Blue Mountains Guides Attractions Events in New South Wales

Blackheath is a historic village in the upper Blue Mountains, named by Governor Macquarie in 1815.

A short drive from Blackheath is Govetts Leap, a lookout with spectacular views of the Grose Valley and nearby waterfalls. Evans Lookout provides an different point of view into the same canyon.

Blackheath is known as ‘Rhododendron Town’ in November when Blackheath hosts the annual Rhododendron Festival.

The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens has 45 acres of rhododendrons and azaleas planted underneath a native Australian bush canopy. The Gardens are a spectacular sight in the spring months of September through to November.

The ornamental cherry trees that line the streets are out in full bloom in the first week of October.

The Megalong Valley is 18 kilometres away and can be accessed from Blackheath.

This township is named after Gregory Blaxland, one of the three explorers who forged a passage over the Blue Mountains in 1813.

Lennox Bridge Mitchells Pass Road, Blaxland. Constructed in 1833, Lennox Bridge is the oldest bridge on the Australian mainland and the first scientifically structured stone arch bridge on the Australian mainland. Stone used in this convict-built structure was quarried from about 500 metres higher up the gully. The bridge is accessible from the Great Western Highway at Blaxland.

The World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains have become one of the most consistently popular holiday regions of Australia. Numerous visitors return year after year to enjoy the wide range of sporting facilities and outdoor activities in the healthy, invigorating climate. The breathtaking scenic beauty, nostalgic appeal and opportunity for relaxation attract more than a million visitors each year.

The Blue Mountains are easily reached by road and rail from Sydney in less than 2 hours, while one day round trip coach services run daily from Sydney to Katoomba. The wide diversity of accommodation and great range of activities available makes it an ideal destination for a stay of longer duration.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Blue Mountains dates back at least 14 000 years ago. Many camp sites, art sites, axe grinding grooves, rock engravings and stone tools and flakes exist throughout the Blue Mountains.

The small village of Bowenfels forms an outer suburb of the bustling industrial centre of Lithgow. The few remaining old buildings, now bypassed by a busy
Great Western Highway. Bowenfels was the birthplace of settlement in the Lithgow valley, long before extensive beds of coal were discovered here.

Surrounded by the wonders of World Heritage listed wilderness, the Capertee Valley is the world's second largest canyon.

Sandstone cliffs dominate the escarpment, drawing down into a deep chasm carved into the environment over millions of years. With tranquil vistas and serene mountain landscapes, the Capertee Valley is abundant in flora and fauna, providing the perfect opportunity to encounter nature in a natural environment. Under the sandstone layer stretches an enormous layer of coal and oil shale.

Rising majestically out of the valley floor is a monolith in size and spectacle. The impressive peak, Pantoney's Crown, beckons the keen walker to climb its summit. From the top a 360 degree panorama of the dramatic and breathtaking valley.

In 1877, Sir Henry Parkes purchased 600 acres of land here in the Blue Mountains and gave the name Faulconbridge, the maiden name of his mother, to the residence he built. A railway station was constructed to serve his needs in 1877.

Parkes, his first wife and two of his sons are buried in the cemetery he established. In 1933, Mr Joseph Jackson, MLA, donated 8 hectares of land to the council for a public park. This is known as the Prime Ministers Corridor of Oaks where all Prime Ministers plant an oak tree.

Also located at Faulconbridge is the home of Norman Lindsay, the author of 'The Magic Pudding'. His home was acquired by the National Trust and is open to the public.

When Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813 they found the grazing land they sought in what is now known as the Hartley Valley. Governor Macquarie named this fertile valley the 'Vale of Clwyd' after a valley of the same name in Wales. The Hartley Valley remains basically a picturesque rural area, narrowly missed by the Great Western Highway. Many lovely grand houses have been restored and you can view the local history displays and listen to the audio visual presentations in many of the open houses, these include the post office (1846), Bernard's Church (1842), the local court house (1837) and Shamrock Inn Cottage (1841) contact the Visitors Centre for details.

Around 450 million years ago when Australia's eastern coastline was further inland, coral atolls developed around a series of partially submerged volcanoes, The coral became compressed and developed into Australia's most spectacular lime-stone caves.

