Awesome Tour of Sydney – The Blue Mountains

Photo credit: pikerslanefarm

Mountains have always held an attraction for me when away on holidays. In Italy recently we were able to see the foot of the Alps from our hotel and they looked amazing. That’s why I’ve picked Sydney’s Blue Mountains for my last challenge.

The Blue Mountains have their foothills just west of Sydney and form part of a larger World Heritage site. So what’s unique about the area beyond the stunning vegetation and scenery? Well there’s:

Katoomba Scenic Railway
It’s got the steepest railway line in the world with an incline of 52 degrees over a distance of 415 metres. It was originally built to bring coal from the valley floor but was turned into a tourist attraction in Check out the video:

Jenolan Caves
These limestone caves are believed in some circles to be the oldest discovered open caves in the world. They attract in the region of 250,000 people every year. One of the caves within the complex features a river which had to be crossed in a small boat until they built a concrete bridge in 1923

Photo credit: iansand

The Three Sisters
One the most famous rock formations in the world are The Three Sisters. There is a legend that says that three sisters fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe, but marriage was forbidden by tribal law. Battle ensued, and the sisters were turned to stone by an elder to protect them, but he was killed in the fighting and no one else could turn them back. The nearby Giant Stairway descends into the Jamison Valley through 1000 feet and 800 steps.

Here’s a documentary produced by high school kids in Australia about the Blue Mountains:

While there an array of amazing things to do in Sydney, if I get to go, I’d be spending a few days in and around the Blue Mountains. Maybe I might see some koalas or even a cousin of the Ozzipean Party Spider. 🙂 I’ve learned a lot about Sydney over the whole Awesome Tour process and I’d like to thank the guys from New South Wales Tourism and 1000Heads for the opportunity. Best of luck to all the competitors, I wish I could be there to raise a pint with ye, but I can’t. All the best guys and cheers. 🙂

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