Only a two-hour train ride from the largest city in Australia, terhamparlah Blue Mountains whose origins narrated in many versions by Aboriginal people.

Starting from a desire to find an atmosphere far from the hustle of metropolitan Sydney, I find a destination that attracts attention, namely the Blue Mountains, located about 100 kilometers from the city center. That stretches along 96 kilometers is touted as the region has a relaxed atmosphere and natural, and offers closer access to Australia’s natural wildlife.

Romance of the Three Sisters

Most popular locations visited by tourists in the Blue Mountains is Echo Point which is a viewing point to see the unique rock formations nicknamed The Three Sisters. Three rocks were lined up side by side that rises 900 meters in the middle of the valley can be enjoyed from the two-story platform that has been provided by the local government.

Not satisfied with just seeing from the platform, I find a way to get a closer look at the Three Sisters. Apparently one of the rocks can be accessed through the facility purposely built for the sake of tourism. After walking through the area of ​​trees for five minutes, there is a staircase built of iron and wire construction with the terrain dropped sharply from the ground heading down the valley. Along the way I passed by some visitors who were winded up the stairs to return to Echo Point.

Among Aboriginal people, there are many legends which tells the origin of the Three Sisters, including the story of three sisters named Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo that his father was ordered to be converted into stone to protect them from the tribal war. But that changed their shamans killed in battle so that spell can not be reversed and three girls into stone until today.

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Scenic World

Katoomba is the largest city and the most visited in the Blue Mountains. The city developed into a coal mining region after JB North established the Katoomba Coal Mine in 1879. The coal is mined from the mountain side near Orphan Rock and transported from the valley floor to the top using the cable car. Once the mine is no longer in operation at the beginning of the 20th century, Katoomba later became a resort town, while the chariot track itself is now used for tourist attractions.

Managed by Scenic World (www.scenicworld.com.au), this facility can be used for tourists who want to enjoy the panoramic view of the Blue Mountains without a lot of walking. I had tested the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger train in the world with a slope of 52 degrees rail.

In addition, there Scenic Skyway, a kind of cable car the route crossed the Jamison Valley in the path along 720 meters. While enjoying the breeze coming through the bars of the train walls, I can admire the 360 ​​degree view is spectacular, the Three Sisters on one side and Katoomba Falls height of 240 meters on the other side.

Another option is the Scenic Cableway who holds the title as the largest cable car in Australia with a maximum carrying capacity of 84 people. Traveling as far as 545 meters down to the Jamison Valley, and shortly after the cable car through the dense forest, the panorama stretched in the form of Orphan Rock which was once an information guide icon Three Sisters Blue Mountains before skyrocketing popularity.

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Beyond Katoomba

Besides Katoomba, Leura the neighboring city is also often used as a tourist destination by foreign tourists and weekend destinations by Sydneysiders. Similar to Katoomba, rows of cafes and vintage boutiques adorn the main streets of Leura that are in front of the train station. If Katoomba has Yellow Deli Cafe (214 Katoomba Street) serving a variety of sandwiches, coffee, organic tea, fruit juice, as well as a breakfast menu other, in Leura there was Lily’s Pad Cafe (19 Grose Street) serving housemade baked goods, such as muffins, cakes , quiche, as well as a variety of salads with a unique combination.

Leura there are also several walking tracks that path passes through beautiful spots, such as Leura Cascades, Bridal Veil Falls, and Gordon Falls. All tracks are guaranteed safe because the existing track, just select just want to track how long its duration.