James McKeown, as escaped convict and bushranger is the first white man known to have entered the caves, using them as a hideaway. About 1840, James Whalan had a horse stolen and tracked it to McKeown's Valley. Whalan saw the immense opening in the limestone as they rode by. His brother, Charles was in interested in the report and eventually discovered the caves. Fame spread and visitors not only explored the caves but took many pieces away with them.

The government appointed Jeremiah Wilson as guide and caretaker of the caves in 1867. The name was changed to Jenolan, Aboriginal for 'high mountain' in 1884. Visits to the cave were quite primitive with candles in holders the only lighting and nights spent camping in grand arch in minimum comfort.

Improvements were gradually made to the caves with cement floors and handrails added, and electric lighting in 1887. In the late 1880s the road from Mount Victoria and Hartley was built allowing carriages to drive all the way.

In 1884 the 'six foot track' was built. Many more caves were discovered, the last being the River Cave in 1903.

Jenolan Caves are world famous limestone caves containing amazing rock formations. Guided tours of caves take about two hours and contain many steps.

Katoomba is easily the best place to get the full experience of being in the Blue Mountains. It's home to one of Australia's icons of nature, the Three Sisters, and its surrounding walkways are equally enticing and as gentle as you like. In town, you'll find an array of boutique and local fashion, as well as cosy dining experiences at all levels. The middle of the year sees a special time with Yulefest, which is the Blue Mountains community's own Christmas celebrations.

Westward from Katoomba stands the sheltered remains of the Marked Tree known as the Explorers Tree, reputed to have the carved initials of the Three Exploreres on it.

The name Lapstone Hill was first given to the slope of the eastern escarpment in 1832 because of the number of water worn stones that resembled the stones cobblers held between their knees to beat the leather against. In 1964 the railway station was built by Lapstone Estate LTD and therefore became known as Lapstone. The railway platform was originally known as Lucasville Platform and was built in 1878 to serve Mr John Lucas, Minister for Mines.

Originally known as '24 Mile Hollow', followed by 'Christmas Swamp'. When The Blue Mountains Inn was opened in 1848; the district also took the name 'Blue Mountain'. When a railway station was built in 1867 that too was Gazetted 'Blue Mountain'. This name was often misleading to strangers to the area and was changed to Lawson, after the explorer William Lawson, in 1879.

Leura is a historic village with quaint little tea houses and craft shops nestled amongst turn-of-the-century buildings. Leura retains its own distinct identity with a real village atmosphere. The main street, The Mall, feels quite secluded from the highway. Leura is packed with great cafes, art galleries and small boutiques, and is renowned for its beautiful gardens.

Leura's Sunday Markets are held on the 1st Sunday of the month from 9.30am to 3.00pm at the Leura Public School, Great Western Highway, Leura.

In 1874 a private railway platform named 'Linden' was opened to serve nearby Linden House and it became public in 1882. Linden's earlier names were '17 Mile Hollow (referring to its distance from Emu Plains), 'Linden Tank' and 'Henderson's Platform'. Notable historical features of Linden are Caley's Repulse, Kings Cave, Donohoe's Headstone, the remnants of Cox's Road and Linden Observatory. Linden is 526 metres above sea level.

Bull's Camp, named after Lt. John Bull, is situated between Linden and Woodford. At the rear of Bull's Camp are two cells cut out of rock (folklore has it that these were places of punishment) and a grooved stone, known as the "Flogging Stone".

Surrounded by the wonders of World Heritage listed wilderness, Lithgow is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Discover their fascinating history from the original inhabitants and the heritage of more recent arrivals. Lithgow is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. On the far reaches of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow provides the gateway to the wonders of World Heritage listed National Parks. Nature reigns supreme in Lithgow.

Little Hartley is a small village east of Hartley on the Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains, 150 kilometres west of Sydney and 20 kilometres south-east of Lithgow.

Little Hartley is a collection of properties in a rural setting and the most prominent landmarks are Rosedale, on the west side of the highway, and Meads Farm on the east side.

Megalong is an Aboriginal word thought to mean 'Valley Under The Rock'. The first record of a European coming to the valley was of Thomas Jones, a natural history specimen collector, who followed the course of Cox's River from Burragorang to Hartley in 1818. The first land was taken up in 1838, by settlers travelling from Burragorang and Camden.

