How dare it snow in the mountains!! (Blue Mountains National Park)

Member Name: stayleyvegas

Product:	Blue Mountains National Park
Date:	04/09/07 (187 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to see & do, easy to get to

Disadvantages: not for the lazy

***Background & History***

It was a lovely May day in Sydney. Clear blue skies, little breeze and cool, 20 degree weather. I feel that this is the only time of year that the British weather and Sydney weather is virtually the same. A small, annual window of opportunity to share something with our Antipodean friends without even knowing it.

Some friends of ours had invited us the day before to visit some horse racing stables “out West” as they had a race horse in training and given it was destined to be a lovely day we decided on an early start. The trip itself was uneventful and the race horse certainly looked magnificent. However, there is only so long you can walk around a horse waxing lyrical as though you know what you are talking about, no matter how good it looked. One of our friends said that given we are out here then we may as well go to The Blue Mountains as we are only 30 minutes away. “Sounds great” so off we went.

The Blue Mountains are approx 100 kms West of Sydney (60-90 minutes drive) and form part of The Great Dividing Range. This was an impenetrable barrier on the voyage of discovery and it wasn’t until 1813 that they were crossed by Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and a Lieutenant Lawson, along with four servants. By July 1814 a 47 mile road had been built and within six months the road extended all the way to what is now Bathurst, 101 miles away.

They were originally named Carmarthen Hills and Landsdowne Hills in 1778 although not long after were renamed The Blue Mountains due to the distinctive blue haze surrounding the area.

I must say that the name to me is a bit of a misnomer. To my mind they are neither mountains nor blue and this is after three visits there. The Himalayas are mountains. The Rockies are mountains. The Blue Mountains are to me, The Green Hillocks but this does not sound very appealing and completely un-Australian so The Blue Mountains they are. Given the highest point is 1017 metres above sea level then I don’t think I am exaggerating. Having said this, I have heard and read many times about this blue haze (said to originate from oil from Eucalyptus trees that cover the area) but have just not been fortunate enough to see it or else I am colour blind.

£1 = AS$2.40


***Time Difference***

There is a 11 hour difference ahead of GMT during UK Winter and 9 hours ahead in Summer.


***Climate***

Winter is max 16 C/min 5C and Summer max 29C/min 18C. However, as we found to our cost several times these are just averages and the only constant in Australian weather is its unpredictability. It can be warm in winter and cold in summer so be prepared.


***Getting There***

As indicated, we went by car and as I wasn’t driving and we took a detour I was taking little notice of directions. However, The Blue Mountains are signposted from way back in Sydney and are difficult to miss (if they are shining blue!!). From Sydney, get on Highway 4 (The Great Western Highway) and head West following the signs.

You can also get there by train from Sydney (circa $25 return to Katoomba) or alternatively there are many companies that do organised day trips there from the City (AAT Kings being the best known and the cost is circa $100 but depends exactly what you want to see). All the operators will pick you up at your hotel and return you there.

The first thing you come to is the local town, Katoomba, which is a major stopping off point in the Blue Mountains. This gives you the first impression that these are not really mountains at all as you arrive by car, not realizing you have climbed given it appears a rolling, gentle incline. It is a bit of a disappointment when you find out you then have to go down hill to reach Echo Point, a main look out over the mountains and gorges. I was hoping that Katoomba was base camp then we could trek up to the peak but it turns out Katoomba is the peak and then you go downwards.

Each visit I always felt I was visiting a wild west town as it had that kind of feel although it is a modern, thriving town with a main street packed with gift shops, bars/cafes, restaurants, shops where you can book tours, banks etc. However, on this occasion it had a different feel given it was blanketed within 30 minutes of arriving in a light covering of snow.

The snow continued to come down fast. By this point the locals were out in the streets having snow ball fights and all around us cars were crashing into others and it became apparent that the Aussies had either not seen snow or not driven in it before.

