23 – 26 April 2018

If you Google Australia’s top attractions, Blue Mountains National Park is likely to make the list. The Blue Mountains are west of Sydney and easily accessed from Australia’s largest city making them a popular tourist attraction. They are a 1.5 to 2 hour drive on the Great Western Highway or 3 hour train ride from city center. Day trips are available by bus for tourists short on time. We stayed in the Village of Wentworth Falls which we found very quiet but convenient. Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, and Blackheath are all great locations to explore the park’s most popular attractions. If you want to be within walking distance of restaurants and shopping, Katoomba is the heart of Blue Mountain tourism.

Driving toward the mountains it was easy to see why the Blue Mountains where named ‘blue’ but as we got closer all we could see was green. Apparently eucalyptus trees that dominate the forest eminate a fine oil that refracts sunlight and gives them their blue appearance.

Our first full day in the park, we hiked trails in the Wentworth Falls area. We stitched together several trails to make a 3.5 hour hike filled with wide scenic panoramas. At first I was disappointed the National Pass Track was closed due to rock falls but I could not imagine it being any better than the ones we walked.  Jamison Lookout, Wentworth Falls, Fletchers Lookout, and Rocket Point Lookout were all great but the Overcliff-Undercliff Trail was especially enjoyable.