Sydney, Australia - The Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves and Historic Towns

The Blue Mountains is a misnomer, in a way. The mountains themselves are not really blue, but the blue haze that blankets the mountains and comes from huge stands of eucalyptus forest (prime koala habitat) is blue. The oils in the gum trees disperse into the air and light is refracted through the oils, producing a distinctly blue haze. The blue haze is truly beautiful during sunsets (I have heard it is beautiful at sunrise, but I am not a morning person!). Gaze at the magnificent Three Sisters, weathered and worn sandstone pillars, from Echo Point Lookout. Stroll the Giant's Stairway down into the valley on a rather steep (but safe) 917-step trail, with well-dispersed rest stops and lookouts along the way. Take your time and be sure to stay on the trail.

Across from Echo Point Lookout, take a ride on the Scenic Skyway, a gondola car that travels high above the valley on a cable! Don't worry, hardly anybody dies a gruesome death on this ride. (I am kidding, the rides are said to be extremely safe, and personally, I loved both! I would recommend taking the train, the steepest in Australia, called the Scenic Railway to the bottom of the cliff and taking the cable car tram, the SceniScender, back up over the forest and valley. Enjoy the easy stroll along the boardwalk, where you may see native wildlife, and will certainly see the 'real bush'. This walk is perfect if you don't want to walk the sometimes arduous trail down into the canyon but still want to experience being down in the canyon. The boardwalk gives the visitor a glimpse into the past, through the 20-minute roundtrip stroll through temperate rainforest, artifacts and old coalmine areas.

After lunch, head over to Jenolan Caves, a quick trip from Katoomba through gorgeous scenery. Used for centuries by Aborigines, the Jenolan Caved were not 'discovered' by any Europeans until 1838, when a settler tracked a bushranger (robber) to his hideout, deep inside Jenolan Caves. Visitors can explore the archway caves on their own, but guided tours of the deeper caves, called dark caves although they are well lit and have safe paths through. Be sure to spend some time quietly walking in the surrounding wildlife sanctuary, where you will see native kookaburras, wallabies, cockatoos, and the brilliantly plumed rosella (red) parrot, among other wildlife.

On your way back to Sydney, stop and spend a little time exploring the three historic towns of Windsor, Richmond, and Parramatta. For me, my favorite of the three is Parramatta, but each has its own unique charm. Parramatta was the site of the 2000 Olympics, and still maintains its country historic charm and grandeur. When Parramatta was first settled, in 1788, most of the sparse population in the only other developed town, Sydney, felt that it was far too far out in the wilderness. Yes, 15 miles, was considered far! Today, Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, accessible in minutes from nearly anywhere in the 'big city'! Parramatta has many historic buildings to visit and explore, as well as tourist facilities, dining and lodging. One site that I would not miss in Parramatta is the Old Government House! Built in 1799, it was the grand country residence of the first governor of Australia. Another is the Georgian Experiment Farm Cottage, built in 1798, and the site of Sydney's very first wheat farm. Convict laborers built much of the farm, and designed intricate, patterned brick courtyards on the grounds.

The Blue Mountains is one of the favorite holiday spots for Sydney residents, and part of the reason is the adventurous activities in and around Katoomba. It can be a long day trip, or for those who want a more leisurely pace, stay at one of the comfortable lodgings dotted throughout the region, and spend a few more days exploring further afield, to the 'Golden West', New South Wales' Gold Rush region.