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The Edge Cinema
This wide sceen 3D movie theatre is located in Katoomba, and provides you with the vibrant activities and breath taking views of the Blue Mountains without having to leave your seat. Both educational and fun this screening shows without a doubt the reason why the Blue Mountains is one of the most popular destinations in the world. The Edge goes beyond the Three Sisters to explore the rainforest, valleys, rivers and gorges of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Scale vertical cliffs and swim through hidden limestone caves, deep in the heart of this unique Australian landscape. Screening every 50 minutes from 1000hours – 7 days a week.
Zigzag Railway
Zigzag Railway was used until 1910 as the means of transport through the Blue Mountains. At present it is used as a scenic railway that runs on weekends and school holidays and is a great way to have fun and enjoy the views at the same time, the zig zag railway is very popular with tourists, especially the kids. Located 10km east of Lithgow.
A historic tourist railway, utilizing steam trains and vintage diesel railmotors over a 7 1/2 km section of former main western railway line. The Zig Zag is a series of gently sloping ramps in the form of a letter ‘Z’ passing through 2 tunnels and over 3 magnificent sandstone viaducts.
Refreshments available at Clarence and there are picnic and barbecue rest
areas.
Open Daily, except Christmas day.
Timetable:
Steam trains or rail-motors depart Clarence Station at
11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
The round trip takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
Open Time:
11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm every day. Steam train on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays Vintage Railmotor service runs on all other days
Jenolan Caves
The amazing limestone and crystal formations of Jenolan (Je-NO-lan) Caves, on Jenolan Caves Rd, 45km south of the Great Western Hwy from Hartley, have beguiled visitors since they were first introduced to the general public in 1838. One can reach the caves by bus from Katoomba. The cave system contains nine open caves, accessible through the trust’s extensive program of guided tours, and many more unexplored recesses. Because it displays a broad range of the features seen throughout the caves, Lucas Cave is generally presented as the place to start. Large group sizes detract from the experience, however. Orient Cave and Imperial Cave both have a more tolerable flow of visitors as well as several noteworthy rock formations. The minimum age for adventure tours is generally 16, although age 10 and up can adventure in Elder Cave. Two caves, Orient Cave and Chifley Cave, are partially wheelchair accessible.
Megalong Valley
Megalong is an Aboriginal word thought to mean ‘Valley Under The Rock’. The first record of a European coming to the valley was of Thomas Jones, a natural history specimen collector, who followed the course of Cox’s River from Burragorang to Hartley in 1818. The first land was taken up in 1838, those settlers travelling from Burragorang and Camden.
The best bushwalking in the Megalong is the historic ‘Six Foot Track’. One of the few places where you can see what the gorges of the Blue Mountains look like from your own two feet, with many magical Rainforest walks, and strolls through orchards and old timber homesteads. However if you would prefer to sit back and enjoy the breath taking views, take a stroll on four legs, enjoy the fun and popularity of horse riding through this unique valley. If using no legs at all is your style, take off and take in the spectacular country side by helicopter, either way be guided through this beautiful part of the Blue Mountains.
Scenic Railway and Skyway
Hop on the railway, or the skyway, either way, enjoy the magical Blue Mountains scenery. The railway offers a tour through plunging rainforests and cascading waterfalls, the skyway offers the exquisite mountainous views that the Blue Montains is so famous for. Both the railway and the skyway are open all year round from 9-5pm and are an ideal way to tour the Blue Mountains, in an exciting and spectacular way.
Bilpin
If you are heading west go the wild route and forget the traffic lights, shops and tedium of suburbia. There are two roads over the mountains leading to the western plains of New South Wales. There’s the aforementioned traffic light nightmare or the Bells Line of Road (the northern road) through …BILPIN .. -where you’ll travel through a diversity of mountain scenery with great walls of sandstone and endless canyons, combined with charming orchards and fruit and vege stalls offering all local varieties of stone fruit in season and autumn apples. Visit local artisans in metalwork, ceramics, art, opals, wonderful dried flowers (combined with Russian antiques!) and woodwork, combined with numerous charming coffee stops all featuring home made apple pies, jams, local honey and our proudly made Bilpin Apple Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar.
There’s stacks of quality accommodation – from self-cater cabins through to completely serviced in-the-home bed and breakfast. There’s half a dozen wedding venues and a bus to transport guests to and from their function to their beds. Visit the cold climate Mt.Tomah Botanic Garden and enjoy lunch on the deck and Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine for world renowned private, open gardens. See the real Australia with people working their orchards and walking their wilderness.
HISTORY
The first journey along what is now Bells Line of Road was first undertaken by Archibald Bell in 1823(Sensibly he used the knowledge of the local Aborigines who had been crossing the mountains for tens of thousands of years. Although the mountains has been crossed at Katoomba a decade earlier, there was still no satisfactory route through the mountains from Richmond at this time.
In his diary Archibald Bell recalls that, upon his return to Sydney, he reported the richness of the soil in the Bilpin area which inevitably led to the arrival of settlers eager to grow fruit trees in the area.
In 1851 gold was found near Bathurst and Bells Line of Road became a ‘human foot-plodders’ road towards chancy fortune’. In 1831 the population along Bells Line of Road numbered twelve or thirteen families – a far cry from today.
Leura Village
A delightful village, made up of delicate shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, antique and book shops and quaint tea and coffee houses. The perfect place to take a stroll and relax in a friendly and cosy atmosphere.
