Today may have been the best
day of the trip. If not number one then definitely top three. We finally went
to visit The Blue Mountains! The Blue Mountains is a mountain range in New
South Wales that forms part of an extensive mountainous area associated with
the Great Dividing Range. It is carved in
sandstone bedrock.
I woke up early to grab a shower and a quick bacon and egg sandwich before leaving then headed outside to wait for our bus. This actually turned out to be more of a van. Well, maybe a large van, almost as if a bus and a van had a baby (disregarding the fact that they are both inanimate objects). What was particularly wonderful about this bus is that while it held 20 people, it was reserved specially for only the 11 of us. That’s right, we were on a private tour. Our guide’s name was Jim and he was a man who was good at his job. As we drove through Sydney he told us all the different historical sites and how they came to be. Then he took us over the Harbor Bridge and gave us a view of the bay. After that we had about a 45-minute drive before our first stop: Featherdale Wildlife Center.
I woke up early to grab a shower and a quick bacon and egg sandwich before leaving then headed outside to wait for our bus. This actually turned out to be more of a van. Well, maybe a large van, almost as if a bus and a van had a baby (disregarding the fact that they are both inanimate objects). What was particularly wonderful about this bus is that while it held 20 people, it was reserved specially for only the 11 of us. That’s right, we were on a private tour. Our guide’s name was Jim and he was a man who was good at his job. As we drove through Sydney he told us all the different historical sites and how they came to be. Then he took us over the Harbor Bridge and gave us a view of the bay. After that we had about a 45-minute drive before our first stop: Featherdale Wildlife Center.
So Featherdale has a very open door philosophy, meaning that
both humans and animals alike could pretty much go wherever they please. There
were some exceptions, such as the birds and bats and certain animals were
blocked off from others but otherwise, animals were free to fly or climb
wherever they pleased. We walked through the gate and were immediately greeted
by little wallabies jumping all around, playing in the bush and looking for
food. You were able to feed and pet them if they were willing to come to you.
They were almost like little puppies. We went through another gate and found several koalas napping in their trees. There was even one area where they brought the koala down and you were able to pet them. They didn’t feel like I expected them too; they were soft yet somewhat coarse.
The next section was one of the main attractions: kangaroos. These guys would hop right up to you and say hello, especially if you had food. They were cheeky too! They would sneak the food out of your hand while you were feeding another one and cradle their paws under your hand so it was harder to move. It was so much fun just petting and feeding them. They eat right out of your hand; it’s a crazy feeling. And once they know you’re friendly, they’re happy to let you scratch their heads, or backs, or ears. They were actually a little softer than I expected, almost like dogs. The final sector had a lot of different animals to see but they were mostly in their own little areas.. We saw several types of birds, a dingo, and a quokka. The dingoes are actually very pretty; they had copper colored fur and looked like a slightly bigger fox. The quokkas were, of course, adorable and looked like they were just smiling the whole time. I also go to see and pet a wombat for the first time. They’re so fat! And they’re fur is a little rougher than I imagined. Adorable nonetheless. I also worked quite hard to spot a Tasmanian Devil but he was in hiding. We only stayed for an hour but I could’ve stayed all day. Eventually though we piled back on the bus for the longer leg of our trip; two hours north of Sydney and up into the mountains.
They were almost like little puppies. We went through another gate and found several koalas napping in their trees. There was even one area where they brought the koala down and you were able to pet them. They didn’t feel like I expected them too; they were soft yet somewhat coarse.
The next section was one of the main attractions: kangaroos. These guys would hop right up to you and say hello, especially if you had food. They were cheeky too! They would sneak the food out of your hand while you were feeding another one and cradle their paws under your hand so it was harder to move. It was so much fun just petting and feeding them. They eat right out of your hand; it’s a crazy feeling. And once they know you’re friendly, they’re happy to let you scratch their heads, or backs, or ears. They were actually a little softer than I expected, almost like dogs. The final sector had a lot of different animals to see but they were mostly in their own little areas.. We saw several types of birds, a dingo, and a quokka. The dingoes are actually very pretty; they had copper colored fur and looked like a slightly bigger fox. The quokkas were, of course, adorable and looked like they were just smiling the whole time. I also go to see and pet a wombat for the first time. They’re so fat! And they’re fur is a little rougher than I imagined. Adorable nonetheless. I also worked quite hard to spot a Tasmanian Devil but he was in hiding. We only stayed for an hour but I could’ve stayed all day. Eventually though we piled back on the bus for the longer leg of our trip; two hours north of Sydney and up into the mountains.
