AUSTRALIA – Blue Mountains Walking Holiday.
New South
Wales, - Blue Mountains “Inn-To-Inn”
Scenic walks.
These can be “fully guided” or “Self guided” & can
be 3 or
5 days walking.
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OF THE 3 SISTERS. Well known for the
famous 3 Sisters rock formation, the sheer beauty and botanical significance of
the Blue Mountains has recently been recognised with a prestigious World
Heritage listing. Towering cliffs,
dramatic lookouts and numerous cascading waterfalls await those travelling on
foot. Retrace the journey taken by
early European explorers in search of fertile pastures. Explore remote rainforests, descend into the
depths of pretty canyons and walk along trails that hug the sheer cliff
faces. Emerge from the National Park at
the end of each day’s walking to be pampered in style in our hand-selected
accommodations.
LOCATION: The Blue Mountains is about 2hrs
drive west of Sydney, easily accessible by local train or car. We can also
arrange private transfers from Sydney airport or city hotels.
GRADING: 30% easy, 35% moderate, 35% or more
strenuous. 9-16 km (4-6 hours) walking each day. Good public transport allows
you to shorten walks if required.
TYPICAL ACCOMMODATION: Boutique
inn, guesthouses, B&Bs. Some of which are pictured in the Itinerary text.
REGIONAL WINE &
FOOD: Noted for its international cuisine with restaurants attracting some of
the best chefs in the country.
Accompany with award winning wines from the nearby Hunter Valley winery
district.
THE BEST TIME TO GO: Available
all year except July. October to November is usually mild to warm. Temperatures warm up from December through
February. March and April are usually
cool to mild. Temperatures drop from
May onwards and the days are cool to cold.
July brings occasional snowfalls.
Warmer, spring weather returns around September.
DEPARTURE DATES:
Self Guided:
Any day of the year
except July for a minimum of 2 people booking together.
Guided:
7 day itinerary – every
Sunday of the year.
5 day itinerary – every
Monday of the year.
Guaranteed departures
for a minimum of 2 people booking together.
7 DAY ITINERARY (includes 6
nights accommodation & 5 days of walking)
Day 1: Starts at
Mt. Victoria any time after 2pm.
Accommodation: Mt. Victoria.
Day 2: The walk
begins with an easy climb to the highest point in the mountains, Mt.
Piddington, followed by a descent through remote forest into the heart of Cox’s
Cave. Marvel at the tenacity of the
early explorers who forged a route through this rugged terrain! There’s more remote walking this afternoon
as you explore the first pretty canyon, emerging into a huge natural rock
amphitheatre. Finish the day with a
stroll through magnificent rhododendron gardens nearby.
Accommodation:
Blackheath.
|
Day 3: Skirt around sheer cliff tops to see Bridal Veil
Falls plummet 180 metres in a single
drop! Enjoy breathtaking views from
Govetts Leap, at the same time discovering why the Blue Mountains appear
“blue”. Then descend into the depths
of the Grand Canyon where surreal forest giants tower overhead and the path
allows glimpses into the deep, dark clefts of the canyon itself. Accommodation:
Blackheath. |
|
Day 4: Take an exhilarating ride down the Scenic
Railway into the depths of the rainforest then retrace the route used by coal
miners over 100 years ago. Mining
relics, tunnels and adits can be seen along the way and observant walkers are
often rewarded with a glimpse of an elusive lyrebird. Lunch today will be shared with flocks of cheeky currawongs at an
impressive rocky outcrop called Ruined Castle.
Will you rise to the Furber Challenge?
An alternative to riding up the Scenic Railway, this track climbs steeply
through dense rainforest past delightful waterfalls and pretty grottoes. Accommodation: Katoomba.
Day 5: Learn the
Aboriginal legend of how the famous 3 Sisters were formed as you descend the
862 steps of the Giant Stairway. Then
it’s away from the throng of tourists and into the depths of Leura Forest. Delicate ferns and mosses hug the rainforest
trees as filtered sunlight creates a magical scene.
Accommodation: Leura.
|
Day 6: The
setting for the grand finale is Waterfall Valley. The route winds its way past waterfalls, beneath overhanging
cliffs and through magnificent grottoes.
