ak e Windamere l Dungeree By Rylstone To Muswellbrook via Bylong Valley Way Kandos Aarons Pass 1 Dunns Swamp to Windsor 2 to Newcastle Castlereagh Hwy and Lithgow 7 M2 PENRITH To Mudgee 2 Mt Marsden Ilford 4 Putty to Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon M4 Bogee 7 M7 3 1 fala Road So SYDNEY Fu ll End Road Glen Alice AIRPORT 5 5 M5 Castlereagh Capertee Valley to Canberra Sofala Hwy Gl en Davis Road Glen Davis Wattle Flat Capertee Newnes Mellong GARDENS TURON OF STONE NATIONAL NATIONAL Castlereagh Hwy Wiagdon PARK PARK WOLLEMI NATIONAL PARK Peel Road Wolgan Valley Glow Worm Tunnel Cullen Bullen NEWNES WINDBURNDALE STATE NATURE RESERVE FOREST AND STATE FORESTS Portland 4WD To Sing Sunny Corner Wolgan Rd and Hu Wallerawang (from W Bathurst WOLLEMI GWH nge Road Ra NATIONAL PARK Meadow Flat Lake Wallace BLUE MOUNTAINS O’Connell Road NATIONAL PARK Macquarie R Yetholme GWH 4WD iv Mt Irvine er Clarence EUSDALE Rydal LITHGOW Bilpin ey NATURE y Road Lake Lyell Chifle Bell RESERVE Mt Wilson d Comleroy Rd O’Connell Sodwalls/Tarana Road GWH To Singleton Mt Of Roa Plains Line Kurrajong O’Connell York Bells Hartley 1061m and Hunter Vall Tarana Mt Tomah Heights Chifley Dam EVANS CROWN Great We Little Kurrajong Highway (GWH) 4WD Cow Flat NATURE RESERVE Hartley Fish River ste RICHM rn Darling Causeway Mt Banks North Richmond Mt Victoria 1062m y la Valle Mt Hay Lowes Mount Road Grose Valley 944m Kanimb d Wisemans Creek Blackheath a o R y STATE kesbur Hampton 4WD aw H FORESTS Cox’s River Rockley Road Shipley Medlow Bath Faulconbridge Winmalee GWH Wentworth malo Linden Springwood Rockley k i R Leura GWH OBERON c o Falls Lawson u ad D GWH Hazelbrook Valley Heights KATOOMBA Warrimoo Oberon Bullaburra Emu STATE The Three Sisters Woodford Blaxland Dam oi River Plains Burraga Road FORESTS Megalong mal GLENBROOK Fish River Jamis Abercrombie Caves Lapstone Duck on Valley (from Oberon 65km) Jenolan Caves Road 4 Roads not PENRITH Edith suitable for Megalong Valley The Northern Road Ro caravans ad or trailers BLUE MOUNTAINS r BLUE MOUNTAINS e NATIONAL PARK v Mt David Ri NATIONAL PARK n Jenolan Caves ea p e N Black Springs 4WD Cox’s River Shooters Hill KANANGRA -BOYD NATIONAL PARK Lake Burragorang To Southern Abercrombie Road Highlands, Illawarra Wollongong, Goulburn Burraga and Canberra Shooters Hill Road (from Penrith 270km) Porters Retreat Kanangra Walls CAMDEN Abercrombie Riv ABERCROMBIE Mt Werong Road er RIVER NATIONAL PARK N Yerranderie PICTON LEGEND Greater Blue Mountains Drive d) oa Discovery Trail Unsealed Road To Taralga, Goulburn SCALE and Canberra via Tablelands Way 0510 (Abercrombie R Wombeyan Caves (from Oberon 238km) KILOMETRES 2 www.visitbluemountains.com.au EASY TO GET TO. Contents IMPOSSIBLE World Heritage 4 Touch the Earth 5 Where History is Made 6 TO FORGET. Seasonal Celebrations 7 Enjoy Some Slowdown Time 8 Aboriginal Cultural Experiences 9 Crossings Bicentenary 10 Drive Itineraries 11 Annual Festivals and Events 13 Bushwalking Guide 14 Visitor Information Centres 15 Blue Mountains A Special Place 16 Accessible Wilderness 17 Natural Playground 18 Mountains of History 19 High Altitude Indulgence 20 Blue Mountains Maps 24 Lithgow Great Outdoors 28 Walk through Time 29 Festivals for Everyone 30 Soothe the Soul 31 Elevate Your Senses in Enjoy Some Slowdown Time 32 the Blue Mountains Region. Lithgow Map 33 Discover breathtaking Oberon landscapes, sit and listen Enquiries Relax and Recharge 36 to a rainforest stream or For further information or assistance Experience Nature 37 contemplate a wilderness contact Blue Mountains Lithgow Access Heritage 38 & Oberon Tourism stretching out to the horizon. Celebrate Nature 39 P: +61 (0)2 4785 0700 or 1300 922 492 Sinful Pleasures 40 F: +61 (0)2 4784 2806 or 1300 286 755 It’s the perfect place to Oberon Map 41 E: [email protected] reconnect with nature www.visitbluemountains.com.au Company Listings and rejuvenate your soul Blue Mountains Tourism Ltd. trading as Adventure and Nature 42 in Australia’s most accessible Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism Arts, Culture and Gardens 43 World Heritage listed ABN 14 084 310 298 Attractions 45 World Heritage House Retail Therapy and Service Providers 48 wilderness. 70 Great Western Highway Leura NSW 2780 Australia Transport and Touring 48 Bed and Breakfasts 49 Guesthouses, Grand Hotels Travel Distances and Times and Historic Retreats 50 Sydney to Katoomba » 100kms 1.5 hrs Resorts 52 Katoomba to Lithgow » 40kms 35 mins Self Contained Cottages Katoomba to Oberon » 77kms 1.15 hrs Apartments Lodges and Cabins 53 Katoomba to Jenolan Caves » 74kms 1.12 hrs Bushland and Country Retreats 54 Katoomba to Canberra (via motorways) » 330kms 3.5 hrs Motor Inns 55 Katoomba to Canberra (via Oberon) » 304kms 4.15 hrs Budget and Caravan Parks 56 Katoomba to Hunter Valley (via motorways) » 275kms 3.2 hrs Information Directory 57 Katoomba to Mudgee » 164kms 2 hrs Accommodation Index 59 Katoomba to Wollongong (via Picton) » 160kms 2 hrs Katoomba to Bathurst » 100kms 1.15 hrs WORLD HE RITAGE Bushwalking Stretching over 1 million hectares, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region is an inspiring mix of rainforest, blue-hazed