Recently named a World Heritage Area, awarded for the large tracts of eucalypt forest and the recently discovered 60 million year old Wollemi Pines, the beautiful Blue Mountains lie one hours drive to the west of Sydney. As the sun is refracted through suspended droplets of the aromatic eucalyptus oil a 'blue-ish' haze is created giving the Mountains with their name. Their breathtaking views and excellent scenery can act as a timely escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The seemingly endless national parks, overflowing with rainforests and picturesque waterfalls, attract hikers and bush-walkers of all standards. Bushwalking tracks lace the landscape, providing the ideal way to experience and appreciate this unique environment. Other activities synonymous with the Mountains include abseiling, white water rafting, horse riding, and rockclimbing . For visitors seeking a quieter pace, wander through the many galleries, antique stores, gardens and leafy malls nestled throughout the picturesque mountain villages and traditional guest houses. A host of quality restaurants, cafes, and hotel also await lovers of excellence.

Further out on the western fringe of the range, the awe-inspiring Jenolan Caves and the Zig Zag Railway near Lithgow are not to be missed.

At the peak of the Blue Mountains is the town of Katoomba, the regions main centre. With leafy streets, quaint shops, and streetside cafes, tourists flock from everywhere to experience this idyllic township, and to get a good view of the Three Sisters. This famous rock formation can also be viewed from the Scenic Skyway, a cable car suspended over the Jamison Valley. Many other activities are available here, such as rock climbing and hiking, and their proximity to Katoomba is excellent.

Leura, Katoomba's sister town, is perhaps the prettiest of all the Mountain villages. The leafy streets are lined with stylish boutiques, shops, galleries and restaurants. In town, Leuralla is an Art-Deco Mansion set on five hectares of beautiful English gardens, housing the best collection of toys and model trains in Australia. Out of town, the nearby Sublime Point is a great cliff-top lookout, and Gordon Falls Reserve is a scenic and popular picnic spot. It's also and home to some of the highest quality mountain retreats around.

Just to the west of Leura is quiet and friendly place of Wentworth Falls. Wentworth Falls mark the beginning of a network of spectacular walking tracks and to the south of the town, are the 300m high falls of the same name. Steps lead all the way to the bottom - but be warned, once down there the hardest part of the walk is yet to come, the walk back up to the top! The treks worth the effort however, if not for the stunning views of the Jamison Valley, but for the walk itself.

Blackheath lies between Grose valley and Megalong valley to the west of Katoomba. The views on offer in these valleys are quite remarkable, and thanks to the number of walkways and lookout points, features such as Hanging Rock can be experienced first hand. The Blackheath Craft Markets are held on the third Sunday of each month.

Mt. Victoria is a classified National Trust town located a few kilometres west of Blackheath. The town hosts a museum at the train station and a small cinema as well as some charming historic buildings, including an 1870's church. Like most settlements in the Blue Mountains there are some splendid views and picnic facilities.