Today the valley is used for farming, but tourism has increased since the historic Six Foot Track was restored. This track was marked out in the 19th century as a bridle trail from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves.The track begins at the Explorers' Tree on the great Western and takes you through Nellie's Glen, past Bonnie Doon Falls, into the Megalong Valley, the historic Megalong Village, the Cox's River, Bowtells Swing Bridge and finishing at Jenolan Caves.

Robert Hoddle (surveyor) and Allan Cunningham (botanist) crossed Mount Tomah in 1823. They made comprehensive records of the vegetation they found and pockets of the rainforest still exist. They were especially impressed with Dicksonia Antarctica, the soft brown tree fern, Cyathea Australis and the black rough tree fern. Mount Tomah is famous for its botanic gardens, cave hill and wild mountain scenery.

Mount Victoria is located 120 kilometres from Sydney and 1044 metres above sea-level in westernmost area of the Blue Mountains.
Surveyor-General, Thomas Mitchell marked this area One Tree Hill in 1834. When a toll bar was opened in 1849, it was referred to as Broughton's Waterhole Toll Bar. It was not until the railway arrived that one name was applied to the district. The railway station opened in 1868 as Mount Victoria after the young Princess Victoria, and gradually the name was accepted.

Mount Victoria was a popular tourist destination in the late nineteenth century with many various types of accommodation being built.
Mount Victoria is small township with a large number of historic buildings including the Hall which is used as a cinema, the Mount Vic Flicks, and the Imperial Hotel. It also has a museum and is the starting point for many bushwalks.

Mount York has several bushwalking tracks, picnic and barbecue areas along with excellent lookouts that make it a very interesting place.

Mount York was the point where the Three Explorers, Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth viewed the Kanimbla Valley and the 'west' for the first time. Their famous 'first crossing' and opening of the west to farming in 1813 is commemorated with lookouts and several memorials on the summit, one with their faces set in stone.

Mount York was the site of various attempts to build a pass to the plains west of the Blue Mountains, Cox's Road and Lockyers Road. These roads were all abandoned, but in recent years they have been developed into walking tracks by the New South Wales Department of Lands.

As part of the World Heritage Listed Greater Blue Mountains Region, and with a unique combination of national parks, state forests and rolling hills, Oberon is a popular area for trout fishing, sapphire fossicking, mushroom picking, horse riding, four wheel driving and bushwalking. Lake Oberon and the rivers and creeks in the area are a must for the keen angler, while places like Evans Crown Nature Reserve and Kanangra Walls offer both relaxing and challenging walks for all to enjoy.

In the early 19th century, along with the explorers, stock keepers and free settlers, Daruk and Wiradjuri Aboriginal tribes visited Oberon. From 1818 on, an increasing number of settlers, many from Ireland, began grazing stock or growing vegetables and fruits. The area is still well known for its gardens, featured during the Oberon Daffodil Festival in late September.

The village of Oberon, proclaimed in 1863, takes the name from the King of the Fairies in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream.

Oberon is perhaps best known for the Jenolan Caves, the most spectacular limestone caves in Australia. Local folklore has it that a bushranger named James McKeown roamed the Oberon-Tarana district in the 1830s, stealing from farmers and travellers, and then withdrawing to his hideout in Jenolan. Tired of losing their property, local settlers led by the Whalan brothers Charles and James, organised themselves to track him down and they found him in a hut near the site of where Jenolan Caves House is today.

This location was named by Governor Macquarie in 1815, while he and his wife were travelling over the mountains to Bathurst, it was so called because of '...a very pretty wooded plain near a spring of very good fresh water..."

Springwood is well known for its craft and antique shops, galleries, and general shopping.

The Valley Inn (also known at various times as the Woolpack and Welcome Inn) was built in Valley Heights in 1832. When purchased in 1870 by the Hon. Geoffrey Eagar,a Colonial Treasurer who lived in the Valley. He had a railway platform named after himself, called Eagar's Platform.

The name was changed to the Valley in 1877 and to Valley Heights in 1890. A steam engine locomotive depot operated here from 1913 until electrification of the railway in 1957.

Valley Heights has the railway station, rail museum and the historic Gatekeepers cottage.