Spedprof

Folks,

My wife and I are visiting my some who wll be studying in Sydney. We will be there is mid february. We are about 60 yrs. old and in good shape. We will have about 6 days in Australia.

My tentative plans are to stay in Sydney and take either a 1 or 2 day trip. GBR seems less inviting as we are not water folks and the weather appears risky or just too humid. We are thinking of a trip to the Blue Mountains instead.

Your recommendations on our thinking, other suggestions are appreciated. Also, your thoughts on a tour, train, 4WD, car, or other to best get to and see Blue Mountain area.

Thanks

lizF

I always prefer the train to the Blue Mountains, particularly if you have bought a /bus/train pass because most of it is included in that - if not all. I would wait until you are in Sydney to book anything because you will see what the weather is like first and go on that. If it is wonderful then perhaps you may wish to book accommodation in the Blue Mountains and stay there overnight and go to the caves as well. Another lovely day out is playing postman on the Hawkesbury River which is just an hour north of Sydney. You go in the Postal boat and pull into all the areas dropping off mail. The Hawkesbury River is a beautiful river and the scenery is lovely. Makes for a wonderful day out. Another idea would be to take the train from Sydney to Canberra and spend a couple of days there. There is a lot to see and do and it is certainly a destination that is overlooked far too often.

Spedprof

With our limited time, should we try to do two day trips from Sydney to different places or an overnight in the Blue Mountains? We live on the beach, not far from New York City so traveling to beaches is not on the top of our list. However, we feel we should see the unique Australian wildlife (I can easily see African lions at the Bronx zoo) and outdoor sights. Should we do one day in the Blue Mountains and another at another outdoor site?

It seems that the day trips from Sydney to the Blue Mountains appear to go to many places in the few short hours and I wonder if that is satisfying? I feel we must get to the usual places plus Eureka Clearing and Featherdale. To do it ourselves without a guide seems a bit daunting so I'm leaning towards deciding on a tour group or two and then book when we are there, depending on the weather. Also, I'd hate to waste time in Sydney deciding which tour group.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Tassietwister

The Blue Mountains are really a tableland with the main road and train line creeping up to the top. If you catch the train you can transfer to a shuttle bus or trolley that does a hop on, hop off loop all day.

Both the shuttle bus and day trips will visit areas of the national park that interface with the townships so you are not getting right into the park itself.

It is a vast park and the most rewarding way to see it is by walking or canyoning, both need physical fitness. The walks always end up with a steep ascent at the end of the day unless you finish the walk at the base of the incline railways (an old mining railway, now a tourist attraction).

If I personally was going to selcct a 4wd tour I would choose to go to Kanangra Walls.

When living in Sydney I never ever went for a day trip to the Blue Mountains, always a overnighter. If you do choose to do a day trip then the bus tour or train trip would be you only option.

Very pleasant experience but really not getting into the park itself.

johhj_au

You seem an intelligent traveller who could esily handle an overnight,do it yourself mountains trip with a focus on local flora and fauna.

get away early on day 1
get an air conditioned car from bayswater car rentals
get to euroka before the tourist vans
have lunch in leura
do the walk down into the valley at the three sisters and use the incline railway to come back
stay at the eco lodge at Blackheath where there are lots local birds around
go to govetts leap and the national park hq at blackheath
visit mt wilson which was/is a sort of hill town for sydney's well off.
do featherdale on the way back.

SnRSeattle

While in Sydney, go to the Taronga Zoo, lots of nice Australian animals and view is world-class. Also, go to Manly Beach via the ferry and walk around. Plan to come back to the city at sunset. You'll never forget it. The aquarium is outstanding, go late in the day or early evening and you'll miss the crowds. Sharks, turtles and rays swim overhead. It's great. Do the walk out to Mrs. Mc Somebody's chair, look at a map, find the Opera House at the top of the map and go right. Great views and a nice walk. The art museum and the natural history museums are worth going to. I recommend driving to the Blue Mountains, it's no where near as crowded as New York and once you remember to "stay left" and find your turn signal (no, it's NOT the windshield wipers!!) you'll be set. Then you can stay at Jenolan Caves which is an early 20th century lodge, view the caves and take a day hike to Kanangra Walls. Then you'll feel like you are in Australia. Have fun!
Sally in Seattle

johhj_au

Just read an article in the SMH on the eco lodge at Blackheath...

www.jembyrinjahlodge.com.au