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.
Hosting an Olympic games leaves an indelible mark on a city, and Sydney is certainly no exception. Beginning as an urban renewal project in the 1980s, the original site contained the Australia Center, Bicentennial Park, and Sports Center. Now however, the 640 hectare site is a full township built with green initiatives including solar powered light standards and narrow streets designed for pedestrian use.
The park remains a favorite destination for tourists to the city who want to capture for themselves some of the excitement of the Olympics. Because of the size of the park, the best idea is to stop off at the visitor center first to obtain information, maps, and book your guided tours. One of the best ways to start is with the self-guided audio tour that acquaints you with the major attractions and also includes entry into the Aquatic Centre and the 17th Floor Observation Deck where visitors can take in some astonishing views of the area. This tour can also be combined with a bike rental if you prefer to get around on two wheels rather than on foot. Other unique tours include a tour of the Aquatics Centre where you can test the pool out for yourself, the Explorer Tour which highlights the way the area has been designed, and the Games Trail Walking Tour that explores in more depth the Olympic heritage of the venue. Be aware that you’ll need to call ahead to pre-book some of the tours.
In addition to the tours, visitors can also check out the multiple recreational opportunities, including the trapeze lessons that take place near Telstra Stadium. The park contains quality accommodations and dining options and is also home to many fantastic arts and culture events. For those who prefer the natural world, bring a picnic and enjoy some birdwatching. With no shortage of things to see and do, the Olympic Park is an excellent destination for anyone visiting Sydney!
