The Blue Mountains: A Day Trip from Sydney
Once upon a time, I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and saw that my creative writing teacher in high school was in Australia, as she posted a photo of her against some outrageously gorgeous mountains in New South Whales called “The Blue Mountains”.
The Blue Mountains… what’s that?
The Blue Mountains is about an hour outside of Sydney.
It’s easiest to get to if you have a car, but there are also trains you can take from the city center if driving isn’t an option.
Here are a few reminders before you’re on your way:
1. Bring sunscreen
2. Bring bug spray – especially if you’re going in the summer
3. Wear comfortable shoes in the event you want to hike
Wondering what to do while you’re up there?
Well, there are a lot of cool things – caves, and things of that nature… but some of them are another two hours away from the Blue Mountains.
If you’re looking for a simpler day, with less driving involved –here are a few ideas:
1. See the Three Sisters
It’s basically a set of quirky rocks, but nevertheless – it’s cool to be able to say you’ve snapped a picture of the three sisters.
The Three Sisters at the Blue Mountains in New South Whales; January 2019.
The views beside the siblings though, is what’s actually astounding…
The Blue Mountains in New South Whales; January 2019.
2. Have an Aussie Picnic
My dad and I were fortunate enough to see the Blue Mountains with our distant cousin; who is a Sydney native. She brought avocados, greens, tomatoes, rice crackers, dips, watermelon coconut water, and vegemite for an all-out-Aussie-picnic.
Wondering how vegemite tastes?
Vegemite is a dark, thick in consistency spread made from leftover brewer’s yeast. Aussie’s seem to like it best on toast when mixed with butter or margarine. It’s surprisingly nutrient dense! You’ll see it everywhere in grocery stores, and rest assured - you’ll have the chance to try it for free if your hotel offers a complimentary breakfast.
It’s basically like eating spreadable salt in a slimier consistency of a processed peanut butter.
It’s not gross… but it’s also not good… you have to try it in a small dose. Later in Brisbane, I attempted to water down the pungent taste of the vegemite with phony butter on a piece of toast…
… but there’s no hiding that taste.
They say it tastes yeasty, but it’s really mostly salt.
You can take my advice with a grain of…
…hah, okay – bad joke, but you know what I mean. Try it at your own will, but I would just be prepared to drink something you don’t dislike afterwards in the event the overbearing spread is too briny for your taste buds.
3. Pick a Light Trail
Two I can recommend are the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and the Leura Cascades.
4. Explore Katoomba
My dad and I were on our fourth day in on our down under trip, and laundry was becoming a necessity.
We did our laundry in Katoomba.
Katoomba is a small town at the Blue Mountains.
My dad was really obsessed with saying that, and looking back… it is kind of goofy yet neat to say.
Anyways, there’s a small town around there where you can shop or get a cold drink.
Bottom line, if you’re going to the Blue Mountains, you can go all out and see the big + farther away sights within the long mountain range… but you can also keep it simple the way that we did, and I guarantee that you’ll still have a good day.
View of the Blue Mountains on Prince Henry’s cliff walk; January 2019.