The Blue Mountains

From various parts of Sydney can be seen a long range of Blue coloured mountains. The Australians are good at appropriate naming.

Once on the Western Motorway it is an easy drive. The motorway become a highway at the mountains and links the commercial city with the political city of Canberra. The Australians have come up with a brilliant idea of isolating its politicians in a separate state in the middle of nowhere.

The highway does not so much cut through the mountains, but climbs over them. It is strangely populated all along the highway in a ribbon development. Generally the townships run alongside, but occasionally make incursions into the mountains. A main railway line runs alongside. The highway is pretty much the main road of the townships and traffic is slowed down accordingly. In other places there are motorway style cut thoughs and these are increasing. Judging by the style of homes I would say people have lived in the area for some time. This is true of Katoomba which became our destination.

The Three Sisters

We turned off the highway into Katoomba town expecting to see (judging from the guide book) instant tourism. We found an alley way cafe. Not like the modern city ones. It it had that old style cafe aroma and atmosphere. Here we had our morning coffee. After this we drove down to Echo Point. Here was the business. A huge viewing platform, a more modern restuarant and a visitors centre with strangely little parking. The main feature here was an expansive view of the mountains with towering cliffs and three tall pillars called the Three Sisters. We took one of the shorter roots to walk alongside the valley wall. The notable feature being a single pillar called Orphan Rock. I was very surprised that it was not called 'The Stand on its Own Rock'. Clever Australians.

Explorers

Orphan Rock

Using instructions from the information centre we made our way to view the falls. To get there meant a short drive. You look out for the caravan park. Opposite is a semi derelict kiosk. On the left is a path. Across the picnic area is an incongrous sign. We made it to the falls.

Katoomba Falls

On the way back we came across a bunch of Aussies also trying to find their way. After being helpful I told them that if they did not return that I would inform the News of the World who would give them $200,000. The reply was 'wait nine days.'

Looking at the map made us decide to stop at Leura Cascades on the way back. We followed the creek down hill as it cascaded over rocks and then it entered a cavern where it was at it best and then out into sunlight where the water simply fell over the cliff wall.

Leura Cascades

We had lunch in Leura, at a bakery, before setting off back home.

That was another blue sky day. The clouds are only just breaking up this morning. Seeing clouds is a strange phenomenon even in the mountains.

By the way, the whales turned up at Barren Joey Head; not on Monday, but on Tuesday. I repeat - not on Monday, but on Tuesday.