Sydney is a city that offers you so many things to do, places to see, beaches for enjoying relaxing moments, sipping a drink or surfing. And I’m pretty sure you already know that.
What you may not know, is that if there’s somethin that really deserves your time in Sydney is an excursion to the Blue Mountains.
About 200 kilometers away from the city, you can reach them by car, train or bus. It’s one of the most extraordinary Australian natural parks.
I’m not able to describe the emotion that I felt in front of a such natural show.
But let’s talk about practical. At the beginnig – after some researches on the web – I knew something for sure: visiting the Blue Mountains would have been expensive. Very expensive.
But my traveler soul – that always wins on the “tourist” one – did not want to give up. So, going deeper in my researches, I was able to arrange my visit to the Blue Mountains in a perfectly low cost way.
How? By following three simple tips.
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To avoid organized tours
The temptation can be very strong – it happened to me too: everything is prepared, you just have to get on and off the bus, enjoy the views and the tour guide’s explanations. But, In addition to switch off the enthusiasm, this comfortable option has a cost. Ranging from 90 Until 200 Australian Dollars.
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To use the Opal Card
If you leave from Sidney, you already own an Opal Card for sure. You need it for moving through the city by public transport. Unless you choose to hire a car – a cheap choice too, if you travel with other people – I suggest you to reach the Blue Mountains by train.
From Sydney Central Station, every hour a train to Katoomba leaves (you can consult the train schedule on the NSW transport website). The trip lasts 2 hours, and – with the Opal Card – it costs 2.50 Australian Dollars. It’s the same for coming back to the city. It’s a big saving, isn’t it? 🙂
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Do not demand too much
From yourself, I mean. The Blue Mountains cover an area of over 11,000 km²: to explore them entirely – as well as being almost superhuman – it takes time and a great effort, and it has a cost.
You should plan to visit the main places, which must not be necessarily the most touristic ones. Take some time to do some researches and create a custom-made itinerary depending on your preferences. I guarantee that a day is enough to enjoy the Blue Mountains’ beauty.
I recommend you to don’t miss:
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The Wentworth Falls
You must leave the train two stops before Katoomba (the stop is called Wentworth Falls) and, passing through the village, you will arrive at the edge of the park. There a series of walking routes through rainforest’s areas and stunning waterfalls begins. It’s extraordinary.
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The Three Sisters
It probably is the main attraction of the Blue Mountains, you can understand why only being there. From the Echo Point there’s an amazing view on the forest, and it’s exactly there that you will fully understand why the Blue Mountains own that name. They are entirely covered by an intense blue glaze, hard to imagine before seeing it with your own eyes, and almost impossible to capture in a picture. It’s amazing. On the side of thid landscape, main characters of this nature’s show, the Three Sisters, three big rocks, related to many legends; each one has got its own name: Meehni, 922 meters high, Wimlah (918 meters) and Gunnedoo (906 meters).
Visiting the Blue Mountains is a gift to yourself. Besides spending a nice day away from the busy city, this place is really able to give you a bit of magic, leaving your mind with images of a pure, sovereign and incredibly unique nature.
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