We were told the coach would wait at Rydges Sydney Central at Abion St at 7.05 am. This was about 10 mins walk from our apartment at Cooper St.When we reached there, we were the first and only group to board the coach. The coach then proceed to other pick up points in the city to pick up other tourists. By the time the coach was full, about 40 of us, it was already an hour later. So, in actual fact we had a free city tour.
The coach stopped at a terminal where we were told to alight and change to a different coach. Those going to Blue mountains were told to board the coach marked with blue mountains, those going to Hunter's valley were told board Hunter's valley coach and so on.
(2) Blue Mountain Scenic World
The Blue mountain is a mountainous region in New South Wales, Australia. It borders on
Sydney's metropolitan area, its foothills starting about 50 km west of the state capital. It is a
magical place any time of the year. Glowing in autumn, cool in winter, colorful in spring and
refreshing in summer. The blue mountains is densely populated by oil bearing Eucalyptus
trees.The atmosphere is filled with finely dispersed droplets of oils, which, in combination
with dust particles and water vapor, scatter short-wave length rays of light which are
predominately blue in color, hence the name 'Blue Mountain'.
(a) Skyway
To reach the scenic view of the Blue Mountains, we had to take the Skyway across
the mountain ranges. The skyway glided between cliff tops and there was a glass floor
where one could gaze to see the rainforest canopy.
(b) RailWay
Our next ride was the Railway to the mountain valley. The ride gave us a thrill of 52
degrees incline riding the steepest passenger railway in the world.
We got to know a new friend, Marcello, from Brazil who was sitting in the same bench as us.
He told us he was travelling alone and would be going to Melbourne after this trip.We also get to
chat with an old couple from UK sitting in the first row in front of us.The wife told us her husband
had businesses in both Australia and Singapore. They enjoyed this railway ride so much that they
took the rides several times up and down.
(c) Strolling the valley Walkway
Discover the tranquility of the ancient rainforest in the valley by strolling along the 2.4km
scenic walkway. The elevated boardwalk immersed us in this Jurassic rainforest on the
Jamison valley floor with minimum impact to the environment.
(d) Cableway back to top
At the end of the elevated boardwalk, we came to the cableway station. We took the cableway
back to the top. The cableway gave us a good vintage of the Three Sisters and
the orphan rock.
(e) Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Located at Echo Point Katoomba, around 2.5 kilometres from the Great Western Highway, this iconic visitor attraction is experienced by millions of people each year.
The Three Sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone.
The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. The Three Sisters is also floodlit until around 11pm each evening looking simply spectacular set against the black background of the night sky.
(3) Featherdale Wildlife Park
After the Blue Mountain tour, our next destination was the Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Featherdale Wildlife Park houses the world's premier collection of Australian wildlife, allowing visitors to get up close to 2,200 animals from over 280 species. Cuddle up to a koala, have a photo taken and hand feed kangaroos. Located at Doonside, en route to the famous Blue Mountains, Featherdale is Sydney's ultimate 'hands on' wildlife experience.
After the wildlife park, we concluded our day with a trip up the Sydney harbour, unwinding on an
afternoon cruise along the Parramatta River and dropped off at Darling Harbour.
Other Platypus links:
20feb2015-Melbourne Chapel St and Fitroy
21feb2015-Melbourne South Yarra Market, DFO and St Kilda
22feb2015-Melbourne Dandenong Ranges and Tom's house
23feb2015-Melbourne Great Ocean Road 1 day self drive
24feb2015-Melbourbe Sunny Ridge and Casino
25feb2015 Sydney-The Rock n Sydney Bridge
27feb2015 Sydney Botanical Garden n Bondi Beach
28feb2015 Sydney Fish market, Opera House, Mamak
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