The views were amazing. Looking down on the city and into
the valleys is such a cool feeling. Our next stop was at a random turn off
called Lincoln’s Point. We drove up a one-lane dirt road and parked in the
bushes then followed Jim to the edge of a mountain. Literally. No railings, no
barriers, nothing between you and the wide-open air. The clouds were low so
when you looked out, all you saw was a sea of white.
It was like an illusion. And it was breathtaking. Literally. My heart stopped when I walked all the way up to the edge and looked down, seeing the trees and rocks far below. It was a little breezy and with one strong gust of wind, I’d be free falling. I decided at that point that maybe it’d be best to sit down. So I walked away from the ledge, sat down, then scooted my way back up, dangling my feet right off. The wind was working in our favor and it blew the clouds away, giving us a clear look over the rest of the hills and mountains in the area. The moment was almost surreal and gone much too quickly. But, again, we piled back in the van and continued our trip.
It was like an illusion. And it was breathtaking. Literally. My heart stopped when I walked all the way up to the edge and looked down, seeing the trees and rocks far below. It was a little breezy and with one strong gust of wind, I’d be free falling. I decided at that point that maybe it’d be best to sit down. So I walked away from the ledge, sat down, then scooted my way back up, dangling my feet right off. The wind was working in our favor and it blew the clouds away, giving us a clear look over the rest of the hills and mountains in the area. The moment was almost surreal and gone much too quickly. But, again, we piled back in the van and continued our trip.
Next we made another quick stop at a different lookout to
get our first good look at the Blue Mountains range. It was called Govett’s
Leap and it looked out over Grose Valley.
This is also where Bridal’s Veil is, a beautiful, white thin waterfall that drapes over the mountain, much like the veil of a bride.
It was amazing how every view was better than the next. From here we could look almost straight through a large part of the range. We tore ourselves away to move onto our next destination.
One of the two main stops on our trip was next: the three sisters. The three sisters is a rock formation of three tall sandstone rocks that have been created overtime by erosion. They are one of the most famous formations in Australia and are located in the Jamison valley.
The sisters’ names are Meehni (922 m), Wimlah (918 m), and Gunnedoo (906 m). There is an Aboriginal legend that says these three sisters were part of the Katoomba tribe and they fell in love with three brothers from a neighboring tribe but it was forbidden. Angered by this the three brothers attacked and an elder of the Katoomba tribe turned the sisters to stone to protect them. But, he was killed during the battle and no one else knew how to turn them back. Knowing the history added even more meaning to the incredible views.
We took some time exploring the paths along the rocks and enjoyed the views of the valleys. After this was took a short break for lunch in the town of Leura at a small café called Loaves and the Dishes. The town was too cute for words. I wanted desperately to go shopping but we had no time. One day I will return there though. It’s on my list. After lunch we took some time to focus on the culture rather than the land and we went to an Aboriginal show. The show involved a family from an Aboriginal tribe talking about the different aspects of their tribe, including the different ways they paint their bodies, what land is theirs, and some of the dancing, singing, and hunting to do.
It was so interesting to learn about their different views and ways of life. They hold a lot of value in family and the environment. We learned that they have different types of body painting styles based on what law they are representing: man, family, personal, spiritual, or environment. We also learned the story of the didjeridu and got to hear them play it.
This is also where Bridal’s Veil is, a beautiful, white thin waterfall that drapes over the mountain, much like the veil of a bride.
It was amazing how every view was better than the next. From here we could look almost straight through a large part of the range. We tore ourselves away to move onto our next destination.
One of the two main stops on our trip was next: the three sisters. The three sisters is a rock formation of three tall sandstone rocks that have been created overtime by erosion. They are one of the most famous formations in Australia and are located in the Jamison valley.
