Blue Mts is the most famous and most visited national park in New South Wales. Sydneysiders have been spending their weekends here for the last century and international tourists visiting Sydney often visit it as the only national park in Australia. Nothing wrong with that – Blue Mountains is known for its rock formations, blue gums and wildlife like laughing kookaburra, common wombat and superb lyrebird. And, it’s only 60km from the central Sydney – easily done as a day trip.
Animals in Blue Mountains National Park Blue Mountains National Park is full of interesting wildlife. Eastern Grey Kangaroos, wallabies, possums, and gliders are commonly seen. Birds include King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, and gang-gang cockatoos. Some of the classic species are laughing kookaburra, common wombat, and superb lyrebird. Most birds and animals hide in the middle of day but are easiest seen in dusk and dawn when they become active. Winters be get very cold in Blue Mountains, much colder than on the coastal lowlands, and snow is not unknown during the winter when it can be too cold to camp.
Katoomba and Other Small Towns Blue Mountains National Park is huge – it surrounds many small towns along the Great Western Highway. Whether you catch the twice-hourly train from Sydney’s central station, or drive a car, the national park starts in Glenbrook. Keep driving and you come to Faulconbridge – a small town with Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum, the former home for the famous Australian artist and author. Blue Mountains have always been an artists’ hideaway because of its proximity to Sydney, laid-back air and beautiful scenery.
Around Katoomba After you pass the 300m Wentworth Falls south of the highway, you come to Katoomba. Katoomba is the centre of Blue Mountains’ artists and hippies. With its Art Deco cafes and guesthouses and views of the famous rock formations within walking distance, Katoomba is a great place to stay while discovering the national park. Three Sisters, the most famous of the rock formations, can be seen across Jamison Valley from Echo Point just south of the town. To make the most of the views, there are the Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway and the Cable Way which crosses the Jamison Valley and stops for photo opportunities. For the adventurous souls there are the Katoomba Adventure Centre and High’n’Wild Mountain Adventures arranging abseiling, rock climbing, canyoning and mountain biking. Bushwalking is excellent around Katoomba and there are many short walks in Jamison Valley. If you like to be taken around and shown places, try Tread Lightly Eco Tours or Wonderbus. There are many campgrounds in the national park, but if you are staying in Katoomba, some places are No 14, Katoomba Mountain Lodge, Cecil Guesthouse and Clarendon Guesthouse.
North of Katoomba Further north is Blackheath – an excellent base while bushwalking in Grose and Megalong Valleys. In the Grose Valley east of the town are short walks to Evan’s Lookout, Govetts Leap, Pulpit Rock and Perry’s lookdown. In the Meadow Valley in west are short walks to Meldow Bath, Hargreaves lookout and Mount Blackheath. You can camp at Acacia Flat and Perry’s Lookdown in Grose Valley, or stay at Blackheath Caravan Park or Gardners Inn in Blackheath.
Jenolan Caves For keener bushwalkers there is the three-day bushwalk from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves - it is a great walk, and not too hard. For a scenic drive, try the northern road between Richmond and Lithgow.
Here's a map of Blue Mountains National Park, with places mentioned on this web page tagged. You can click on the tags to see what places they are, and double-click anywhere on the map to zoom it in and see the places closer. Drag the map to move around, and if you want to see the satellite image with Google Earth, click on "Sat" in the top right hand corner.
NOTE: This website is written in British English, which is the English we use in Australia. You will find words like "traveller", "harbour" and "realise", and they are all correct in the language used in Australia.