The weather closed in very fast and we were hearing reports that the road out was blocked and shut down and that it would be likely that we would have to stay overnight. It was all very exciting because we had not foreseen this and as it turned out it was the worst snowfall for over 90 years. As a result we had to book into a motel (can’t remember the name) which luckily had rooms available and they didn’t take advantage price wise of us being stranded (about £25 for a double room) and as it happened we had a fantastic night in the town. Firstly, we had a trip around the bars and something to eat and then got back to the hotel where the owners had a roaring log fire going and the brandy out. We were all in the lounge area, the fire was crackling, a guest was playing the piano, the staff and locals were very excited about the snow and the proprietors were handing out free brandy and everyone was in a great mood. People were out in the streets singing and having snowball fights. It all went to create a terrific atmosphere and togetherness and it was all because of that snowstorm!


***Where to stay***

From Youth Hostels to top class hotels the choice is yours. If you were planning on a stop over then I would recommend pre booking and there are many web sites providing detailed information. This one has links to accommodation http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/Default.asp


***Eating Out***

You are spoilt for choice here from a basic burger to fine dining it caters for everyone and there are lots of choice. Also seems to be an abundance of lovely, local bakeries.


***Shopping***

If you are a shopaholic then don’t bother going – go to The City instead. You will find lots of gift shops selling local trinkets but if you are coming here for the shopping then don’t bother.


***Things To Do***

The whole place centres around things to do. If you want a lazy holiday then don’t come here. It is the kind of place where doing nothing is not an option. Given our planned itinerary had gone to the wall and time was limited, the day after we woke to glorious blue skies and sunshine and we had to rush a few things. It was actually quite warm and all the previous nights snow was slowly melting away.

Everywhere you go there are advertisements, posters etc detailing activities and providing numbers/addresses to go to book. There are also numerous visitor information centres as well as shops where you can book trips etc so it is not difficult when you get there to book something quickly.

Firstly, we went to Echo Point, about five minutes drive away and from there you can overlook the Three Sisters which is a rock formation named after three Aboriginal sisters and is a spectacular view and a great photo opportunity and they can be seen from several different sites given their height. It is said that the name originates from three Aborigine sisters being encased in rock for ever more although there are seemingly several versions as to why. Whatever the reasons it is a superb sight. There is also a visitor information centre and several gift shops. There is a great photo of the three sisters here http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/thingsToDo/three Sisters.asp

We then took the scenic railway ($6 each way) which has been described as the world’s steepest railway as it goes right down the mountainside to the bottom. This short trip is spectacular in that it is a very gentle incline which is disappointing, then suddenly you are face down to the valley floor which takes you by surprise. At the bottom you can then have a walk round a 2km scenic walkway but given the snow it was very slippery and you couldn’t really see anything. You then have the option of taking the scenic cableway back up but it was shut. We therefore got the train back up although you can also trek it if you like.

Also here is the scenic Skyway which travels 720 metres, 270 metres above ground and has the world’s first state of the art Electro-Sceni Glass Floor. Unfortunately this was shut but seemingly the views from it are both stomach churning if you suffer from heights and stunning.

There are also numerous other things that you can see/do that we unfortunately didn’t get to do:

• Cycling and mountain bike tours
• Heritage walks
• 4WD tours
• eco tours
• abseiling and rock climbing
• guided and solo bushwalks
• horse riding
• Jenolan Caves
• Govetts Leap
• Leura Cascades;
• Gordon Falls Reserve

The list is endless and for a detailed list for each town in the Blue Mountains this can be found here:

http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/thingsToDo/attr actions.asp


***Conclusion***

The Blue Mountains are a must see experience if you go to Sydney on holiday. You can spend anything between a day and a week there and still have plenty to do. The scenery is breathtaking and the experience sensational and although you are just over an hour from Sydney it feels like a different country altogether, but still with the Australian charm and laid back feel.

The whole place is bursting with activity, the people are friendly and there are no airs and graces about the place. It is set up for tourism and the Aussies know how to deliver.

It has lots to offer with many things unique and because of this it doesn’t feel as though the place is competing with Sydney and other Sydney-side destinations simply because it doesn’t have to. It offers things you cannot get elsewhere and this comes across in the typical laid back, confident Australian style.

It is a place you can just decide to sneak up on and have a peek although if you are planning on going then I would recommend doing some research beforehand and drawing up an itinerary even if you change this on arrival.

Summary: A must see visit if you go to Sydney