A real highlight today is the “mid-cliff” walk along a wide path that
has been carved into the sheer cliff face!
Handrails, ladders and airy lookouts provide a birds-eye view over
hundreds of miles of forests. The
spray from spectacular Wentworth Falls refreshes weary walkers before
climbing to the cliff top.
Accommodation: Leura. Day 7: Trip
finishes after breakfast |
|
5 DAY ITINERARY (includes 4 nights
accommodation & 3 days of walking).
Day 1: Starts at
Blackheath any time after 2pm.
Accommodation: Blackheath.
Day 2: Skirt
around sheer cliff tops to see Bridal Veil Falls plummet 180 metres in a single
drop! Enjoy breathtaking views from
Govetts Leap, at the same time discovering why the Blue Mountains appear
“blue”. Then descend into the depths of
the Grand Canyon where surreal forest giants tower
overhead and the path
allows glimpses into the deep, dark clefts of the canyon itself.
Accommodation:
Blackheath.
Day 3: Take an exhilarating
ride down the Scenic Railway into the depths of the rainforest then retrace the
route used by coal miners over 100 years ago.
Mining relics, tunnels and adits can be seen along the way and observant
walkers are often rewarded with a glimpse of an elusive lyrebird. Lunch today will be shared with flocks of
cheeky currawongs at an impressive rocky outcrop called Ruined Castle. Will you rise to the Furber Challenge? An alternative to riding up the Scenic
Railway, this track climbs steeply through dense rainforest past delightful
waterfalls and pretty grottoes.
Accommodation: Katoomba.
Day 4: Learn the
Aboriginal legend of how the famous 3 Sisters were formed as you descend the 862
steps of the Giant Stairway. Then it’s
away from the throng of tourists and into the depths of Leura Forest. Delicate ferns and mosses hug the rainforest
trees as filtered sunlight creates a magical scene. Accommodation: Leura.
Day 5: Trip
finishes after breakfast.
COSTS:
The costs are based on the number of people on the trip, as shown below:-
(MINIMUM number is 2 for any trip).
7 day self
guided itinerary:
$1295pp twin/double share (single supplement $295) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1325pp twin/double share (single supplement $350) - valid 1/4/04 –
31/3/05
5 day self
guided itinerary:
$975pp twin/double share (single supplement $250) - valid from 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$985pp twin/double share (single supplement $265) - valid from 1/4/04 -
31/3/05.
7 day
guided itinerary:
2-3 people:
$1950pp twin/double share (single supplement $295) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1950pp twin/double share (single supplement $350) - valid 1/4/04 -
31/3/05
4-5 people:
$1650pp twin/double share (single supplement $295) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1695pp twin/double share (single supplement $350) - valid 1/4/04
31/3/05.
6 or more people:
$1550pp twin/double share (single supplement $295) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1595pp twin/double share (single supplement $350) - valid 1/4/04 -
31/3/05.
5 day
guided itinerary:
2-3 people:
$1350pp twin/double share (single supplement $250) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1450pp twin/double share (single supplement $265) - valid 1/4/04 -
31/3/05.
4-5 people:
$1250pp twin/double share (single supplement $250) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1295pp twin/double share (single supplement $265) - valid 1/4/04 –
31/3/05.
6 or more people:
$1150pp twin/double share (single supplement $250) - valid 1/4/03 -
31/3/04.
$1195pp twin/double share (single supplement $265) - valid 1/4/04 –
31/3/05.
Cost Includes:
7 day itinerary: 6 nights
accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, luggage transfers, National
Park fees, Scenicworld pass including Scenic Railway ride & Sceniscender
gondola ride, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, walking
notes, maps, guiding (on guided itineraries).
5 day itinerary: 4 nights
accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, National
Park fees, Scenicworld pass including Scenic Railway ride & Sceniscender
gondola ride, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, walking
notes, maps, guiding (on guided itineraries).
Costs Exclude:
Local train travel
(allow $10 per person), alcohol, additional meals.
For air
travel from Hong Kong to Australia, you can use reward miles or call us for a
competitive fare
These are complete itineraries in themselves, but they can be combined
with other holiday ideas to make full use of your time in Australia.
Prices and schedules are subject to change by Operator or Airline without
notice.