"In the Valleys" Top 5 Page for this destination Blue Mountains National Park by iandsmith

Blue Mountains National Park Travel Guide: 360 reviews and 1,128 photos

On a clear day......... - Blue Mountains National Park

An Aussie icon

In the tourist brochures and everywhere you see literature, the Three Sisters are what you get, along with the Skyway and the Scenic Railway (recommended), the latter happening to be the steepest in the world at 52 degrees of incline and a bit of a thrill. However, they generally miss the point of this wonderland. The point being nature. Until you put on your walking shoes and descend into the canyons, don't go back home and say "We saw the Blue Mountains" because you'll have no idea what they're really about. Down in the valleys with the cliffs towering above you, the splashing of the dripping water, the wonderful forest plants and lyrebirds singing all around you; it's a different world, so at odds with those peering down from above. It's the whole reason the area was declared a national park in the first place.
This place pictured is called, understandably, Narrowneck, and on the side you can't see here, there is a stairway called the Golden Staircase that leads to at least three good day walks.
I hope with some of my pictures to give you some insight, particularly in the travelogue - please enjoy.

The sunrises

Wentworth Falls reward

Photography is generally best practised one hour before to one hour after sunrise and the same for sunsets.
My personal opinion re the Blue Mountains is that the mornings can be spectacular more often than the afternoons. They reward the early riser.
On my first morning on a long weekend in 2005 I just managed to get out of bed in time and race down the road to eventually find a place where I could score this one in the back blocks of Wentworth Falls.
However, they also, in other parts, get the rising mist out of the canyons, one of nature's most wonderful spectacles. You can see that in my pages.

The far side

Wonderful cliffs en route to Glen Davis

The Blue Mountains has other faces, those rarely seen by international tourists or most Australians. It is spectacular and has more to offer those interested in nature than the more popular areas.
Kanangra Walls, Dunns Swamp, Newnes and Glen Davis are but four of the places worthy of your time, the latter two have a fascinating history of shale mining that add value to the trip, Glen Davis in particular.
I have pages on those two locations in their own right.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy to get to, worthwhile when you do, range of scenery
Cons:Involves walking if you really want to understand
In a nutshell:Put it on your "must see" list of Australia

Last visit to Blue Mountains National Park: Feb 2012
Intro Updated Feb 18, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (87)

Brabourne garden - Blue Mountains National Park

More Leura Gardens festival Favorites (14)

Seemed a shame to waste all my pictures so I thought I'd throw in a few more, mainly because nobody reads... more travel advice

Rustling's Garden statue - Blue Mountains National Park

Leura Gardens Festival Favorites (14)

Every year, about the first week of October, Leura has a garden festival. Several locals open up their gardens to the... more travel advice

Bandicoot - Blue Mountains National Park

Sunset Rock Off The Beaten Path (29)

At the western end of Mount Victoria is a turnoff on the left into Grand View Rd. Near its end you'll come to Beaufort... more travel advice

Pulpit Rock view - Blue Mountains National Park

The Roenitz Pass experience continued Off The Beaten Path (29)

Having done the walk I can let you know a couple of things. I didn't include the fact that the walk is labelled "easy".... more travel advice

Things to Do (30)
See All Bird watching
Warnings and Dangers (1)
BE CAREFUL!!!
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Golf in the gully
Restaurants (4)
See All Atmosphere and Food

Hotels (4)
See All If you can afford it
What to Pack (1)
Shoes
Transportation (2)
See All Hop on a Harley
Been to Blue Mountains National Park?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (41)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Feb 19, 2012 at 1:04 PM

Hello Ian, I’ve just been looking through your travelogues and Things to Do tips on the Blue Mountains National Park. Great photos, with stunning juxtapositions of long distance scenic shots and then close-ups of flowers and details in the woods.
Reply
- Report abuse
globetrott Oct 5, 2011 at 6:02 PM

a lot of excellent pics and great infos, thanks a lot for sharing !
Reply
- Report abuse
glabah Jan 24, 2010 at 7:49 PM

We have Three Sisters here in Oregon too, as well as Blue Mountains. I've always heard about Australia's though.
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Oct 2, 2009 at 1:38 AM

what a beautiful place
Reply
- Report abuse
dancinbudgie Oct 13, 2008 at 3:18 PM

Am searching for ideas for my son who is hosting a young lady from London soon...this page is great! Really helpful!
Reply
- Report abuse
Jim_Eliason Jun 21, 2008 at 5:44 AM

Nice page!
Reply
- Report abuse
percy961 Nov 3, 2005 at 12:39 PM

Very good tips and photo's, we are due to visit in Jan 06 so found your pages very useful.
Reply
- Report abuse
KiKitC Sep 29, 2005 at 3:11 AM

Thank you for the wonderful pictures. You have just added another "place to see before I die." I'm sure the pictures really don't do the views justice.
Reply
- Report abuse
aussiejen Sep 25, 2005 at 4:26 PM

You have some stunning photos on here. It's years since I went to the Blue Mtns (and did the tourist thing!)
Reply
- Report abuse
shivan Aug 25, 2005 at 2:26 PM

will you believe if I tell you that next year I'm coming to australia?