The Blue Mountains is a difficult question.

I have taken 2 people from overseas and one was blown away the other was yawning!

The Blue Mountains have long been a popular weekend getaway for Sydneysiders. Having a massive world heritage national park on the edge of a major city is fabulous to get away from it all with only a few hours journey.

But it is hard to compare the weekend getaway experience to the impact the place would have on international visitors on a day trip. They are not mountains at all, rather a plateau with some great bluffs, canyons etc.

It's 1 million hectares are world heritage listed due to it's unique vegetation adapted to a very old landscape. Some plants for example have evolved to survive just on one tiny patch of land. Also about ten years ago they discovered a living fossil, the Wollemi Pine, such is the vastness of the area they are still discovering plants!

Most of the park is not accessible unless you are a avid bushwalker so tourists generally stick to lookouts etc where they have sealed road access. This amounts to such a miniscule part of the park itself.

Still I enjoy going on the scenic railway even though I have long outgrown childhood!

They do have some great footage of the park itself at the Imax cinema at Katoomba but unless you have time to do a walk down to the valley floor where you can see sections of rainforest, waterfalls etc you don't really get the full impact of it's beauty. Though some views from the plateau are outstanding.

A typical weekend for us for example would include a bushwalk, a hot chocolate at The Hydro Majestic, some antique hunting, a nice meal and a show at The Clarendon.

Hope this gives a picture of the area and help you decide whether it is of interest.

I have no idea but it maybe possible to fly over some of this type of landscape on your way to the Hunter Valley. Check with your company.

Tassietwister has described the situation well. I used to live in the Blue Mountains, and while the vastness of the views from Echo Point and the cliff walks are truly impressive I'm hesitant to call the area a must-see for a visitor with such a packed itinerary.

The blue colour is caused by vapours given off by the ubiquitous eucalypts. Personally, I prefer the story told to Mark Twain by a fellow train passenger on the way to Katoomba - that the "mountains" were formed entirely by countless aeons of decomposing kangaroo droppings, the resulting gases producing the blue appearance. This confirmed Twain's long-held opinion that it's a mistake for travellers to rely on locals for useful information.

It's interesting to watch the vegetation change as you descend into the valleys and gullies of the BM. The soil on the ridgetops is generally poor and dry (which accounts for the fact that the drive to Katoomba isn't teribly exciting) but by the time you get to the bottom you're into rainforest conditions, with massive tree ferns in profusion.

ummmmmm Kangaroo droppings ah !!!!
Maybe we should stick to the original plan. Only kidding of course.
Thank you both once again.
We are getting close with this.
I will post the new and final
(I hope) itinerary in the next few days.

54fun,
Can you share the name of the company you are using that you mentioned in your comments?

GREAT choice with the Solway Lass for your holiday in the Whitsundays!!!! :)

I went on the Solway Lass... And when I was there a family of 4 was on the boat, some backpackers - including me, as well as some older people. It was a nice mix! The boat itself is awesome... Old (but renovated)... Has history... And the jumping rope is great! Lots of fun for everyone. The crew is also fantastic. I love sitting and looking at the beautiful scenery as we sailed away in the Whitsundays. Food was also great.

I wish I could go on a second trip...!

54fun
I am blown away by your trip plan. I can't believe it, half your luck. Be sure to do some fishing whilst up north - Cape York it's the best.
Cheers

Weddinginitaly, Daintree Air Services from Cairns have planned the entire tour for us. You can locate them on www.daintreeair.com.au

The people there have been very generous with their time. Their patience must be wearing thin as we have changed the itinerary substantially several times since we first started talking with them.

They have tailored the tour specifically for our family.

Molly, did you visit Karumba on your travels to Cape York. We under stand the sunsets are beautiful and the fresh fish is the best in the country.

This is how things look at this point although we have not confirmed as yet.

Day 1. Sydney Zoo, Harbor Cruise and dinner at wild fire on the wharf.

Day 2. Visit Olympic venue, the tower restaurant for brunch and the remainder of the day visiting Manly by small ferry. Dinner on the harbor with Captain Cook cruises.

Day 3. Our guide drives us to Katoomba for a couple of hours viewing three sisters and riding on valley train. Over night at Jenolan Caves.

Day 4. Half a day visiting caves, and then drive to Kanagra walls for a couple of hours hiking. Over night in a farm stay 30 minutes from the walls.

Day 5. Drive to Bathurst to pick up flight to Birdsville for lunch. From Birdsville we fly direct to Ayres Rock arriving just on sun set to view the rock.

Day 6. Early morning breakfast at the rock then fly to Kings Canyon.
Over night Kings Canyon and make a visit to the Olgas.

Day 7. Fly to Kakadu, stay two nights at the Croc Hotel, visit the natural sites like Yellow river, Nouralangie rock .

Day 8. Kakadu. Jim falls, and Twin falls.

Day 9. Fly to Katherine to spend a half day in the gorges in Kayaks seeing Aboriginal Rock art swimming etc. Depart Katherine at 3 in the afternoon for the bungles.
Over night Bungle Bungle bush camp, camp fire, night walk etc.

