The Blue Mountains

Since the weather was not cooperating for getting down to Sydney from Pittwater and we had a good deal on the mooring at Lovett Bay Boatshed we decided to take a train trip out to the Blue Mountains for New Years. Sharing New Years with 1 million other revelers in Sydney Harbour just seemed a bit too claustrophobic. We took the train to Katoomba, an easy few hours. Katoomba is in NW part of New South Wales. It is an old coal mining area that is now park land and tourist stops. They say the area is known as the Blue Mountains because when you look at it from a distance there is a blue haze. They tell the tourists that the blue haze is due to all the gum tress (eucalyptus) spouting oil mist into the air. I’m not sure I’m buying that one.

Except for being a little greener the landscape could be the US south west, lots of carved red sandstone.

We stayed at the Mountain Heritage Hotel in Katoomba. With its classic dining room and staff it could have easily been Faulty Towers, complete with John Cleese.

Strange smoking laws in NSW. This sign is on the entry to a nice outdoor cafe.

We took a gondola ride over the canyon canopy after carefully checking out the maintenance of the machinery.

It gives you a good view of the Three Sisters

A little closer view of the sisters. Not really all that impressive compared all the rest of the flora and fauna around.

We also took the rebuilt old coal train tracks up the side of the mountain. The tracks are way steep at a 52% incline.

This one is for Quinn. Gamma scaring the dinosaurs away.

We splurged for a fancy, and delicious, dinner at the Palette in Katoomba, including some complicated gin drinks.

We rode the train and then bus to get back up to Pittwater. Gotta love a bus that has a dedicated seating area for surfboards.
Paul