When you mention Australia, you immediately think of endemic animals, vast plains, and an abundance of natural attractions, which residents carefully preserved in its original state, shielding it from any impact of civilization. The Blue Mountains National Park is famous for its eucalyptus forests, unique flora, fauna, and the finest haze that seems to cover this unspoiled corner of nature.
History and Geography of the Blue Mountains
Australian nature is unique and amazing. Because of the isolation of the mainland, the formation of landscape zones took its own, special way. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Australia National Park extend along the southeast and east coast and are covered in eucalyptus forests. Individual trees are more than 2 thousand years old, but they continue to grow and emit tiny particles of essential oils into the air. The light refracted in them, painted a bluish color, which gives the entire mountain range a fantastic view.
In the 18th century it was called Carmarthen. By order of the Governor of Sydney, the mountains were renamed the Blue Mountains, due to the optical effect of the refraction of sunlight through a suspension of eucalyptus oils.
The BlueMountains National Park System includes seven zones and one special area, all connected by a network of preserves. The Blue Mountains National Park was officially recognized in 1959. At that time, the area occupied was 630 hectares.
The dominant elevation is Mount Victoria, which reaches a mark of 1111 m. The composition of the rocks is quite unusual for the Great Dividing Range, the slopes are crossed by deep narrow gorges, dug by violent rivers, gaining strength and power after heavy rains. In stark contrast to the warm coastline of Sydney, the Blue Mountains take on an Australian winter of white snow caps at +20 degrees at the bottom.
In the 20th century opened 3 resorts, where the main types of outdoor activities were hiking trails, rock climbing, downhill rope, watching animals and birds from observation decks. At the beginning of the 21st century for a visit closed unique cliffs “Three Sisters”, which began large-scale erosion, but to admire them from a distance, no one forbids.
The Blue Mountains appear to be completely impassable on a map of Australia, a belief originally held by the valley’s first inhabitants. Gradual exploration of the slopes revealed several narrow but passable paths to the interior plains of the mainland.
Flora and Fauna of the Blue Mountains
In total, there are more than 90 species of eucalyptus on the slopes. Twelve species are endemic and grow only in the country’s national parks.
Many of the plants are considered rare and endangered. They are able to live only in the conditions of Australia, most attempts to acclimatize them to other continents have completely failed, and now carefully preserve in inviolability the wealth of nature that exists on the Australian continent.
They grow on the slopes of the mountains:
- tree ferns;
- mint;
- blue eucalyptus;
- Wolemi pines;
- Acacia.
Among the Blue Mountains’ long-lived residents, the eucalyptus trees lead the way. Wolem pines were long thought to be extinct until the first travelers, traveling from Sydney to conquer the peaks of the mountains, discovered them on the slopes of the ridge.
Of the animals there are several species of kangaroos, koalas, rabbit bandicoots, wombats, ring-tailed opossums, swamp wallabies, spotted marten marsupials, and golden littoral. The bird world is represented by the unique cave warbler, which lives only in the Blue Mountains, fire-breasted petrococks, bearded and yellow-breasted honeyeater, diamondback amadins, and Wong’s pigeons.
Sightseeing in the Blue Mountains
The first thing tourists notice is the gentle blue haze that hovers over the slopes of the Blue Mountains. During sunrise and sunset its color changes, creating extraterrestrial landscapes.
Excursion programs in the Blue Mountains National Park include:
- The Three Sisters rock formations and the giant staircase, consisting of 800 steps, leading to the very top;
- the aboriginal campsite at the Lyre Tail Lodge;
- Red Hands Cave with cave paintings and palm prints of ancient people;
- “singing trails” leading to sacred places;
- Gros valley, which is framed by two of the most popular trails;
- Wentworth Rainbow Falls.
In the ancient underground cave Jenolan are huge mines, the bottom of which no one has seen. Nine karst cavities are open for viewing. They are originally illuminated, the magnificent acoustics have enchanted musicians and symphonic concerts are regularly held in the caves. The Jurassic pine, one of the rarest plants in the world, grows in the botanical garden.
The night tours, which start after sunset, are very popular.
At this time nature is quiet, the mountains begin to glow with a barely perceptible inner light. Against a background of almost complete silence, only the cries of nocturnal inhabitants can be heard and the powerful even rustling of relict eucalyptus trees can be heard, mentally transporting us back many thousands of years.
You can travel through the protected areas on foot, on bicycles and all-terrain vehicles. Hiking trails resemble a tangled web, most often accompanied by tourists guides.
How do I get to the Blue Mountains National Park?
The starting point is in Sydney anyway. Several trains a day depart from the train station, and there is a tourist bus stop in Katumba, which departs as it fills up. It runs until 5 p.m., passing major attractions with long stops for sightseeing and photography.
A more convenient way to travel without restricting freedom and time-renting a car. The drive from the capital to the park takes no more than an hour, with magnificent views of mountain slopes, gorges, and relict groves on the way. There is an opportunity to deviate from the route and take your time to look at the most favorite places.
The Blue Mountains of Australia on the map of the continent
The Blue Mountains National Park is open all year, from 8 a.m. to 4-5 p.m., giving visitors the opportunity to touch one of the most ancient and amazing places on Earth, carefully preserved for posterity.