Day 10. Spend half at the Bungles, then fly to Mount Augustus, arrive in time to wash up and view the monolith at sun set. Bar.B.Q tonight on the cattle station. Apparently the station is just about the same size as England.

Day 11. Hike around Mount Augustus, visit remote Aboriginal community.

Day 12. Fly to Exmouth. Most of the day free to rest or explore.

Day 13. Spend the day swimming with whale sharks.

Day 14. Drift snorkel with Mantas and Turtles over Ningaloo reef.

Day 15. Fly to Mitchell Plateau where we are picked up by helicopter to take us to the bottom of the cliffs for an over night in a coastal bush camp viewing Bradshaw art work.
Catch our own fish and cook them in the open. Can’t wait for that one.

Day 16. Fly to Kalumbaru low level along the North West Australian Coast.
Spend the day with the Aboriginal people fishing in the Timor sea. Over night Kalumbaru.

Day 17. Fly to Arnhemland, arriving in time for lunch with local aboriginal people.

Day 18. Safari by sea and estuary , Arnhemland.

Day 19. Fly to Adels Grove. Over night in bush camp.

Day 20. Canoe through gorges then fly to Karumba late afternoon for a seafood dinner over looking the gulf of Carpentaria. Over night Karumba.

Day 21. Fly to Howlong station for a half day tour of the station and gorge then onto to Lizard Island arriving early afternoon. Over night Lizard Island.

Day 22. All day Lizard Island snorkel the Clam Garden explore the Blue Lagoon.

Day 23. Fly to Cape Tribulation at around lunch time to over night in a private lodge high in the rainforest conducting a night walk through the rainforest.

Day 24. Fly to Hamilton Island arriving at 0900 hrs to join a three day sailing adventure through the Whitsunday Islands.

Day 25. Sailing the Whitsundays.

Day 26. The whitsundays.

Day 27. Return to Sydney for connecting flight.

54fun

My time spent in the Cape was on the east coast so we didn't get to Karumba. The fishing anywhere up north is great. We took a fishing charter just off the tip (cape york tip that is) and as quick as we threw in the line HUGE Golden Spotted Trevally were jumping on. We were catching so many in the end we were kissing and realising. The ones we kept we took back to camp. We popped them on the barbie sat back had a view beers and ate the best fish i have ever eaten in the world.

I see you've decided to do the Blue Mountains, followed by the caves and Kangara Walls - all very nice, but I am not sure if the Blue Mountains will impress - it depends where you come from I guess.

Well happy travels - wish we could join you it sounds fantasic.

Molly the fishing sounds fantastic.
Cooking our own on the beach.
That's very cool.

Could you please be a little more informative on the Blue Mountain’s?
We have been told not to rush with final details as we have lots of time before arriving.
Would you stay with the initial itinerary which included Byron Bay rather than the Blue Mountains.
Thanks so much.

54fun

I think tassietwister has described the blue mountains well. Don't get me wrong I love the blue mountains myself it's a great weekend get away. I had a friend from New Zealand visit the Blue Mountains and she was not impressed because New Zealand has huge mountains - on the otherhand I had friends from the UK who just loved it.

In my opinion I think your time would be better spent in the blue mountains, caves and kangarra over the hunter valley and Byron Bay.

I hope this helps :)

Molly, What did you think of the Jenolan Caves and surrounds. It seems as though no one is really excited about either Byron or the Blue Mountains. Our charter company has also suggested we could meet them in Adelaide in place of Sydney and do Kangaroo Island, the Vine –Yards and then onto Coober Pedy and Ayres Rock therefore by passing the Blue Mountains and or Byron. Where would you prefer to take your New Zealand and English friends Molly.
Sorry to put you on the spot.
Thanks again to all of you.

54fun

I asked an American what he would compare the Blue Mountains to in America and he said the Ozarks. Not sure if you are American but may give you a sort of idea.

If you were just going to see the Three Sisters I would say forget it but by continuing on to Jenolan Caves and Kanagra Walls I think it may turn into a great journey. Please ask your guide to stop by some old hotels for a coffee or a peep to see some of our older architecture, including Hydro Majestic, the Carrington and one at Mt Victoria.

Also not sure of the ages of your family but if it inlcudes kids maybe a stop at the lolly shop at Leura. This is the only shop where I have even seen American brand candy on sale here. Please also try bullets as our Americans friends seem to love these. Small pellets of licorice coated in chocolate.

If you have time, see the short movie at Katoomba Imax theatre that shows where the Wollemi Pine was found.

I say stick to it, it will balance out a bit with the rest of your trip.

Going to Adelaide will really add to your mileage though if keen to visit a wine area I would recommend it over the Hunter Valley.

btw Still jealous of your trip.

You really are putting me on the spot :) I think stick to Sydney and the Blue Mountains combined with the Jenolan Caves and Kangara Walls. If you like nature and the outdoors you will really enjoy it. Jenolan Caves are something really different and the accommodation is really nice (I am assuming you are staying at Caves House). The weather will be coolish and a dinner by the huge open fire place would be a treat. I don't think you will be disappointed.
I hope that assists you. Cheers