Search these
Adventure Categories

Adventure Operators

Retailers

Manufacturers

Equipment Hire

Vehicle Hire

Education & Training

Gift Vouchers

Marketplace

Adventure Community

Adventure Blog

Clubs & Associations

Events Calendar

Adventure Articles

About Our Regions

A guide to the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales

Back to New South Wales

Visit the Blue Mountains NSW

The World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains have become one of the most consistently popular holiday regions of Australia. Numerous visitors return year after year to enjoy the wide range of sporting facilities and outdoor activities in the healthy, invigorating climate.

The breathtaking scenic beauty, nostalgic appeal and opportunity for relaxation attract more than a million visitors each year.

The Blue Mountains are easily reached by road and rail from Sydney in less than 2 hours, while one day round trip coach services run daily from Sydney to Katoomba. The wide diversity of accommodation and great range of activities available makes it an ideal destination for a stay of longer duration.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Blue Mountains dates back at least 14 000 years ago. Many camp sites, art sites, axe grinding grooves, rock engravings and stone tools and flakes exist throughout the Blue Mountains. The Daruk, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Aboriginal tribes existed in the central, south and western areas of the Blue Mountains respectively. All Aboriginal sites and relics are protected. The Legend of the Three Sisters states that according to Gundungurra dreaming, three beautiful giant sisters named “Meehni”, “Wimlah” and “Gunnedoo” once lived with the Gundungurra people in the Jamison Valley

Adjoining the Great Dividing Range and known as a City within a National Park the Blue Mountains has vast, serene bushland, cliffs and gorges, wilderness areas, waterfalls and rivers and a blue haze that gives it a unique beauty which changes with light and weather. The City occupies some 1436 square kilometres and the population is scattered across 110 kms of ridgeline in 26 towns and villages.

Jenolan Caves

Take a break from your world and visit the timeless seclusion of Jenolan Caves, where the beauty above and below ground is inspirational.

Imagine a maze of ancient limestone tunnels, subterranean rivers, and caverns richly draped with exotic mineral deposits.

Aborigines first named the area Binoomea or Dark Places. By the 1830s European settlers started to explore the caves. Formation has occurred through a complex relationship between water, rock, atmosphere and the life forms that inhabit the environment. The caves await your exploration.

Enthusiastic and specially trained guide will describe the processes of nature that formed this natural wonder, as you explore chambers illuminated to highlight astonishing features. Over 3kms of formed paths have been developed to provide a choice of caves tour options and themes to suit all ages and levels of fitness.

The caves available are the Orient and, Temple of Baal Caves, Lucas, Imperial and Chifley Cave tours. The Lucas, Imperial and Chifley Caves are excellent all round tours with a wide variety of features. The Lucas Cave is the longest of these tours and the one hour Imperial Cave tour is the easiest. The Chifley Cave is noted for its use of coloured lights.

If you have time for only one tour, visit the Lucas, Imperial or Chifley. If you have time to visit more than one cave, why not take advantage of our two and three multi-cave concession tickets.

Adventure caving is available with tours led by qualified guides operate daily with specialist equipment provided, bookings are essential.

There is much to offer at Jenolan Reserve, a part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and situated on the edge of the Kanangra Boyd National Park. Walking tracks through the reserve offer the discovery of mountain lookouts, natural archways, rivers, waterfalls and a vast array of flora and fauna. When hunger strikes, there are secluded picnic spots, barbecue areas, a bistro, or fine dining at Jenolan Caves House to satisfy you.

NSW National Parks can be closed at times because of bushfire and bushfire danger. We advise you check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au. Remember, play it safe and tell others where you go and when you will be back. All images © Tourism New South Wales.

Disclaimer: The information contained about this region is provided as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Break Loose Publishing disclaim any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For our complete Disclaimer please follow the link at the foot of the page.