Just to the west of Sydney lie the Blue Mountains. This region is one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations that boasts both fantastic scenery as well as top of the range holiday accommodation. The region has some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, and anyone who has stood at the three sisters lookout and enjoyed the spectacular panorama across the Jamieson Valley would defiantly agree. The Blue Mountains are within east reach of Sydney which also makes it a popular weekend destination for frazzled city workers. You can arrive by car, train or coach or as part of one of the many organised tours that visit this spectacular region.

The Blue Mountains have become a popular residential region as well and towns like Blackheath and those closer to the foot of the mountains are full of locals who commute to work in the western suburbs of Sydney. Katoomba and Leura are the two most popular holiday spots. They are both full of quality resorts, golf courses, shopping plazas, restaurants and cafes. Everything you need for a relaxing holiday is here. The scenery is spectacular. The Three Sisters lookout is usually the first stop and the view from here is sensational. You can see for miles around the sandstone escarpment of the Jamieson Valley. Take a ride on the scenic railway that descends at a steep angle into the valley below or cross part of the Megalong valley on a cable car strung a thousand feet above the treetops on the valley floor below.

Some of the resorts here date back to the Thirties and beyond and are full of wonderful architecture and stories. Places like the Hydro Majestic hotel at Medlow Bath have attracted the likes of royalty and movie stars from around the world during its long life. Now you can also choose to stay at a modern resort and enjoy a game at a top quality resort golf course. An hours drive from Katoomba will take you to the fabulous Janolan Caves. You can stay here if you like at the beautiful old sandstone Caves House. During the winter months it has a special ambience with its open fire places and old world dining rooms. It is set in a superb forest setting and the caves are a real treat. Visitors have been coming here for decades to stay at Caves House and then take the many tours that show of the majesty of Australia’s best known cave system.

Most overseas visitors enter Australia through Sydney airport and this makes the Blue Mountains one of the first tourist areas that they see. It certainly gives our visitors a wonderful first impression of our country when they have the chance to see something as beautiful as the Blue Mountains right on the doorstep of our largest city.

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