Suggested-Itineries.Pdf
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This Group Planner is a resource for creating dynamic, diverse and experiential itineraries for your clients. It is a practical guide that will assist you in organising your group visit to the region. Providing truly authentic experiences, dramatic perspectives, dreamtime moments and sharing the beauty and uniqueness of our World Heritage listed surrounds is a priority and a privilege for our operators. The Blue Mountains Lithgow and A PLACE Oberon Region offers a world class SPECIAL array of nature, cultural, historical, lifestyle and adventure activities and experiences. We look forward to welcoming your group to our region. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is Australia’s most accessible wilderness. Stretching over one million hectares, the region is an inspiring and diverse mix of rainforest, blue-hazed valleys, golden stone escarpments, canyons, tall forests and windswept heathlands. It is one of Australia’s iconic landscapes and has received National Landscape status in The Greater Blue Mountains received World recognition of its world class Heritage Listing in 2000 in recognition of experiences of environmental and its outstanding universal natural value and cultural significance. conservation of biological diversity. Despite the descriptor, the Blue Mountains Six Aboriginal language groups treasure The region is Australia’s ‘cradle of are not, as the name suggests, mountains, their connections with the land — the conservation’ renowned for its bushwalking but in fact are dissected sandstone plateaux Darug, Gundungurra, Dharawal, Darkinjung, and inspiring scenery. This wonderful which shelter a rich diversity of plant and Wanaruah and Wiradjuri people. These wilderness is on Sydney’s doorstep but it animal life. There are rare and ancient plants associations include longstanding cultural can feel a world away. and isolated animal populations tucked practices passed down through generations away in its deep gorges and more than one — such as ceremony, songs, stories and art, hundred species of eucalypts (gum trees) as well as knowledge of landforms, climate, EASY TO GET TO. grow here. plants and animal life. IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET. 2 www.visitbluemountains.com.au Contents A Special Place 2 Natural Highs / Contents 3 Touch the Earth 4 Learn About History Where 4 History Began Meet the Makers 5 Enjoy some Slowdown time 5 Calendar of Events 6 HIGHS Attractions 8 NATURAL Transport & Touring 20 Activities 21 Dining 22 Accommodation 26 A Special Place - The Facts 34 Seasons and Weather 34 On Board Guiding Services 36 Blue Mountains Nature Based 36 Recreation License Things to Do in the Dark 36 Lookouts with Coach Access 37 and Facilities Easy To Get To 38 Emergency Assistance 38 Banks 38 Travel Distances and Coach 38 Drive Times Designated Tourist Coach 38 Parking on Public Roads Driver Instructions 39 Service Stations 40 Visitor Information Centres 40 Parks and Public Toilets 41 Did you know? 42 Touring Options 43 Itinerary Suggestions 44 Maps 48 Ten times older than the Grand Canyon, the Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Region is a true natural wilderness, a World Heritage area less than two hours from Australia’s biggest city yet offering you more than 300 walking tracks This wonderland can be shared in so many covering hundreds of kilometres. ways, because it’s a place you experience rather than visit. Whatever the activity It’s a place where you can see living fossils — the natural highs of the Blue Mountains the Wollemi Pine — older than history itself. Region will uplift the mind and spirit for Visit an ancient landscape carved when the years to come. earth was young, a landscape that continues to evolve today. You can go exploring on foot, on horseback, in four wheel drives or EASY TO GET TO. try canyoning, caving or climbing. IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET. www.visitbluemountains.com.au 3 The Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Region is a must see destination for any visitor to Sydney or New South Wales. Over one million hectares of World Heritage- listed bushland. More than 140 kilometres of walking trails. Hundreds of bird varieties, TOUCH dozens of reptile and amphibian species and mammals found on no other continent. All THE EARTH on the doorstep of Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, making the Blue Mountains Region Australia’s most accessible wilderness area. The views are seemingly endless. The fresh mountain air and the dramatic beauty of the region create a sense of peace and space. You can challenge yourself too, climbing, caving, canoeing and hiking through the soaring terrain. LEARN ABOUT HISTORY WHERE HISTORY BEGAN Stroll along the famous ‘Corridor of Oaks’ where an oak tree has been planted by, or Walk through cave systems etched into for, every Australian Prime Minister since In Australia’s Blue Mountains Region the earth 350 million years ago. Meet local Federation. guides and Aboriginal Discovery Rangers Explore the