Sandy

Hi - How long a trip from Sydney to get to the Blue Mountains and, more importantly, what exactly is there to see/do? Is it worth one day of a 3 1/2 day stay? Thanks.

Alan

Hi, Sandy!<BR>I think the Blue Mountains area is absolutely beautiful -- I have lived there for nigh on thirty years -- but if you have only 3 1/2 days, I don't know whether I would recommend it, as there's no way you can see anything worthwhile without setting aside a whole day. The best parts of the Mountains are two hours' train trip from Sydney, and when you get there you need to do quite a bit of walking (unless you take a coach tour, but that's NOT the way to "experience" the Blue Mountains), so you would have limited energy left to do anything exciting when you got back to Sydney at night. Finally, there are many foggy days at the top of the Mountains, and when the fog rolls in you can't see ANYTHING.... I bet there are dozens of people on this forum who shelled out big bucks to take a coach ride to Katoomba, had a quick look at white everywhere, and then spent the rest of the day in the inevitable "pit stops" so beloved of the coach operators. In short, why not just enjoy Sydney... there's a good three-and-a-half days' worth of ferry rides and walks right there.

Sandy

Alan - Thanks for this advice and all the rest you have given to me. We're going to stick to our original plan and stay in Sydney, except for taking the train to Featherdale early one morning. It really seems like our city, New York, where there is just no end of things to do and see. Thanks again.

Alan

Sandy, thanks for the kind words. Sydney is just beautiful, and you will love every day.... but, no, it's not like New York! I think one could probably spend six months in New York before really "knowing" the city, whereas in Sydney you'll do it in a week. But my bet is that it will be the contrast between Sydney and your home that you're going to love... which is the reason I (and so many Sydneysiders)love New York!

Melodie

Sandy,<BR><BR>I SO agree with Alan! Sydney is not like any other city (and they all have their charms and drawbacks). While I think Sydney and San Francisco have alot in common (Bridges, settlement development, wild and wooly dock history; great walking cities); I wouldn't classify them as being the same. Everytime I go I have different experiences and I just got back, having the most PERFECT day (by myself no less) with amazing experiences that just make me want to go again and again.<BR><BR>If you do go,as Alan said, don't take a coach tour (he pretty much described MY experience of the Blue Mountains the first time I went) Go for a smaller tour operator - there are ones where you'll have a guide and only 6-15 people on the tour instead of the 50 passenger motorcoach with those obigitory stops. <BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Aussie Specialist

paro

I am going to be there in December and having waded through plenty of books and brochures, and going through the forum, am completely undecided about how many days and where in the B. Mts. Leura sounds good, so does meaglong and then there is Wentworth Falls - I am thinking of doing 2 nites in that area - drive down from Sydney - and back but is that enuff or 2 much? And where all shd I stay? Oh, I forgot to mention Katoomba of course. Any ides? Pls. help.

Alan

Hi, Paro!<BR>The places you mentioned -- Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba -- are all within five minutes' drive of each other, so they are peas in a pod, really. It all boils down to how much you want to spend, and what kind of accommodation you prefer. There are still other nearby townships where you could stay, such as Blackheath and Medlow Bath. You problem, really, is that if you are coming in the last third of December, you are into school holidays, and many of the guest houses will be fully booked. If I were you, I would jump in and take whatever is available. In the first half of December, however, there will be so many vacancies that you wouldn't need to book at all... just drive up the highway and stop at whatever place takes your fancy.<BR>I really think that one night (and a couple of days) in the Katoomba area is enough to get a good "taste" of what the Mountains has to offer; if you have a second night, I would drive further west for about another hour-and-a-half and visit Jenolan Caves. There is a nice old guest house there called Caves House (adjoining it is a slightly cheaper annexe), and the caves really are worth seeing, especially if you can get there early (so you get a choice as soon as the ticket office opens)-- which wouldn't be a problem if you were staying overnight in, say, Blackheath. You could leave the Caves at breakfast after a pleasant night at Caves House and have most of a second day back in Katoomba before having to drive back to Sydney. On the way back, try to time yourself so that you reach Glenbrook, near the eastern foot of the Mountains, at around 5 p.m., so that you can detour to Euroka Clearing and see the kangaroos at sunset.... they are wild and unconfined, but unafraid of humans, so you can get really close. There are goannas and white sulphur-crested cockatoos around there, too.<BR>Have a great time!

shannon

I was very disappointed in Featherdale.<BR>I don't know that I would spend the time or money getting out there.<BR><BR>Are there any closer??<BR><BR>What other cities are you visiting?<BR><BR>The staff weren't as friendly. The set up was rather weird and the animals were in no particular order. They would have a cage for wombats in one place then several other animals and then you would stumble upon another group of wombats.<BR><BR>They are doing construction at the main overlook for Katoomba where they take you to view the 3 Sisters.--supposed to be ready in a few months however. <BR><BR>It would have probably been a prettier drive if the drought wasn't soo bad up there. However, seeing all the burned areas of the mtns was definitely an interesting thing and how the trees recover so quickly. We also saw roo's in the wild...did a 15 person 4wd tour. I would recommend that over the large tour buses.