dr.pepper (Travellerspoint)

Destination: Blue Mountains, Australia

Time: 8 days

Cost (w/o airfare): $460.50 USD

Total Cost (including airfare) / (11 June 2008 - 19 June 2008):

• New York to Sydney: $2156 USD total cost: $2616.50 USD
• Miami to Sydney: $2165 USD total cost: $2625.50 USD
• Los Angeles to Sydney: $1751 USD total cost: $2211.50 USD
• London to Sydney: $1314 USD total cost: $1774.50 USD
• Sydney to Sydney: free! total cost: $460.50 USD

Description: This is a simple 8-day getaway takes you through Sydney and on to one of Australia’s most beautiful areas: the UNESCO protected Blue Mountains. You will spend time wandering around charming country towns and majestic natural scenery. You’ll get to see two of Australia’s most popular attractions: the Jenolan Caves and the Three Sisters.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in Sydney. Catch a train from the airport to Central Station. From there, walk to the hotel.
  $12 for train, $5 for food, $26 for accommodation at the Railway Square YHA (per person) = $43 USD
• Day 2: Spend a day sightseeing around Sydney. Within easy walking distance are such attractions as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour.
  $15 for food, $26 for accommodation = $41 USD
• Day 3: Catch an early train from Sydney Central Station to Katoomba. Enjoy the 2 hour train trip westwards, as the stunning Blue Mountains start to unfold around you. Grab a bite to eat and relax in Katoomba for the rest of the day. Be sure to visit some of its antique shops and second hand bookstores, which are easily found along the main street. For your evening’s entertainment, head down to the local pub (part of the Carrington Hotel) and mix with the locals over a beer.
  $50 for a 7-day RailPass (Central to Katoomba), $15 for food, $5 for beer, $23 for accommodation at the Blue Mountains YHA Hostel = $93 USD
• Day 4: Start the day early and walk to the southern edge of Katoomba, where Echo Point offers a prime view of the Blue Mountains’ premier attraction: the Three Sisters. This gorgeous rock formation is pitted against the backdrop of the Jamison Valley and distant mountains. Purchase a Scenic Pass for Scenic World and catch the Skyway across the valley. This 6-minute rides offer stunning 360 degree views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the Jamison Valley. Once you’re on the other side of the valley, you can take either a Railway or Cableway down to the valley floor (on return, take the other one back). Two kilometres of easy boardwalk greets you here, allowing you to get an up close look into the heart of the Jamison Valley. After you’ve caught either the Railway or Cableway back up, you can hop back on the Scenic Skyway and let it carry you back across to the other side. Later in the afternoon, catch a train to Leura (covered by your 7-day RailPass) and wander around the town’s cute shops, delicious cafés and Toy Museum. You won’t have any trouble finding a nice place to grab dinner here.
  $15 for food, $24.50 for Scenic Pass, $23 for accommodation = $62.50 USD
• Day 5: After breakfast, your coach tour for the Jenolan Caves leaves Katoomba at 9:45 am. The Jenolan Caves are a remarkable group of limestone caverns and one of the Blue Mountains’ iconic attractions. They are also the world’s oldest open caves. As part of your coach tour, organised through Blue Mountains Bus Co., you will have admission to Lucas and Orient Caves, two of the ten caves which have been opened to the general public. You will also have time to explore some of the easy bush walks around the caves, before the coach returns you to Katoomba at 5:00 pm.
  $15 for food, $69 for coach tour, $23 for accommodation = $117 USD
• Day 6: Catch an early train from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls, a small town of 5,000 people best known for the stunning waterfalls that skirt its southern edge. Once you arrive in town, head south and get onto the Charles Darwin Walk, which provides an easy hike to Wentworth Falls and numerous lookouts. You may want to pack a lunch for this hike, as it is easy to spend quite a few hours wandering around nature. Later in the afternoon, return to Katoomba and head over to catch a screening of ‘The Edge’ Movie on the giant screen at Edge Cinema. This spectacular movie will open your eyes to the stunning beauty that is the Blue Mountains.
  $15 for food, $13 for movie ticket, $23 for accommodation = $51 USD
• Day 7: The early bird catches the worm: Force yourself out of bed at 5:30 am and walk to Echo Point to enjoy a peaceful sunrise over the Three Sisters. The Sisters are truly beautiful at dawn - and you won’t have to worry about hordes of tourists either. Once you’ve soaked in the view, walk along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk towards the Three Sisters. Descend the Giant Stairway a little way and cross a bridge to the First Sister, offering gorgeous views of the Jamison Valley. Then keep on descending the Giant Stairway into the valley itself. Following along Federal Pass walking track, enjoy the serene atmosphere of Leura forest. This walk takes up to 4 hours and will wind itself back to the top of the cliff, from which you can walk back into Leura and enjoy a rewarding lunch. After lunch, return to Katoomba or take it easy in Leura for the afternoon. For a relaxed evening’s entertainment, try your luck at one of Katoomba’s cafés, which often have live music.
  $15 for food, $23 for accommodation = $38 USD
• Day 8: It’s time to return to Sydney. Grab yourself a nice breakfast at one of the cafés along Main Street before catching the train back to Sydney. Enjoy the scenery one last time as your train passes through the Blue Mountains. Back in Sydney, fly home or keep travelling to see more of Australia.
  $15 for food = $15 USD

Notes: This itinerary is suggested for those with limited time and limited money. If you can afford to spend a few more days in the Blue Mountains, there are dozens of great bushwalks and cute little towns well worth visiting. Please also note that accommodation and food costs are just suggestions. It is quite possible to spend more or less depending on your travel style.

More Information: Check the official tourism website of the Blue Mountains for more ideas about the sights mentioned above or other attractions in the Blue Mountains. There are also a few helpful guides about Katoomba, the Three Sisters and the Blue Mountains at Travellerspoint’s wiki travel guide.