The sisters’ names are Meehni (922 m), Wimlah (918 m), and Gunnedoo (906 m). There is an Aboriginal legend that says these three sisters were part of the Katoomba tribe and they fell in love with three brothers from a neighboring tribe but it was forbidden. Angered by this the three brothers attacked and an elder of the Katoomba tribe turned the sisters to stone to protect them. But, he was killed during the battle and no one else knew how to turn them back. Knowing the history added even more meaning to the incredible views.
We took some time exploring the paths along the rocks and enjoyed the views of the valleys. After this was took a short break for lunch in the town of Leura at a small café called Loaves and the Dishes. The town was too cute for words. I wanted desperately to go shopping but we had no time. One day I will return there though. It’s on my list. After lunch we took some time to focus on the culture rather than the land and we went to an Aboriginal show. The show involved a family from an Aboriginal tribe talking about the different aspects of their tribe, including the different ways they paint their bodies, what land is theirs, and some of the dancing, singing, and hunting to do.
It was so interesting to learn about their different views and ways of life. They hold a lot of value in family and the environment. We learned that they have different types of body painting styles based on what law they are representing: man, family, personal, spiritual, or environment. We also learned the story of the didjeridu and got to hear them play it.
Once the show finished, it was back on the road for us. But
only for a few miles to get to what is considered the best Blue Mountains view.
We spent some time just soaking it in; the clear blue skies, rolling green
land, strong brown sandstone. It’s a once in a lifetime view.
The next step was to take the experience even further. First, we took a cable car across one of the valleys, from the top of one mountain to the next. We went right over the valley and even saw one of the waterfalls inside it. Then, we took another car down into the valley, right at the base of the mountain.
From here we were able to walk a bit through the rainforest within the valley-area. It’s incredible the different types of plants and trees and seeing the way they rely on or feed off of each other. We saw trees whose trunks had actually grown together, weaving around one another. We also saw some old coalmines that had been used in the mountains long ago.
We learned that back in the older days, no one dared brave the mountains without an Aboriginal guide. There was no way around or through them, you had to go over and when you did, you took a guide who knew the land. Luckily we didn’t need to know the land because they had a pathway for us. Otherwise I may have never made it back.
But we did and we found ourselves at the foot of Cliffhanger: the world’s steepest railway. Yup, a railway that goes up the side of a mountain. And, since we were going from bottom to top, we took the ride backwards. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. At one point, we were actually inside the mountain, going through a tunnel they had cut for the track. Such an amazing experience. Once we made it back up top, we hit up the bus and made one final stop at an overlook called Lookout Point up the road to see a large sandstone wall that is slowly moving down one of the mountains.
With one last look look, we piled into the van a final time and made the long trip down the mountains and back into the city. After a quick dinner at the In-Café at the YHA, we got on the Murray bus for the very last time (at least for me) and headed back home.
The next step was to take the experience even further. First, we took a cable car across one of the valleys, from the top of one mountain to the next. We went right over the valley and even saw one of the waterfalls inside it. Then, we took another car down into the valley, right at the base of the mountain.
From here we were able to walk a bit through the rainforest within the valley-area. It’s incredible the different types of plants and trees and seeing the way they rely on or feed off of each other. We saw trees whose trunks had actually grown together, weaving around one another. We also saw some old coalmines that had been used in the mountains long ago.
We learned that back in the older days, no one dared brave the mountains without an Aboriginal guide. There was no way around or through them, you had to go over and when you did, you took a guide who knew the land. Luckily we didn’t need to know the land because they had a pathway for us. Otherwise I may have never made it back.
But we did and we found ourselves at the foot of Cliffhanger: the world’s steepest railway. Yup, a railway that goes up the side of a mountain. And, since we were going from bottom to top, we took the ride backwards. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. At one point, we were actually inside the mountain, going through a tunnel they had cut for the track. Such an amazing experience. Once we made it back up top, we hit up the bus and made one final stop at an overlook called Lookout Point up the road to see a large sandstone wall that is slowly moving down one of the mountains.
With one last look look, we piled into the van a final time and made the long trip down the mountains and back into the city. After a quick dinner at the In-Café at the YHA, we got on the Murray bus for the very last time (at least for me) and headed back home.
