Blue Mountains- A spot of Bushwalking 2nd-3rd Jan

The Blue Mountains- canyons really- are part of the Great dividing range - a string of mountains running all the way down the East side of Australia, getting closer to the coast the further North travelled. When Sydney was first settled the explorers simply couldn't find their way over this barrier to get West, as they kept meeting vertical rock faces, finally they followed ridges and made it to the top of the plateau where towns like Katoomba are settled now. Railways opened this area up to tourism in the early 20th Centuary and that was the time when many of the paths and steps were dug into the cliff faces.



There's something wonderful about the smell of gum trees. I've taken the train to Wentworth falls at the suggestion of the hostel owner and walk along a trail by a stream and down to the pretty waterfall. The wind's tossing water droplets about and the sun's making them sparkle, looking the other way there are great views across the Blue Mountains.

I have a lovely long walk and return exhausted to Katoomba. By late afternoon the bright blue sky is replaced with cloud and drizzle.

My legs take a bit more persuading the next day as I head to the edge of the cliffs at Katoomba and see the moutains shrouded in cloud, down into the valley then to walk through the woods to Leura Cascades and falls, by the time I'm starting to climb back up the cliffs the sun is shining and the views are back.

I catch the bus back today and have an early night!