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is the spectacular cool-climate garden of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Located in the northern Blue Mountains the Garden features plants from the southern hemisphere and many beautiful regions of the world. At 1,000 metres Mount Tomah overlooks the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with stunning panoramic views. Relax to the sounds of native birds and cascades of the rock garden. Enjoy peaceful garden walks, see rare Wollemi Pines in lush Rainforest or take a guided tour to discover the beauty of every season. A walk around this 28 hectare garden takes you past the proteas of South Africa, giant lobelias from Kenya, southern beeches of Australia, New Zealand and Chile, rhododendrons from the Himalayas and western China, with over five thousand species of plants. Facilities include: Visitor Centre, Garden Shop, Restaurant (Bookings phone 4567 2060), Kiosk, Conference Room, Venue hire, picnic areas, free barbecues, guided tours and an education service.
How to get to Mount Tomah Botanic Garden:
Take the M2 freeway north west from Sydney and follow the Bells Line of Road from Windsor (part of the Grand Circular Tourist Drive through the blue mountains). Windsor to Mount Tomah: 50kms west
Open Time:
10.00am – 4.00pm Daily from March to September. 10.00am – 5.00pm Daily from October to February. Closed Christmas Day.
b>Disabled Access:
The Visitors Centre, toilet facilites and many garden paths are accessible for wheelchairs/prams. A vehicle (with a mechanical lift) provides additional access.
Children:
Fun seasonal activities for all ages.
Activities you can engage in:
Barbecue, Birdwatching, Bushwalking, Flora, Learning/Lessons/Tuition, Photography, Meditating/Relaxing, Walking,
Guest Facilities:
BBQ Facilities, Car park, Coach Parking, Conference/Convention Facilities, Access Without Assistance for the Disabled, Parking for the Disabled, Toilet facilities for the Disabled, Gardens in property, Guide, Kiosk, Picnic Area, Public Telephone, Public Toilet, Restaurant Licensed, Shaded Area, Sheltered Area, Shop, Visitor Information Centre, Viewing Platform,
Experiences you can enjoy at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden:
Eco Tourism, Educational, Environmental, Flora and Fauna, Food and Wine, Health and Fitness, Mountain, Nature based, Rainforest, Relaxation, Wildflower, Wildlife.
Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum
Visit the Gallery Shop and view our extensive collection of Norman Lindsay Limited Edition Facsimile Reproduction Etchings, Limited Edition Watercolour Prints and Original Woodblock Prints. You can see here some of his famous oil paintings, water colours, etchings, sculptures, ship models and memorabilia. Open 1100 to1700, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday’s. This gallery is a discovery of historical and educational talent. Norman Lindsay Gallery also feature a photographic tour of the Gallery and the 40 acres of Garden.
Yester Grange
This beautiful Victorian House not only offers one of the most magnificent views in the Blue Mountains, but is a gallery for paintings, ceramics and antique furniture. A delightful way to witness unique sculptures both natural and man made.
Yester Grange no longer open to the public. It was built of weatherboard and designed by James Barnet, the son of the colonial architect who designed the GPO in Sydney. It was common at the time for the wealthy of Sydney to retreat to the cool of the mountains from the heat of Sydney. From the wide front verandahs there are views across towards Wentworth Falls Lake (a dam built across Jamison Creek in 1903), Mount Solitary and Sublime Point. Sadly it is now no longer open to the public. It is being used for private functions and is not open to the public.
Yester Grange is located on Yester Rd. To get there turn south into Tableland Rd, about 1.5 km east of the railway station. Almost immediately there is a right turn into Yester Rd.
Luxury 4 Wheel Drive tours
These tours head off the beaten track into the wilderness, taking you through towering escarpments, damp rainforests, extensive pine and eucalypt forest and much more. Frequent stops are made for photos and to enjoy the scenery, you are soon able to feel the freedom of its timeless magnificence. All tours commence and finish at your hotel/resort in Sydney or the Blue Mountains. A real highlight to your tour will be the lavish morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided on the full day tour. It is a 5 star adventure in comfort and style.
Blue Mountains Rhododendron Garden
This famous garden in Blackheath that features the worlds most magnificant specimens of Rhododendrons and Azaleas. This garden is set in Blue Mountains with the best of the natural bushland surroundings . Open from 9-5, these delicate attractions are one of the Blue Mountains many symbols of beauty.
Blue Mountains Honey Company
Watch the very busy bees at work, then inspect the results, the gift lines truly reflect the fruits of their labour. An interesting and tasty way to see how nature works. Open 5 days – 0900 to 1600. This is the place to come for gift wrapped beeswax candles and bottled honeys, as well as comb honey. The range of mountain fine fare also includes mustard, chocolate, nuts in honey, conserves and liqueur fruits.
Wentworth Falls Country Club
Prestigious, Friendly, Challenging. Play a round or two at the Mountains’ most popular course at Wentworth Falls. An easy walking, picturesque, 18 hole, par 70 golf course. Play and Stay packages available. Information for Members and their Guests.
The Mountains most prestigious and challenging course, offers a friendly game of golf, for those who would like to relax in the Blue Mountains surroudings. You can enjoy the crisp air and pituresque native flora. This course offers a well appointed restaurant and a licensed Club. Delight in the easy walking 18 hole, par 70 course, or hire a cart and take in the view.
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