With so much to see and do in valleys, golden sandstone escarpments, intriguing canyons, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and towering forests and windswept heathlands. Oberon region, staying at least An iconic Australian landscape, the Greater Blue Mountains gained one night is a must. UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2000 and National Landscape status to acknowledge its world-class experiences of environmental Create an unforgettable multi- and cultural significance. day escape with world-class On the doorstep of Australia’s biggest city (Sydney), the region nature, cultural, historical, boasts more than 140km of walking trails and hundreds of plant lifestyle and adventure activities and animal species found nowhere else. and experiences including the Relax in the fresh air. Rejuvenate with luxury health and beauty world’s steepest railway at Scenic treatments. Dine in award-winning eateries. Soak up art and craft World; the coolest garden at and indulge in retail therapy. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Gain insight into ancient Aboriginal culture: visit cave paintings Mount Tomah; and the 6-star and listen to stories of the Dreamtime. Learn about pioneering Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. European settlers: walk roads and bridges carved by convicts. 4 www.visitbluemountains.com.au With sheer canyons, vast wilderness and temperate climate, Ten times older than the Grand the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region is a haven Canyon, the Blue Mountains, of unforgettable experiences in a spectacular destination. Lithgow and Oberon region is Pitch yourself against the natural environment with adventure less than two hours from Sydney. caving, canyoning, climbing, abseiling, mountain bike riding and trail running. A range of experts tailor Experience the might of ancient rivers kayaking/canoeing; excursions which immerse visitors gentle waterways on a Lilo; or the thrill of whitewater rafting in the unforgettable landscape. before a majestic mountain backdrop. From self-drive tours, lookouts Test the muscle of modern technology — from Segway electric onto famous natural landmarks transporters to 4WDs — on myriad tracks. and interpretive signed walks Bask in the World Heritage Area tranquillity while fishing, in the bush to adventures with bird watching or horseback riding. guides and Aboriginal walkabout Experience diverse exotic and native vegetation on a garden tour, cultural tours, the region has truffle hunt or mushroom foraging. Or pull on walking boots something for everyone. and take to a bushwalking track. Then take in the natural world by night on a bushwalk, around a campfire and sleeping under the stars. TOUCH THE EARTH Taking in the sights www.visitbluemountains.com.au 5 Visitors can experience history through diverse experiences — from prehistoric trees, Aboriginal culture and Jenolan Caves to convict-built roads, industrial From nature itself and Aboriginal culture to marks of European age remnants and some settlement, heritage is a star attraction of the region. of the most iconic man-made Six Aboriginal language groups treasure connections with this land landmarks and attractions — Darug, Gundungurra, Dharawal, Darkinjung, Wanaruah and in the land including Scenic Wiradjuri. Gain an insight into the world’s oldest culture by learning World, the Hydro Majestic about the Dreamtime from rock art or an Aboriginal guide. and Carrington hotels. Learn about pioneering European settlers, walk roads and bridges Also join the Blue Mountains first carved from the bush by convict labour; amble along some of Crossings Bicentenary the oldest bush tracks in Australia in the birthplace of the country’s conservation movement; and stroll along the Corridor of Oaks 2013–2015 to mark the first where past Prime Ministers have each planted an oak tree. recognised European crossing of the Blue Mountains. See remnants of the industrial age and soak up the opulent essence still found at numerous grand hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and cafes which make up one of Australia’s first tourist destinations. WHERE HISTORY IS MADE Aboriginal culture 6 www.visitbluemountains.com.au SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS Roaring 20s Festival With a vibrant community of artists, writers, composers, sculptors Artists of all mediums continue and performers, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region to be inspired by the magnificent offers an exceptional array of arts and cultural experiences. natural landscape of Australia’s Discover local talent on show and in action within craft and most accessible wilderness, antique shops, galleries and museums including Blue Mountains while the region boasts a year- Cultural Centre featuring the World Heritage exhibition — into the Blue, devoted to the environment, history and culture of the region. round program of exciting events including the Blue Mountains At night the sky lights up with stars, cinema screens flicker Crossings Bicentenary 2013– and many of the region’s most interesting creatures (human and animal) come out to play.