Blue Mountains National Park
Overview
Open Hours: 7am to 7pm daily
Encompassing 267,954 hectares of wilderness within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area, the Blue Mountains National Park comprises six distinct areas, from the eastern gateway at Glenbrook to remote hidden corners near Oberon in the south-west.
Description
This is the landscape that so intrigued Charles Darwin during his visit in 1836, describing the views from Wentworth Falls as “exceedingly well worth visiting”. With hundreds of bush walking trails, lookouts at iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Three Sisters, dozens of beautiful waterfalls, glowing sandstone escarpments and far-reaching views of blue-hazed valleys, you too will be captivated by the rugged beauty of this treasure on Sydney’s doorstep. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day trip to marvel at the Three Sister rock formation from Echo Point in Katoomba. Take in sweeping views of sheer sandstone cliffs and hazy blue Grose Valley from Govetts Leap in Blackheath. At Wentworth Falls you’re spoilt for choice with world-class lookouts, walks and waterfalls. The National Park is a walker’s paradise, boasting over 140km of track and trails. Why not walk a section of historic Prince Henry Cliffs walk, between Katoomba and Leura; or descend into the Grand Canyon. Combine a short walk with Aboriginal rock art or a swim in a natural pool near Glenbrook. Mountain bike riders can tackle the famed Woodford-Oaks trail, scenic Narrow Neck or Faulconbridge Ridge trail. There are also great opportunities for adventure sport tours, including abseiling, rock climbing and canyoning. Within two hours’ drive of Sydney, you can be camping by majestic eucalypts at Euroka, or watching a spectacular sunset at Perrys Lookdown. Seek solitude at remote Acacia Flat, or 4WD to Mount Werong or Burralow Creek for a night of stargazing and wildlife spotting.