Blue Mountains
 

Leaving on a grand tour of Australia in 10 days time, for 24 days. Domestic flights and car rental arranged, so not much further flexibility to reshuffle the itinerary.
Here is my question. I have arranged for three days in Sydney. Days 1 and 2 full, day 3 full, but with flight to Cairns at 19:30. I have not planned for the Blue Mountains. Should I sacrifice one of the three days in Sydney for a day trip to the Blue Mountains, or not. Opinions very much appreciated. Thks.

Having been to Sydney and the Blue mountains, I think your decision will be based upon what you plan to see and do in Sydney. If you can spare a day then Blue Mountains is well worth visiting, however it may be worth a weather check just before you go as poor visibility would truly spoil the fabulous views.

Good Luck

Muck

Hello Cram:

It has been several years since we visited Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

We thouroughly enjoyed both.

Sydney is a young person's town with lots of action. We took a day trip to the Blue Mountains and enjoyed the stops along the way as well as the views there.

The choice you seek really depends on what your interests are. We booked our day trip on the spot so I expect that you can do the same and decide at the last minute when you will have a better idea of what will make you happy.

In any case, both are great and you will not go wrong with either choice.

Have a good one.

Woodie

It's a simple decision really. If you like hiking and nature and shopping for antiques, then spend some time going to the Blue Mountains.

If you don't, then don't.

The Blue Mountains is all about nature walks and quaint, small-town pursuits.

In my opinion, if you've been to places like Yosemite, or the Napa Valley (minus the wine) then you've seen better than the Blue Mountains.

However, if you are a big fan of that sort of thing, then you might want to go.

If you were lukewarm so far about the B.M. (pretty but not heartstoppingly beautiful) - check out this website www.jenolancaves.org.au/
and see if you can fit that in. If you rent a car for the day, it's a bit of a drive from Katoomba, but that would put the cherry on top - those caves and their contents are awesome!

You could take a train from Sydney in the morning to Katoomba, and take the bus that leaves at 10:30 from near the station, operated by Fantastic Aussie Tours (02) 4782-1866.

Or take the coach all the way from Sydney, A.A.T. Kings departs Circular Quay, Sydney at 8.45am daily for one and two day trips to the caves. A.A.T. Kings can be contacted on (02) 97000133 or visit their web site http://www.world.net/Travel/Australia/aatkings/.

Seems to me that nobody's thought beyond the original question. The Blue Mountains are well worth a visit if you want scenery that will make you gape if you have never seen anything like it before. Also well worth it if you want to walk - some paths are like Piccadilly Circus but others you can spend 4 hours and see only half a dozen people. And I am not talking serious bushwalking - marked paths - car park, cafe at start.

But the real point is - where else are you going in Australia? The BM are an example (a pretty spectacular, if touristy one) of an eroded RED landscape. The operative word is RED, and seen from high up is what makes it different. But if you will be visiting places like Kalbarri, or the West Macs, or Carnarvon Gorge - then you will have other, slighly different opportunities.

If the BM are your only chance to get out and away from city/resort life - then go for it.

If I may respond to benderbabe - Yosemite is special but quite, quite different, and the napa valley rates less than 1 on a 1-10 scale.

You colourblind Fuzzy?...hawkesbury sandstones are yellow and the eucalypts that drab grey green colour.

Definitely include the Blue Mountains tour and go caveing! It is definitely worth it and very doable with your schedule. Sidney for two full days is enough to enjoy and experience all the highlights plus. Be sure to take the Harbor Tour! It is an amazing place----64 beaches in one harbor---even 2 nude! Sidney waterfront is lovely. Enjoy!

Colorblind Fuzzylogic postulates "Seems to me that nobody's thought beyond the original question."

Well, glad someone finally did! Bravo!

Your praise of the BM must be subjective and as such is off limits, but there are alternatives that rank just as high with many people, i.e.:

The ferry rides from Palm Beach (northern tip of the northern beaches of Sydney) on the Hawkesbury and Pittwater to Patonga and such - see www.sydneysceniccruises.com, or

doing the harbour bridge climb - www.bridgeclimb.com - or

a leisurely trip to Cessnock and the Hunter Valley with a stop at a winery here and there - see www.winecountry.com.au/ - and

an evening swim and dinner near Wyong on the way back to Sydney - http://www.wyong.com/

There's lots more - keep your options open.