 | ||
| Blue Mountains | ||
| State | New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 1,189 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
The Blue Mountains are a mountain region in New South Wales in Australia.
background
The Blue Mountains are part of the mountain range Great dividing rangewhich runs parallel to the east coast of the country. The sandstone mountains reach a height of up to 1190 m and were difficult to negotiate because of the extremely steep slopes.
In 2000 the region became Greater Blue Mountains in the list of World Natural Heritage by UNESCO recorded.
history
landscape
The sandstone of the Blue Mountains forms a plateau that is criss-crossed by gorges up to 700 m deep. The valleys are criss-crossed by rivers and heavily forested, the higher altitudes are drier, show bush-like vegetation and partly bare sandstone surfaces. The eastern parts of the Blue Mountains are in fact still counted as suburbs of Sydney. The individual places are grouped together to form local administrative areas, they are the City of the Blue Mountains with the main town Katoomba, the City of Hawkesbury, the City of Lithgow and Oberon.
Flora and fauna
- Wollemia: In 1994 a tree species was discovered in the Blue Mountains that had been thought to have been extinct for millions of years: wollemia. This was, among other things, the reason that parts of the Blue Mountains to UNESCO natural heritage were declared. To Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area belong to the Blue Mountains National Park and the Wollemie National Park.
- eucalyptus: Over 90 different species forest the region. Their oil evaporates from the leaves, the resulting bluish haze gave the region its name.
- Yellow-crested cockatoo: A very numerous species of bird here, the curious pigeon-sized birds approach humans and sometimes eat out of your hand.
- kangaroo: At some vantage points there are giant kangaroos, which are only slightly disturbed by the presence of people.
climate
Temperate climate. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below freezing. In summer the thermometer often rises above 30 ° C, the dry eucalyptus forests are then extremely at risk of forest fires. Some side streets are unpaved, quite narrow and have gradients of 20% and more, so that it can be difficult to escape.
getting there
&groups=Maske,Track,Aktivitaet,Anderes,Anreise,Ausgehen,Aussicht,Besiedelt,Fehler,Gebiet,Kaufen,Kueche,Sehenswert,Unterkunft,aquamarinblau,cosmos,gold,hellgruen,orange,pflaumenblau,rot,silber,violett)
By plane
By train
The journey from Sydney is possible in 90 minutes by train, with the 1 Katoomba train station It is worth a trip: overflowing with flower pots, a nice cafe, old, beautifully refurbished buildings and watch the locomotives being reconnected live. The fare for the 120 km from Sydney to Katoomba is inexpensive AUD 16.80 (8/2013, return, peak-time) or AUD 11.60 (8/2013, return, off-peak time Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.) and all day on weekends). Echo-Point Lookout, overlooking the Three Sisters, is 2.5 km from Katoomba Train Station. It is possible to purchase a combination ticket for the train and the ExplorerBus. In addition to the regular train ticket, you receive a voucher that can be exchanged for the bus ticket on site in Katoomba. Timetable and ticket prices under Sydneytrains.
By bus
From Sydney (expensive) day tours by buses and vans are offered. Flyers in almost every accommodation.
In the street
With the car you drive from Sydney off on the Great Western Highway, as M4 marked, towards the west. It leads from the center of Sydney past the Olympic site through the Parramatta district. At Penrith begins on the western bank of the river Penrean River the Blue Mountains National Park. over 1 Lawson, 2 Katoomba, 3 Blackheath and 4 Lithgow the way leads to 5 Bathurst. The path is in very good condition for the first 50 km, through the Blue Mountains it is quite winding and sometimes only two lanes. The journey from Sydney to Katoomba takes about 90 minutes.
Fees / permits
You don't have to pay any fees for the passage and day hikes, staying overnight on state-run campsites is enough, depending on the location and facilities free of charge to several dollars and only with advance notice.
mobility
The tourist Blue Mountains Explorer Bus runs a circuit every half hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Katoomba Railway Station via Scenic World, Echo Point and Leura. Adult day ticket 38 AUD, no single tickets (as of 8/2013). The also runs on the same circuit Trolley tours bus, Adult day ticket 25 AUD. Travel on the public buses of the Blue Mountain Bus Company. Line 686 runs every half hour between Katoomba Carrington Hotel (on Katoomba Street, the main street at the train station), Scenic World and Echo Point. The main sights can be reached quickly and without tourist rip-offs.
Tourist Attractions
- the 1 Three sisters, one of the landmarks of the Blue Mountains near Katoomba, next to it the Scenic World.
- the 4 Jenolan Caves, spectacular stalactite cave
- 5 Mount Portal Lookout point on the Cumberland Plane and the western suburbs of Sydney near Blackheath
- 6 Featherdale Wildlife Park. Located in Featherdale on the western outskirts of Sydney, it is home to a large number of endemic species.
activities
Activities include a visit to the Three Sisters and various viewpoints, a ride on the Scenic World gondola lifts, the tourist bus and short to several-hour hikes to waterfalls and deep in the gorges.
shop
kitchen
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
camping
Unfortunately there is only 2 campsites in the Blue Mountains and you should reserve them in good time. The one in Katoomba is very centrally located and various attractions and hiking routes can be reached in a few minutes on foot. In addition, the tourist shuttle bus, which operates a circuit to the sights, stops right in front of the entrance. Hopp on Hopp off tickets allow you to visit them without having to use your own vehicle (recommended).
security
trips
If you are in this area or on the way from Lithgow to Bathurst, you should visit the Jenolan Caves contemplate. These stalactite caves are spectacular and impressive. The route leads through beautiful landscapes, often with fascinating views. The access to the caves is winding, steep and narrow and therefore prohibited for heavy vehicles and camping trailers. Access is only permitted for buses coming from Blackheath. However, you should not only limit your stay to the caves, but also explore the area. Among other things, it is possible to spot platypus while hiking along a river and lake. Echidna (Spani ant eater) and colorful parakeets can also be found.
