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There aren’t many major cities around the globe which have a World Heritage listed wilderness practically in their own backyard, but that’s exactly what Sydney, Australia has in the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Among the Blue Mountains and the other national parks that adjoin them, there are over a million hectares of unspoiled wilderness to discover, all within an hour’s commuter train ride of Australia’s biggest city. As soon as you travel from Sydney towards the Blue Mountains, you feel as is you have been teleported to another world, one where there is no sign of the hustle and bustle of the city you left behind. In its place, you find yourself gazing across an endless landscape of rising and falling hills covered in blue-green eucalypts. As you step into this stunning landscape, you peer over sheer rock faces, look up at amazing waterfalls and into the eyes of Australia’s unique animal life. If you are an outside lover, you will surely fall madly in love with the Blue Mountains. If you prefer putting on your hiking boots and exploring, it is easy to spend weeks in Katoomba or Leura, two of the primary cities, hiking a new trail every day. If the joys of rock climbing or mountain biking is to your liking, then you’ll be in paradise. If you have never been to the Blue Mountains before, you’ll be able to see the best of them from Katoomba. Just walk or drive down the main street of town until you come to Echo Point and the famed Three Sisters. You have probably seen these Sisters in pictures, since they have been photographed a huge number of times before and been featured in countless ad campaigns. You will not be disappointed, though, when you “meet” the Sisters in person for the very first time. Only then will you really appreciate the sheer extent of the cliff faces and extent of the scenery. If you’re a climber, you may head straight for the Giant Staircase that takes you to the valley floor and head for the cliff faces, where it is possible to tackle some of the countless classic climbing routes that dot the area. Hikers, too, love to take this staircase and “go bush.” If you want to get away from it all but have only a day to do it in, when you’ve reached the bottom of the stairs you actually have gotten away from it all. Surrounded by nature at its finest, from the valley floor the only signs of civilization you observe are the helpful signs that are posted discreetly along Federal Pass, which skirts the edge of the cliffs between Katoomba and nearby Leura. After a day of hiking or climbing, the lazy or the exhausted can take the world’s steepest railway line up to the top of the cliffs and back to civilization. While it is easily possible to do all of this in a single day and be back in Sydney in time for bed, once you have arrived in the Blue Mountains, you will not want to leave. Fortunately, finding a comfortable Blue Mountains cottage is easy. You can pick from one of the many inexpensive backpackers hostels in town, a quaint bed and breakfast or even a cliffside motel. Katoomba residents are all outdoor lovers themselves and know the way to look after weary hikers and climbers. Wander up Katoomba Street after dark and enjoy a hearty and well earned meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants that line the streets. You’ve earned it.
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