In the South Eastern region of New South Wales in Australia, is a mountain range known as the Blue Mountains. Much of this range has been declared a World Heritage Site and is composed of a conservation nature reserve together with seven national parks. The predominantly sandstone plateau is dissected by deep gorges, some as much as 760 meters deep.
the Blue Mountains are a popular day trip or weekend away from Sydney. There are a number of small town in the mountains the main ones being Katoomba and Lerua. There is an abundance of holiday rentals Blue Mountains in the area.
The Gudungurra people had lived in the area for a few millenia, being its first inhabitants. Traces abound, of these original human settlers, as can be seen in the Red Hands Cave near the settlement of Glenbrook, where stencils of the hands of adults and children adorn the cave walls. In another site at Wentworth Falls, grooves in the rocks, thought to be the result of the grinding and sharpening of rudimentary tools, were discovered. Animal tracks carved into the stone and a cave with distinct traces of human occupation were uncovered at the Kings Tableland Aboriginal Site and it has been estimated they were 22,000 years old.
The area was originally known as the Carmarthen and Lansdowne Hills, named by Arthur Phillip, governor of New South Wales, after Europeans had settled in and around Sydney in 1788. However, the locals preferred Blue Mountains due to the blue haze around the mountains when viewed from afar.
The area has a variable climate which depends on the altitude. Katoomba at 1,010 metres, experiences daytime temperatures in summer ranging from 20 through to 30 degrees Celsius. Night time temperatures seldom drop below 12 degrees. Temperatures of -3 degrees at night in winter will rise to a daytime high of between 12 and 13 degrees Celsius. Snowfalls can be expected on two or three occasions each year higher up, but not lower down where it is warmer. An annual rainfall figure of 1,050 mm is the norm and numerous misty days can be expected.
The primary indigenous vegetation at the higher altitudes are Eucalyptus trees. On the edges of the plateaus above the cliffs, more varieties of heath vegetation are prevalent. Deep gorges provide shelter for the temperate rainforest flora. Hanging swamp ground supports reeds of button grass that grow in deep, black, thick soil.
The area boasts a privately owned tourist attraction, the Katoomba Scenic World featuring the Katoomba Scenic Railway and the Katoomba Scenic Skyway which are situated just South of the town of Katoomba. A shop, a theatre and a revolving restaurant complete the range of available local amenities. The railway is reported to be the steepest cable powered railway in the world being inclined at 52 degrees over 415 meters long.
The Three Sisters, a rock formation that has become famous, are also close to Katoomba and tower over the Jamison Valley. An often repeated legend tells the tale of three women who loved three men from a different tribe. They were forbidden to marry however, and a battle took place during which an elder turned the women to stone to protect them. The elder was killed in the battle and there was no one who could change them back. The legend is believed to have been circulated by a colourful local character to create interest in the landmark.
A walking trail beginning at Echo Point, goes past the Three Sisters and down the Giant Staircase of 800 steel and stone steps to the valley floor. Any visitor to the Blue Mountains who does not want to make the climb back up the stairs, may ride the train back for a small charge.