Point, about 2km from the train station. You’ll be able to pick up maps detailing walking tracks and any other information on the area’s offerings.
Most visitors to the Blue Mountains come to see the geographical feature, The Three Sisters, at Echo Point. www.visitbluemountains.com.au
Thrills:
There are also waterfalls, 41 different walks you can do, and the Skyway – a cable car that gives great views of the nature below. But if you really want to have a good time, take the world's steepest Scenic Railway ride - The Mountain Devil. It was built about 60 years ago and used to transport coal up the hill. Now, it's a tourist attraction and it's a whole lot of fun. The train ride is short, steep, goes through a dark tunnel, offers great views, and a brief adrenalin rush. $10 one way. It's popular with kids and adults.
Walks:
One of the best walks you can do is the Giant Stairway walk which includes going up or down 1000 steps, and taking the Federal Pass track to the Scenic Railway. Great views, a picnic spot. Medium walk. Takes about 2 hours at a leisurely pace if you start at Echo Point, visit the Three Sisters, go down the stairs and end up at the railway.
It's always best to start the walks early so you can feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Otherwise, by mid morning, most tracks start filling up with other walkers and tourists.
Towns:
Katoomba is the biggest town in the Blue Mountains. Others include Leura which offers good scenic walks, look-outs, waterfalls, and a diverse range of flaura and fauna. Leura also has a great village feel with popular cafes and interesting shops. Blackheath is also popular. All towns have a period feel to them, and plenty of cafes and shops.
Zig Zag:
If you decide to stay in the Blue Mountains a few days, you can check out the Zig Zag railway. It was built in 1869 and descents more than 200m zig zagging its way down. www.zigzagrailway.com.au
Caves:
Also in the Blue Mountains are the popular Jenolan Caves. www.jenolancaves.org.au
Art:
If you are into art, check out Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum. It is the former estate of flamboyant Australian artist, Norman Lindsay. The property is open to the public and houses some of Linday's most important works. 14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge. Ph: (02) 4751 1067 www.normanlindsay.com.au
For more information on what to see and do in the Blue Mountains, go to www.bluemountainswonderland.com/
EAT
In Katoomba -
- check out Niche Noche - a great and very friendly vegetarian restaurant in Katoomba St.
- The Carrington 15 at 47 Katoomba St, Ph: (02) 4782 1111 www.thecarringtonhotel.com.au
- Darley’s at Lilianfels on Lilianfels Ave (dinner Tues – Sat, lunch Sun, upmarket and pricey, superb views), Ph: (02) 4780 1200 www.lilianfels.com.au,
- Echoes at 3 Lilianfels, Ph: (02) 4782 1966 www.echoeshotel.com.au.
- If you like chocolate, you can check out the award winning Blue Mountains Chocolate Company, 176 Lurline St, Katoomba. Ph: (02) 4782 7071
In Leura -
- check out Solitary at 90 Cliff Drive. Ph: (02) 4782 1164 www.solitary.com.au
- Or try the Stock Market Cafe or Red Door on the main street, both are very popular with locals.
- Silks Brasserie at 128 Leura Mall does lunch and dinner daily.
At Blackheath -
- THE place to go to for a meal if you are a food lover is Ashcrofts. It's at 18 Govett's Leap Rd. Ph: (02) 4787 8297 www.ashcrofts.com
Special treat -
If you have a car, drive to Megalong Valley for breakfast or lunch at the Tea Rooms. Follow the signs from Blackheath until you reach the Tea Rooms - a house in a valley set amongst gum trees with superb views of the Blue Mountains. It has a relaxed feel, tables set among trees in the garden, devonshire teas, great home made soups, ploughman's lunch, big breakfasts. Sit outside in the sunshine and chill out.
GETTING THERE
Driving takes about 2 hours from the city centre via the M4 Motorway.
Or, you can catch the train (Blue Mountains line, Country Link platform from Central station) which takes about 2 hours to Katoomba. Tickets to Katoomba are $11.60 one way for adults, $5.80 one way for children/students, and $2.50 for pensioners.
Return tickets are $23.20 for adults, $11.60 for children/students and $2.50 for pensioners.
Off peak tickets are available for travel outside normal peak times and on weekends - ($16.20 adult return, and $3.60 child return). Off peak fares are not available for students or pensioners.
You can also combine the return train ticket with the hop-on hop-off Explorer Bus in the Blue Mountains. Prices are $42.20 (adult) for the train/bus combination, and $16.60 (child).The bus stops at 30 attractions.
There is a 3-day Blue Mountain ExplorerLink pass you can buy. The pass gets you return Cityrail train travel from Central Station to any station between Wentworth Falls and Zig Zag. Unlimited CityRail travel between Wentworth Falls and Zig Zag over the three days. And unlimited Explorer Bus access over the three days. Prices are from $57.60 for an adult and $24.30 for a child.
For more information on train times and ticket prices, go to www.cityrail.info
For further information on directions: go to www.whereis.com/whereis/directions.do
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