Blue Mountains Area, New South Wales

Katoomba Falls The World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains have become one of the most consistently popular holiday regions of Australia. Numerous visitors return year after year to enjoy the wide range of sporting facilities and outdoor activities in the healthy, invigorating climate. The breathtaking scenic beauty, nostalgic appeal and opportunity for relaxation attract more than a million visitors each year.

The Blue Mountains are easily reached by road and rail from Sydney in less than 2 hours, while one day round trip coach services run daily from Sydney to Katoomba. The wide diversity of accommodation and great range of activities available makes it an ideal destination for a stay of longer duration.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Blue Mountains dates back at least 14 000 years ago. Many camp sites, art sites, axe grinding grooves, rock engravings and stone tools and flakes exist throughout the Blue Mountains. The Daruk, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Aboriginal tribes existed in the central, south and western areas of the Blue Mountains respectively. All Aboriginal sites and relics are protected. The Legend of the Three Sisters states that according to Gundungurra dreaming, three beautiful giant sisters named “Meehni”, “Wimlah” and “Gunnedoo” once lived with the Gundungurra people in the Jamison Valley

Adjoining the Great Dividing Range and known as a City within a National Park the Blue Mountains has vast, serene bushland, cliffs and gorges, wilderness areas, waterfalls and rivers and a blue haze that gives it a unique beauty which changes with light and weather. The City occupies some 1436 square kilometres and the population is scattered across 110 kms of ridgeline in 26 towns and villages.

Articles

Blue Mountain retreats

With a choice of cosy bushland retreats, budget accommodation, restored grand hotels, five-star resorts and top-rating guest houses, there's no reason to rush back to the city. Stay on weekdays if possible, when prices tumble.

Bushwalking spectacular

Lace up your walking boots because the Blue Mountains has some of the most spectacular bushwalks in the world. From easy cliff top walks with panoramic views, to challenging treks deep into valleys, be prepared for a memorable experience. more

Self-drive paradise

Many scenic routes wind between historic towns and dramatic cliff top views in the Blue Mountains. On the way back to Sydney stop off at the orchards at Bilpin and the impressive cool-climate slopes of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. more

World heritage

Dramatic canyons, sheer valleys, thundering waterfalls and gum forests all make up this World Heritage area - the Blue Mountains National Park. Also part of this recent listing is nearby Wollemi National Park - the home of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine. more

Yulefest in July

Christmas comes but once a year, they say, but not in the Blue Mountains where we like to celebrate a special Christmas in our winter season. From June to August local guesthouses and restaurants put on traditional turkey dinners and interiors are festooned with fairy lights so we can celebrate in the cold! more