Blue Mountains

Although it's visited by tourists due to its proximity to Sydney, there are countless scenic spots across the vast Australian continent.
Because it was the weekend, there were so many tourists it felt like a sea of people - we had to queue up shoulder to shoulder just to walk down the mountain.

When you have time, you can go hiking or take the cable car for sightseeing.

At the cable car station in the Blue Mountains, there's a viewing platform where you can see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. According to legend, three Aboriginal sisters fell in love with three brothers from an enemy tribe, creating an Australian "Romeo and Juliet" story. The brave sisters, refusing to submit to feudal forces, chose to be transformed into three defiant rock formations - now known as the Three Sisters.

The Blue Mountains' iconic feature is supposedly how the mountains appear to emit a blue haze under sunlight. The guide explained this is caused by eucalyptus oil evaporating from the eucalyptus trees, floating in the air and creating a blue light refraction that covers the surrounding mountains and sky. The eucalyptus tree is Australia's national tree and the sole food source for the precious koalas.

The Blue Mountains National Park was called "the world's second wonder" by Queen Elizabeth II. However, I was a bit disappointed when I visited. Maybe my eyesight isn't good, but I couldn't see the legendary blue light at all. And compared to China's remarkable rock formations, it falls short - it wasn't particularly impressive. I guess if the Queen had visited China first, the Blue Mountains might not have received such high praise.

Strongly recommend NOT joining a tour group to visit the Blue Mountains!! Go independently!!

It's truly a uniquely Australian landscape.

The scenery inside is beyond what you'd expect. What impressed me most was the view from the tour bus, where I unexpectedly saw a double-layer sky (even though it was raining).

The Blue Mountains is a magical place. I initially didn't plan to visit because it's far, but it turned out to be an amazing surprise - absolutely worth it!

When you reach the viewing platform, you see the mountains rolling like waves, with blue mist in the distance and cloud shadows cast across the landscape.

You don't need many people to tell you that you're writing nonsense. There aren't over 500 species of eucalyptus trees, only about 40. Please don't mislead tourists - it's not the tree's oil but the evaporated gases from the eucalyptus. Take a good look at the English explanation, would you?

The natural scenery here can't really compare to Huangshan. In fact, China's landscapes are truly magnificent.

As you enter the Blue Mountains, you'll be enchanted by the delicate blue haze that embraces the mountains. The eucalyptus trees release their aromatic oils into the air, and on clear days, the fine mist reflects the azure sky, creating an ethereal effect - as if the mountain ranges are wrapped in a mystical blue veil...

While the mountain ranges alone might not seem particularly spectacular at first glance, once you understand that the blue haze comes from the eucalyptus trees' aromatic oils, and especially after descending into the valley among towering eucalyptus trees with babbling brooks alongside, you'll truly appreciate the magic of this ancient forest.

The three different scenic cable rides each offer unique experiences - definitely worth trying! Though the queuing area being combined with the souvenir shop creates a bit of a crowded, chaotic atmosphere.

Don't miss the locally-made Macadamia nut diffusers - they make great souvenirs. It would've been perfect if they also sold eucalyptus oil!

I've always dreamed of visiting places like this with rich historical and cultural heritage, and beautiful natural scenery!

To visit the Blue Mountains National Park, you can buy tickets for Scenic World to ride the cable car and railway. Buying family tickets online saves a bit compared to on-site purchases, costing around AUD94. When traveling in Australia as a family, it's recommended to check if family tickets are available before purchasing, as they offer significant savings. Family tickets typically cover 2 adults and 3 children. According to local information, white families typically have 2 adults and 3 children as standard. From what we observed, most families actually had 3 or 4 children. (It's recommended to buy tickets in advance through Mafengwo for better discounts)

After purchasing tickets online, you need to exchange them at the ticket window. Staff will put a paper wristband on each person's wrist, and entry/exit only requires scanning at the machines - very convenient. Staff provided a tour map with detailed information and recommended routes. Visitors can arrange hiking and rainforest adventures according to their preferences and schedule.

