Sunday, 17 April 2016

The Blue Mountains, NSW

After a quick stop at Palm Beach to check out where the filming of the TV series 'Home and Away' is filmed, where we managed to see one of the Braxton boys lurking around the Diner, (I'm not up with my Home and Away, so I'm not sure exactly who he was!) haha! 
We then headed up into the hills to check out the Blue Mountains. 

Summer Bay surf club 

The Restaurant used in Home and Away. (I didn't realise it was actually a real restaurant and not just a set.) 

The beachfront regularly filmed in the show.

After a chilly overnight stop roadside, we headed to Scenic World to ride the Scenic Railway, Skyrail and Skyway Cable Car.
The Scenic Railway was by far our favourite.
The railway runs from the top of a mountain and decends straight through the middle to the bottom. 
The original train use to have passengers sitting at a 45 degree angle. The new train now allows those who dare, to experience the already extremely steep decent at what's called the 'Cliffhanger.' 
The Cliffhanger has you sitting at a 62 degree angle, which pretty much has you sliding off your seat!
(We of course chose this option ;))
We rode the train a few times, both up and down the mountain.

Ready to ride the Scenic Railway 

The train 

An old train carriage once used to cart passengers up and down the track. 

We caught the Skyrail over to the other side and walked to the various lookouts to see the Three Sisters rock formation. One of these tracks took us right up to the base of the first of the Three Sisters. 

The Three Sisters 


Family photo at the base of one of the Three Sisters 



We set up camp for the next few nights at a great free camp situated right on top of a mountain.
With 360 degree breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside I just loved this campsite! 

My favourite spot near camp

Sunrise 

Sunset 

We hiked and drove to quite a few lookouts around the Blue Mountains. When Gary and the girls were all hiked out, I left them back at camp, and set out to do some of the bigger hikes around the area by myself. 

One of many lookouts. (I can't remember which one this is ;)) 


Some of the many views from various lookouts around the Blue Mountains :)



Tori taking in the views 

My favourite by far was a challenging hike that took me to the very base of Wentworth Falls. 
After descending down 100's of steps carved into the side of a sandstone cliff, I arrived at the first falls base. 

Just a few of the steps, hand carved into the side of the sandstone cliff over 100 years ago, that I walked down.



The top of Wentworth Falls 

Halfway down Wentworth Falls 

Wentworth Falls. It was a bit of a foggy morning.. 

From here a lot of people turn around and walk back up, but I decided to follow the track out the other side. 
From here I had to walk along cliff ledges that I had to duck my head to get around, I climbed down steep ladders over the side of cliff faces and inbetween boulders. 



Finally after a steep 800m decent from the top, I arrived at the base of the falls. With no one else here, I had the place to myself! 




After spending a few moments to take it my surrounds I again followed the narrow, winding path, and hundreds of more steep uneven stairs (no complaints, It made for a great, much needed leg and butt workout!!) through beautiful forestry.
Along the way I came across many stunning waterfalls and with some slight jealousy, watched a group of guys abseil down one of the larger waterfalls! 
This hike was by far my favourite! By the end of it I was feeling pumped and pretty much talked Gary's and the girls ears of on my return! 

Waterfalls along the trail 

If you look closely in this photo you can see a guy abseiling down the 




Another closely followed favourite spot was Pulpit Rock. 
I arrived here around sunset and once again ended up having the place pretty much to myself! 
Walking out along the narrow bridge, down the steep ladder, onto the small rock that's known as Pulpits was pretty impressive. With views that went forever and a steep drop off that put me well above the ground, once again I was on a real high after visiting this special place. 

The view looking down to Pulpits Rock

The steep stairway down to the various lookout points
Steep stairs onto Pulpits 
Sunset from Pulpits 
Another amazing view 

From the Blue Mountains we decided to head up the old township of Newnes. More hiking and a trip out to check out an old railway tunnel full of glow worms!  

Read about this, and a run in with a wombat I had in my next blog! 

Bliss!! 

Xx 


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