The weather did not look good but we had to make the best of it. When you only have a day trip to the Blue Mountains National Park to see the Three Sisters, you press on. We did and were rewarded with an incredible view.
Blue Mountains National Park
Just 50 miles west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that spans over 600,000 acres. Sydneysiders come out here to get away for the weekend. There are lots of bushwalks (Australian for hiking) and the scenery includes deep valleys and interesting rock formations caused by erosion of the sandstone hills.
Three Sisters
The Three Sisters is the most famous rock formation in the Blue Mountains. Located high above the Jamison valley in Katoomba, this peculiar formation sits separated from the rest of the cliffs. Aboriginal legend holds that these rocks are three sisters that were turned to stone by their father to prevent them from marrying men from a neighboring tribe. The father was killed in battle and thus could not turn them back into women.
Scenic World
The easiest way to see the Three Sisters is to go to Scenic World. This tourist attraction includes a cable car and a railway that descend into the valley below. The railway is the steepest railway in the world at an incline of 52 degrees. You can even adjust your seat to make it 64 degrees. Once on the valley floor, you can explore the unusual flora and connect to Blue Mountains National Park bushwalks.
Scenic World also has a cable car known as the Skyway that crosses the valley. None of this is cheap, and you could easily spend a lot of money at Scenic World. It does have terrific views however.
If You Go
- Fly into Sydney and take the train up to Katoomba (2 hours, $20)
- Stay at the Carrington Hotel, less than a five minute walk from the train station
- Eat at Old City Bank Brasserie
- Visit Scenic World or do your own bushwalk