The temperature in the Blue Mountains is lower than in Sydney. Even wearing sweaters and down jackets, we were still shivering from the cold. For lunch, we bought sandwiches and croissants at the visitor center's restaurant. Surprisingly, the AUD7 sandwiches were delicious! No wonder they sold out so quickly.

The scenery is nice, and it's quite spectacular from high viewpoints. Not sure why it's called the Blue Mountains - it's not even blue! Nothing too special about it.

I initially didn't know why the Blue Mountains got their name, but after arriving, I discovered it's because of the eucalyptus trees everywhere and the blue haze that hangs over the mountains. The area features impressive natural attractions like the Three Sisters, Jenolan Caves, Wentworth Falls, and the Bird Rock. The scenery is quite magnificent. The three-section cable car ride was particularly memorable - one section offers views of a waterfall cascading from the top, with beautiful scenery. One of the smaller cable cars has quite a steep angle, but thankfully it moves slowly - otherwise it would feel like a roller coaster!

After struggling to choose between many one-day tours on Mafengwo, I finally decided to go by train - and the experience was fantastic! Once there, buy an unlimited pass for the cable cars and railway - you can ride as many times as you want. The Blue Mountains are truly beautiful! A must-visit!

The Blue Mountains scenic area mainly features a walkway and three types of cable cars, giving you a rainforest feel~

The most thrilling is the railway car - it's at a 65-degree angle and moves quite fast, feeling like a roller coaster~

There's also a cable car that crosses the valley, offering panoramic views of the gorge.

The walkway is also very nice. If you have enough time, you can spend a whole day here, or even rent a vacation home near the Blue Mountains for a couple of days.

The dense eucalyptus forest creates a very pleasant scent in the air~

Make sure to check the local weather before you go!!! On foggy days, you can't see anything!! I overheard a tour guide pointing at nothing but white mist saying: "This is the Three Sisters!" (in a rather ironic tone)

Trains from the city to Blue Mountains run every half hour. Near the Blue Mountains area, there are many beautiful private Australian houses and gardens with lovely decorations. However, if you've seen China's famous mountains and landscapes before, you might find the Blue Mountains scenic area itself somewhat limited in terms of views.

The Blue Mountains National Park, located west of Sydney, is a vast natural area with convenient transportation access. If driving, simply follow the M4 motorway westward.

1. Wentworth Falls: One of the largest waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, standing about 100 meters high amid spectacular mountain scenery. To get there, take the Blue Mountains Line to Wentworth Falls Station, walk west along Great Western Highway, then turn onto Falls Road and continue straight ahead. The walk from the station takes 25-35 minutes.

From the park entrance, it's about a 30-minute walk to the waterfall. There's a trail leading to the bottom of the falls - recommended for those with good fitness levels, taking 50-60 minutes round trip. Adventure enthusiasts can explore further into the forest and valley, which takes several hours (though I haven't tried this personally).

2. Three Sisters:
   Located in Katoomba, the largest town and tourist hub of the Blue Mountains. The Three Sisters rock formation is a famous landmark derived from an ancient Aboriginal legend, similar to many folklore-inspired rock formations worldwide.

Take the Blue Mountains Line to Katoomba Station, then follow Katoomba Street to reach the viewpoint - approximately a 30-minute walk.

Recommended route: After viewing the Three Sisters, take the Great Stairs down the eastern side through pristine rainforest. Head west along the trail to see waterfalls and the historic Katoomba coal mine. Don't miss the scenic railway (converted from an old mining railway) - the steepest passenger railway in the world. Take the cable car up to exit at another point. Various skyways are available for additional sightseeing. The entire circuit takes about 2 hours.

Pretty nice place to visit.

Under the sunlight, the eucalyptus trees covering the mountains shimmer with a bluish glow. Each viewing platform offers a uniquely stunning experience. Three cable cars provide different perspectives of the Blue Mountains. Personally, I found the scenic railway design a bit thrilling - it might make you nervous!