Choose another map, showing:

• Australia
• Oceania
• Eurasia, Africa & Pacific
• The World

Other entries in Katoomba

Blue Mountains

Having decided we needed to escape the rush of the city we headed to the opposite end of the spectrum and inland to the blu mountains.it was sensational.the views over the eucalypt rainforest and canyons was well worth getting up at 5am and hiking for 2 hours up a mountain for.wed joined an oz experience trip who took us first to see kangaroos on the lower slopes and edge of the national park before we headed further in for a walk round waterfalls and for a view of the blue mountains.it was a good hike and as usual i fell on my arse and added another few cuts and scrapes to my collection.we used the railway to get back to the top which was a thrill ride of its own as its the steepest scenic railway in the world.which would be bad enough and is made even worse when you go up backwards.i was glad though we hadnt come down on it as i would have freaked.after all that fresh air we were dropped at our yha hostel (rated the best in oz last year, and you can understand why when it looks more like a hotel).we decided to book onto a few things for the next day.the other girls fancied a sedate horse trip through and over a few mountains which sounded ace but i couldnt resist having a go at abseiling in such a venue.the guy i spoke to promised fine weather and adventure so i signed up to the empress falls abseil as after a few practice ones in morning wed get to go down a waterfall in the afternoon, what could be better!!i got up for my early start tyo drizzle and mist, great start!!got to the place and was given a safety talk and signed my if i fall i wont sue disclaimer and the  sorted out my climbing gear; the usual harness, gloves, helmet and an added extra a wet suit!but not a surprise as a waterfall is wet.we spent the morning doing first samll jumps and then they gradually got bigger and bigger with a few over hangs and free falls but no biggy as ive done a bit before and the guys incharge were ace.then  we had a great lunch on top of the rocks.in the afternoon we headed over to the waterfalland the guides were telling us there were a few water jumps up until the main waterfall, no problem i thought with all the gear weve got.we got there and trudged through the rainforest for a bit before donning our wet suits because you cant put them on at the top, which made sense.then we got to a lookout and he pointed out the waterfall which was stunning, so excited.we then  kept walking in the opposite direction (bit odd) before we had to then scramble down a bank to this river.we were then told to slide on our bums along the river which had a gentle slope.me thinking this is funny but hey.then we got to a crevice part we had to scramble through and he tells us we have to doa water jump.i got to the edge and freaked.not only was there no rope, it ws a hell of a way down and there was just a black hole of water beneath us (hardly appealing) and was then informed we had to jump out as if we didnt wed be bouncing off a few rocks near to the edge!!inspiring!!not the only one with issues about this us nervous folk stuck to the back and giggled.another girl went, paniced half way and rebounded off the rock into the water, i was so enthusiastic after that!!when it came to my turn i literally had to have a shove off the edge as i think by the time id backed off a few times he was scepticle i was gonna do it and didnt have time to mess about.i hit the water with my mouth open so water fill ed nose and throat followed and had to be forcibly dragged out by two guys in our group.i was starting to wonder what the hell id signed up to!!!we had more clambering through canyons and four more water jumps after this that thrilled me at each of course.one wasnt deep enough to jump into so we had to fall onto our backs into it "like wed been shot in james bond" as our guide put it.i was so thrilled to reach the actual waterfall as were the others.we had to wait to down one by one and so nervous chatted started once more.the stupid thing was i was one of the few that had no issue with the actual waterfall abseil , this was what id come for,my guide at the bottom was genuinely shocked at my fairly smooth desent with out the wimpering that hed put up with the previud hour every other time id been faced with a waterfall.i didnt like to point out to him that if he hadnt noticed this time i had a rope attached and surely that improves anyones confidence!!!having done it i can say i had a great day, honestly i loved it!!but i have no intention of ever siging up to canyoning knowingly!!so after great description i advise all that you should try its worth the tears!!!the next day was far more relaxed as it was heavily raining (yes that does happen in oz, no one told me though!!!!) and so we chilled out with monopoly (a surprisingly dangerous game with my play mates!!) and tea, very english!a great place end well worth the visit, though on a day when you can see further than the end of your nose!!

Add to del.icio.us Add to reddit

Photos / videos of "Blue Mountains":