Blue Mountains Attractions See all the attractions at Blue Mountains! With so much to see and do when visiting the Blue Mountains, we have provided you with a few suggestions of what not to miss whilst visiting the region. For more information please visit the Official Blue Mountains Tourism website http://www.visitbluemountains.com.au/ GOVETT’S LEAP LOOKOUT Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you’ll know why it’s one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. The ‘ozone-laden’ air of the Blue Mountains was promoted as a health tonic since the early 1800s, and when you get there, you’ll realise why. Located at the end of Govett’s Leap Road is Govett’s Leap lookout, which is possibly the second most popular vistas in the Blue Mountains. With a spectacular view of Govetts & Grose gorge the vertical cliffs drop 180 metres into the floor of the gorge. Also at the end of Govett’s Leap Road is the National Parks & Wildlife Heritage Centre, well worth a visit for its displays, information leaflets, maps, books and advice. There is also an easy nature walk, The Heritage Track which starts from the Centre plus a picnic area with BBQ facilities and toilets. Other all day nature walks are available with varying degrees of difficulty Website: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/blue-mountains-national-park/govetts-leap-lookout/lookout THE CAMPBELL RHODODENDRON GARDENS The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens were created in 1970 on 18.5 hectares (45 acres) of Australian bushland, 1065 metres above sea level at the northern end of Blackheath, in the beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is managed and maintained by the Blue Mountains Rhododendron Society of NSW Incorporated, a community organization of volunteers with members throughout Australia. It is a garden unique in the world – no other garden has attempted to plant exotics underneath their existing native bush on such a large scale. The gardens have a series of nature walks leading to the valley floor and the lake, with limited disabled access – most of the paths from the Lodge are bitumen, as is the service road through the valley. The rest, including all the paths on the far side of the valley, are in a natural state and have a varying number of steps to be negotiated. The most colourful months are: • April-May: spectacular autumn displays from deciduous trees followed by camellias. • September-October: spring blossoms and massed bulbs displays. • October-November: peak blooming time for rhododendrons and azaleas. Location: Blackheath Visiting information Open 9am-4pm every day except Christmas Day Entry is by gold coin donation at the car park No pets allowed in the Garden Enquiries 02 4787 6983 Address: Bacchante Street, Blackheath Website: www.rhodogarden.org.au THREE SISTERS The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Located at Echo Point Katoomba, around 2.5 kilometres from the Great Western Highway, this iconic visitor attraction is experienced by millions of people each year. The Three Sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. The Three Sisters is also floodlit until around 11pm each evening looking simply spectacular set against the black background of the night sky. Each of the Three Sisters stand at 922, 918 & 906 metres tall, respectively. That's over 3000 feet above sea level! The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry. The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle. As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come. Location: Echo Point Parking Meters at Echo Point; Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm 1st Hour $3.80 Then $4.40 per hour WARADAH ABORIGINAL CENTRE Imagine witnessing Australian Aboriginal culture in a contemporary gallery; with dance and didgeridoo performances, authentic artworks, and authentic souvenirs. Learn about Australia’s living Aboriginal culture from the local Dharug and Gundungurra tribes through informal cultural discussions and lectures. Waradah Aboriginal Centre offers a once in a lifetime Aboriginal experience in one location. The Waradah Aboriginal Centre is the ultimate experience in Aboriginal culture. Farid is very proud to present this unique experience to all international and local visitors, schools, and businesses; where people are invited to come and share Australian Aboriginal culture in a wonderful setting. Hours of operation: 7 days a week 9am to 5pm Location: World Heritage Plaza, 33-37 Echo Point Road, Katoomba Enquiries: 02 4782 1979 Website: www.waradahaboriginalcentre.com.au/ SCENIC WORLD Discover the thrill of a 52 degree incline riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway. A whole new visitor experience awaits, with glass-roofed red carriages offering expansive views of the rainforest setting and spectacular Jamison Valley. Custom designed carriages allow passengers to choose their own adventure like never before, adjusting their seated position up to 20 degrees! Choose an adventurous ‘Cliffhanger’ ride at a steep 64 degree incline, or for those seeking a relaxed journey select the ‘Laid Back’ option. Of course, loyal fans can still ride the ‘Original’ at 52 degrees. The Railway experience descends 310 metres through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging into ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor. Prices start from $35 per person Enquiries: (02) 4780 0200 Address: 1 Violet Street (off the Cliff Drive), Katoomba Website: www.scenicworld.com.au/ JENOLAN CAVES Open daily, award-winning Jenolan Caves are the world’s oldest caves, and are considered Australia’s most outstanding. Friendly guides will show you through your choice of 10 spectacular show caves, for all ages and fitness levels. Plus there are night tours, ghost tours, Adventure Caving, self-guided tour, bush walks, underground concerts, and kids tours (in NSW school holidays). There are family and seniors discounts, plus a wide range of food and accommodation - something for everyone! Location: Jenolan Caves – approx 1 hour from Katoomba Address: 4655 Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan Caves Enquires: 1300 76 33 11 Website: www.jenolancaves.org.au/ BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANTIC GARDEN, MOUNT TOMAH The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is located in the World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains on the summit of a basalt-capped peak, 1,000 metres above sea level. The 252 acre garden has a large collection of plants from around the world, particularly the southern hemisphere, and is the ‘cool climate garden’ of the Royal Botanic Gardens Trust. Location: Mount Tomah Visiting information Open 9am-5.30pm (9.30am weekends and public holidays) every day except Christmas Day. Entry is free No pets allowed in the Garden Enquiries 02 4567 3000 Address: Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah Directions: Follow Bells Line of Road from Richmond or Lithgow through the Blue Mountains. Mount Tomah is 40km west of Richmond - look out for the signs. There is no public transport to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. Website: www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au BLUE MOUNTAINS CULTURAL CENTRE The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre features the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery and World Heritage Exhibition which is devoted to education about the distinctive environment, history and culture of the Blue Mountains region. The Cultural Centre is co-located with the new Katoomba Library. The Cultural Centre showcases innovative, diverse, distinctive and creative cultural programs for enjoyment by residents of, and visitors to, the Blue Mountains. Built on the highest point in Katoomba with panoramic views of the World Heritage area, it links the main shopping precinct on Katoomba Street through enhanced pedestrian connections. Being the first publicly owned and managed, purpose designed facility of the arts to be constructed in the Blue Mountains, it is expected that the development will significantly contribute to the improvement of the economic health and cultural vitality of the Blue Mountains and the surrounding regions. Hours of operation Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday + Sunday – 10am – 4pm Public Holidays – 10am – 2pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day) Enquiries: 02 4780 5410 Address: Parke Street, Katoomba Website: www.bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au