I’ve been talking about exploring the Blue Mountains forever, and thought it was about time I got on with it. So two weeks ago I booked a plane flight to Sydney.
From there, a two-hour train ride took me up into the mountains to Katoomba, the major town in the area, bordering the Blue Mountains National Park and its bushwalking trails.
From Katoomba, a public bus takes you to Echo Point Lookout for scenic views to die for.
Further along, a pretty walk takes you past Orphan Rock Lookout.
and Katoomba Falls Lookout.
I guess the scenic railway is safe but I wasn’t going to test it out.
The path took me eventually to Katoomba Cascades, a very pretty spot where I rested for awhile, taking in the forest scents and the mountain air.
…
On my second day, I took the train two stops further along the track to the highest point, Mt. Victoria. I had coffee in the heritage Victoria and Albert Guesthouse. Fairly gorgeous.
After that, I and a few others wandered in circles around the bush, supposedly following signs to a lookout. I think the signs need a review, because none of us actually found it. Still, bushwalking for a couple of hours on top of a mountain wasn’t too bad, anyway.
After that, I returned to Katoomba to prepare for my trip back to Sydney.
Love these old railway stations.
Planning to the Nth 
I love the post. Funny thing: I’m writing a post about our trip up the Blue Mountains in Oregon (US).
I enjoy your blog.
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How wonderful. I’d love to read that. Your reply came through as Anonymous, by the way. It would be great to know your site so I could get onto it. Cheers.
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I enjoy all your posts about Australia, but this one stirred a personal memory – it’s one of the few places we actually visited in our short hops around the country, first in 1986 for a couple weeks and then much later on cruise stops.
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Such a beautiful spot, Ray. I’m glad I triggered some memories for you.
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The Sydney Sandstone Railway is very pretty.
And I’m glad you didn’t get totally lost like a schoolgirl at Hanging Rock! Sounds a little dangerous, they need to get that sorted!
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The Sydney Sandstone Railway? I’ll have to check that out. I’d take the Hanging Rock story with a grain of salt but you could get lost in the Blue Mountains pretty easily.
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I mean, the Railway Station in the picture is made from the yellowy/white sandstone found all over Sydney, and lots of buildings are made from it. The Rocks is a good place to see some old ones. Sorry for the confusion! My brother was telling me they have to cut those stones ‘with the grain’, or they break down very quickly.
It’s different I suppose from the old Melbourne red clinker brick stations (like Camberwell) that I’m used to.
Anyway, nice to see your adventures!
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I wandered around Sydney before flying home and the old buildings are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for reading.
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Absolutely gorgeous views Coral, the Three Sisters looks so mythical. Stunning shot of the scenic railway too but as you’ve alluded lord that looks precarious. I have always been a sucker for a heritage railway station, great stuff.
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Thanks so much, Leighton.
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Hi Coral,
Thanks for another photo tour of Oz. Why are they called the Blue Moubtains?
It’s so nice that you can always find an occasional Victorian hotel or bench. It must say a lot for the climate , over here the weather kills anything not made of stone.
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In 1788, the mountains were originally named ‘Carmarthen Hills’ and Lansdowne Hills’ by Governor Phillip. After noticing the distinctive blue haze surrounding the area, they changed the name to the Blue Mountains.
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Stunning photos, and great the railway stations are still so well preserved. We went years ago and remember it being bitterly cold up there.
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Thanks, Alison. Yep, it is a bit nippy up there till the sun comes out.
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Love the Blue Mountains and Katoomba. Looks like you got a great day to enjoy it too!
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I’ve been very lucky with the weather in my travels this year, Miriam. Sunshine the whole time. Makes it so much easier.
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Stunning scenery!
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Thanks, Lyssy. Sure is.
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Such beautiful views Coral. At each lookout picture I thought I’d say that it was my favourite, until I scrolled down to the next one. Glad you made it there and shared with us 🙂 Maggie
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Thanks so much, Maggie. I’m a bit slow but I get around to things eventually.
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Another beautiful spot I haven’t visited yet. How frustrating is it when sign posting lets you down, I’ve experienced that myself recently and it’s so annoying. Could be very dangerous in some parts too.
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So true, Glenys. Actually, a couple of us found ourselves on a track along a cliff with no fencing and decided it might be better to head back where we came from. You could be lost for days out there and no-one would know.
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I’ve heard so much about the Blue Mountains so it was nice to see some pictures.
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Great, Darlene. That’s actually just one little bit of the area but the easiest for tourists to get to.
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Beautiful place 😍
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Sure is, Melodie. And that was just a small part of it. The mountains seem to go on forever. Cheers.
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I’m expecting to be over in Oz late December and early January (daughter working in Melbourne at the moment) and hope to visit the Blue Mountains.
There’s been a series on the BBC recently set in the Victorian Alps. Tapping into your local knowledge, what are they like? Worth a visit?
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I haven’t broached much of the Alps myself, having a horror of driving round mountains, but there are others that just love them. Definitely go.
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