Visit Blue Mountains: Scenic World

Disclosure: We were guests of Blue Mountains Tourism and Scenic World.

No visit to the Blue Mountains would be complete without a visit to Scenic World.  

Since 1945, guests have been visiting Scenic World, a former coal mine turned tourist attraction, for not only the most amazing scenic views in the area, but also to experience the world's steepest passenger train, the Southern hemisphere's steepest aerial cable car, and to see some of the most popular sights in the Blue Mountains.  

We got to Scenic World via the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus (Stop 11).

We arrived just after opening, so lines were non-existent.  We first went on the Scenic Skyway, which took us 720 meters across to the East Jamison Valley. 

You can stand in the center, where a glass bottom will reveal the depths below (we were 270 meters up high).

You get great views of the Blue Mountains, the sandstone cliffs, and even Katoomba Falls. 

We did a short walk down a path to the Katoomba Cascades, which was so pretty!  

We walked down a bit more to the Duchess of York Lookout, before we went back on the Scenic Skyway.

We then went onto the Scenic Railway.

From the outside, it looks like a tame, fun ride.  You can ride it up and / or down.  It is the world's steepest passenger train at a 52-degree incline.  

From the inside, especially if you are at the front row like we were, and selected the "Cliffhanger" position like we did (a 64-degree incline), it was pretty terrifying!

As slow as it was moving down 310 meters, the decline made the ride feel as if I was going to fall through the window.  It was both exciting and scary at the same time, as I took video while hanging on for dear life, screaming and laughing simultaneously.  

After riding the passenger train, we walked along the boardwalk, where we saw some coal mining displays, and my youngest son had fun reading all the informational signs (there are Scenic Walks all throughout Scenic World).

It was neat to see all the different formations in nature!

We then went on the 510 meter journey back to the top on the Scenic Cableway, where we had even more stunning views of the Blue Mountains, and well as the iconic Three Sisters.  

Don't forget to look for the Gruffalo while you're at Scenic World!

Lunch was included in our visit, so after a morning of exploring, we worked up quite the appetite.  We headed to Eats270 for some really yummy eats, including burgers, fish and chips, and chicken sandwiches.

I was quite impressed with the food!

We indulged in some ice cream from the Terrace Cafe after lunch.

Since we visited during the winter, it was indeed quite chilly, but we lucked out with gorgeous, clear blue skies.

Entry is timed, so I would recommend booking as early as possible, because the later it gets, the longer the wait in line gets (especially during peak summer season).  We had an early entry booking, so our wait times were very minimal. 

You can easily spend an entire day at Scenic World, traversing all of the paths and gazing at all the stunning vistas.

Scenic World is a must visit in the Blue Mountains!

Scenic World
Violet St & Cliff Dr

Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

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Visit Blue Mountains: CafeXpresso

Upon arrival at Katoomba Station in the Blue Mountains around 815am, we were freezing, so we decided to get some hot chocolate and pastries at CafeXpresso.

The take-out only stand offers various hot and cold drinks, as well as baked goods and some grab-and-go savory eats.

Everyone got their hot drinks and sweet eats, which hit the spot in the cold weather, and after having to wake up at 4:30am to catch the train to the Blue Mountains.

We were so glad they were open early and so close to the train station.  

Service was friendly, and the cafe was surely convenient!

CafeXpresso
Shop 4/281 Bathurst Rd

Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

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Visit Blue Mountains: Beyond the Black Top Adventures

Disclosure: Our family was a guest of Blue Mountain Tourism and Beyond the Black Top Adventures.

If you're visiting the Blue Mountains, I would highly suggest Beyond the Black Top Adventures for a thrilling experience.

Owner Paul, who was also our driver and guide, took us on a 3-Hour Army Truck adventure on a 6-seater "Wombat," which is an open air Ex-Australian Army Land Rover.

We buckled in, and began our adventure in Katoomba, where we were picked up at our hotel, and then we visited a few stops (since we visited in the middle of winter, it was very, very cold riding on the Wombat, but we did get two blankets each to help keep us warm).

The first stop was Landslide Lookout.  We walked a short trail, and came upon a cliff with amazing views.  It was quite anxiety-inducing because you are literally standing right near the edge of the cliff, but it was quite exhilarating too.  

It was too amazing for words.  

The landscape was vast, with thousands of trees, and it was just pretty mesmerizing.

We could see and hear hundreds of cockatoos flying around.  

We saw thousands and thousands of eucalyptus (gum) trees.  The trees are a source of oil, which is one reason why bush fires grow so rapidly in the area.  

It is these same oils that when emitted, create the blue haze that gives the Blue Mountains its name.

Another stop was the Wind Eroded Cave in Blackheath.  To think that it was once under water is pretty hard to imagine.  It was such an incredible sight!

It was really neat getting to see all of the nooks and crannies created by time and nature.

My youngest son and husband, along with Paul, did a short climb up part of the cave. 

The trail for Anvil Rock Lookout was right next to the Wind Eroded Cave's trail.  Named after its shape, the lookout offers stunning views of Grose Valley.

It's hard to describe the feeling when you're gazing at thousands of trees in peace.  It's even harder to imagine the devastating bush fires that consumed so much of the Blue Mountains just a few years prior.  The experience definitely gave me a deeper sense of appreciation for our natural surroundings. 

I'm always intrigued by plants whenever hiking or in the outdoors, and I was busy snapping away during the adventure.

It was neat to see plants native to New South Wales, and ones that even thrive on bush fires.

Mountain Devil

Wattle

Throughout the tour, Paul identified various plants, gave us the history of the different areas, told us all about the bush fires, and even pointed things out that we would never have noticed on our own - like the home of one of the deadly spiders in Australia - the Funnel Web spider.  

I also thought it was really neat to see the spectrum of colors on the rocks (the red is rust!).

Throughout the tour, charred remains were constant reminders of the bush fires.  It was a powerful reminder of the fragility of our eco-systems.

Beyond the Black Top Adventures offer a number of tours in varying lengths, and you're sure to find one that suits you and your group.  

They offer an ideal way to visit areas of the Blue Mountains that you may not otherwise have access to, especially without a car.  

Beyond the Black Top Adventures was a memorable experience!

To book a tour with Beyond the Black Top Adventures, click here.  
 

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