Located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, this spectacular park gives visitors an excellent glimpse into life in Australian rainforests. Once used primarily for logging, the land was set aside in 1927 as a wildlife and flora reserve, and was later rolled into Australia’s chain of Rainforest Parks in 1986. It became a true tourist attraction in 1991 with the opening of the Rainforest Center.
One of the park’s best features is its accessibility. There are several easy trails taken over boardwalks that allow visitors to explore the subtropical rainforest, and most of these are also wheelchair accessible. Walk with the Birds is an elevated boardwalk that brings visitors up into the trees to experience the forest as the birds do, and the Skywalk leads to a platform with fantastic views. Other walks showcase the floor of the rainforest. More challenging hikes are also available to visitors who are so inclined. If a car tour is more your speed, consider taking the ten kilometer scenic drive and end with a picnic in the Never Never day use area. Picnics can also be enjoyed at The Glade, where brush turkeys are frequent visitors, and also at the Rainforest Center. The Rainforest Center is a destination in itself with its interactive displays and simulated rainforest environments. There is also a shop onsite where you can take home rainforest related souvenirs.
There are no accommodations inside the park, but the nearby town of Dorrigo contains many nice hotels and bed and breakfasts, and is worthy of a visit in its own right. Sitting right in the heart of rainforest country, Dorrigo is a great home base when exploring the region’s scenic drives and national parks. The best time to visit the park is in the spring when the climate is mild and dry. Be prepared for higher periods of rainfall in the summer months, and cooler temperatures in the winter.
A hiker’s paradise, Blue Mountains National Park is located just an hour and a half outside Sydney. The park covers almost 250,000 hectares, and has a large variety of trails ranging from easy to difficult, with some even wheelchair accessible. Of particular note is the Grand Canyon Track, a medium difficulty hike that takes you right into the canyon, offering spectacular views. The Blue Pool Track takes visitors on an easy stroll to a beautiful swimming hole, and the Red Hands Cave Track explores an ancient cave with Aboriginal hand paintings. Guided tours are also available, including night time spotlight tours.
Although not permitted on the walking trails, bicycles are also a good way to explore the park. Additionally, four wheel drive and trail bike tours are available, and the park is home to horse trails as well. Canoeing and rock climbing are also favorite activities. The adventurous might want to check out the Katoomba Scenic Skyway, where visitors ride a cable car suspended three hundred and five meters above the valley floor. Tours can be taken to the Jenolan Caves, and visitors can also explore the ghost town of Hartley with its historic buildings. Katoomba has a six storey movie cinema that shows film footage of the Blue Mountains area.
How long to stay in the Blue Mountains depends upon how much you intend on doing there. A leisurely car trip can be undertaken, round trip from Sydney, in a day, and includes the tour through the park. However, if you plan on enjoying recreational opportunities, you’ll probably want to find local accommodations. There are several campgrounds and trailer sites in the park, or you can stay at one of the many private hotels located throughout the park.
A World Heritage site, this perfect island getaway is just a two hour flight away from Sydney. With unparalleled natural beauty, clean and spacious white sand beaches, and all the comforts of a resort town, Lord Howe Island makes a fantastic trip for vacationers from all walks of life.
The island is ideal for marine recreation and offers many fishing tours. The lagoon that provides such beautiful, unspoiled beaches also is home to an outstanding coral reef with over five hundred species of fish. You can virtually see the fish right through the water, however Scuba tours can also be taken further offshore. Bird watching is also popular on the island, as it is home to over one hundred thirty species, including fourteen species of seabirds that use the island as breeding grounds. Many walking trails cover the island, from leisurely and easy to more strenuous and advanced. The Mount Gower hike is a world renowned, eight hour trek that is not for the faint at heart but does provide spectacular scenery.
After a strenuous day trip up the mountain, what better way to soothe tired muscles than a luxurious spa treatment? The island is home to two luxury spas where you can unwind and relax. Fine dining and shopping abound, and the island also is home to recreational opportunities such as golf, lawn bowling, and tennis.
Only four hundred visitors are allowed on the island at one time, so be sure to book your hotel accommodations well ahead of time. Camping is not permitted on the island, and you will require proof of accommodation in order to take your flight. About three hundred fifty people live on the island permanently, and all accommodations are owned and operated by native islanders. There are few cars on the island, and they travel at a leisurely twenty-five miles per hour. Walking and cycling is the preferred mode of transportation, making this a very safe destination for families.
