Blue Mountains National Park
The Blue Mountains National Park is another of Australia's World Heritage Listed areas. Located in New South Wales, 120 kilometers west of Sydney. It has been listed as a world heritage sight due to its natural bio diversity and extensive Eucalyptus Forests.
Home to luxury world class retreats as well as the world's steepest railway. The National Park offers something for everyone. Located in a valley, the Blue Mountains area is so densely populated by 40 metre high trees that it wasn't detected until 1994. The region is well known for its rock formations being a trio of pinnacles known as the three sisters, you can view the three sisters from Katoomba. The Blue Mountains itself is a region consisting of eight National Parks, the mountains offer 26 towns and villages full of history. Also famous for the Rhododendron Festival which is held in the Blue Mountains each year.
The National Park welcomes over 3 million people onto its grounds each year. Visitors looking to take in the beauty of these spectacular mountains and to breath in the relaxation country air. There is over 140 kilometers of walking tracks available with different tracks for all fitness and experience level. As altitudes can affect some peoples breathing if they are not used to this sort of environment. Walking tracks are even available for those with a disability.
For those not looking to walk through the park there is the Greater Blue Mountains Drive which won the 2008 Australian Tourism Award for New Tourism Development. This drive links the landscapes of each Blue Mountains National Parks in the one drive.
Other ways of exploring the park include Guided Bush Walks, Night Time Spotlighting Tours, Cultural Talks and Activities with the Indigenous Discovery Rangers and Four Wheel Drive Vehicle Tag Along Tours.
The National Park offers several camp grounds in different parts of the park. It is best to do this during the summer months of the year during December, January and Febuary as temperatures in this area tend to drop quite low during winter.
Indigenous Australians have occupied the Blue Mountains since 1789. Today there are a range of sights to see offering a insight into the history and culture of the Daruk people. The Indigenous people of Australia have a strong connection with this land, the park offers guided tours to help tourists try to understand this special connection.
This land is protected, with its very special and irreplaceable sights it is important that all visitors understand this and learn to respect this land.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a great place for either a day trip or a holiday, with so much to see, do and learn.