Blue Mountains by steam when you measure history in hundreds, rich with stories of their spirituality and the you board the historic Zig Zag Railway or thousands and millions of years. ancestor spirits who gave the animals and walk along roads and bridges carved by Discover trees that started growing plants their form during ‘the Dreaming’. convict labour. before humans began to write their The Blue Mountains Region is the birthplace histories down. See rock drawings of the country’s conservation movement and EASY TO GET TO. that have survived 20,000 years. its passion for bushwalking. IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET. 4 www.visitbluemountains.com.au Maybe it’s the clear air, the sharp light, the dusky blue beauty of the mountains themselves. Whatever the reason some of Australia’s most renowned artists and quality galleries have chosen to establish themselves within the region. The art on show in the Blue Mountains Region is incredibly varied. There’s a vibrant MEET community of artists, writers, composers, sculptors and performers. Discover local talent in galleries and museums or browse THE MAKERS in craft and antique shops offering everything from hand-crafted jewellery to photography, textiles and paintings. Yet there’s more to the region than museums and galleries. Here you can not only admire the art, you can also meet the people who make it. You can watch local artists, musicians and artisans because in the Blue Mountains Region, art is inspired by every valley and cliff top. ENJOYSOME SLOWDOWNTIME Food that will heighten your Senses It’s not just the air that makes the food taste better and the wine taste sweeter, it’s the legion of highly trained local and international chefs and the fresh produce from nearby farms, orchards, rivers and streams. Visit the Blue Mountains Region to spend a night or more and you will find dozens of Food, wine and coffee-shop conversation accommodation options offering luxuries are as integral as rock climbing and to suit every taste. Many boast high quality bushwalking. Whether you want fine restaurants, others serve High Tea, many a la carte restaurants with stunning views, have their own spa and massage facilities local organic produce or bakeries stuffed and others will soothe your senses with with sweet delights, the Blue Mountains The Blue Mountains Region is the soaring views of mountains and valleys. Region is the place to go. ultimate refuge; its diverse beauty is Best of all, the mountains region offers a the perfect setting for every form of unique combination of raw beauty and EASY TO GET TO. indulgence. gentle pleasures. IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET. www.visitbluemountains.com.au 5 The character and colours of the Blue Mountains Region change APRIL throughout the year. From spring Lithgow Agricultural Show. Come and time blooms to falling leaves, fresh FEBRUARY see all the attractions of the show. Oberon Agricultural Show. www.tourism.lithgow.com cool summers, to crisp and cosy Bring all the family along and join in the winters. Each season brings with fun of the Annual Oberon Show. Ironfest. Celebrate the festival of all it a calendar of unique events. www.oberonaustralia.com.au things metal through entertainment, music and art. Ironfest features the International Jazz in the Gardens at Norman Jousting Championship and Colonial Lindsay Gallery. The Friends of the re-enactments. www.ironfest.com.au Norman Lindsay Gallery invite you and your friends to this “ultimate jazz ‘Car Net’ Rally of Lithgow. Witness experience”, a musical picnic party to the spectacle of rally cars competing. celebrate the birthday of one of Australia’s Ceremonial start in the main street with the finest artists, Norman Lindsay. rally conducted in the nearby State forests. www.normanlindsay.com.au www.rallyoflithgow.com The Roaring 20’s...and all that Jazz! Concert in the Caves. Immerse yourself The 1920’s was a roaring time in the Blue in a concert in the Cathedral Chamber of Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon Region. the Lucas Caves. Jenolan Caves host regular Re-live this golden era by attending some musical performances throughout the year. of the many activities and events taking www.jenolancaves.org.au place during February. Frock Up. Jazz Up. Thomas at the Zig Zag Railway Come Up and celebrate The Roaring 20s... and all that Jazz! JANUARY www.visitbluemountains.com.au Australia Day Celebrations throughout Rydal Agricultural Show. The greatest the region. little show in the west. Rydal Showground. www.tourism.lithgow.com Wines of the West at The Carrington Hotel. This event showcases many of the Ironfest Lithgow Central West regions leading wineries with opportunity to taste the different wines. MARCH MAY Six Foot Track Marathon. This 45 www.thecarrington.com.au Great Train Weekend, Mount Victoria. kilometre race from the Explorers Tree near A great event for train buffs and everyone Australian Gnome Convention. Katoomba to Jenolan Caves is Australia’s alike. www.mountvictoria.biz Join in the fun as gnomes gather at largest 100% off road marathon.