After Echo Point, we drove around Cliff Drive to Scenic World. Scenic World Blue Mountains is perched on the western escarpment of Katoomba Falls. This state of the art complex that now houses the Scenic Railway, Skyway and Cableway had simple beginnings.
Scenic Railway
The Scenic Railway was originally built to haul coal and shale from the valley floor in 1878. Mining ceased in 1895 and the machinery lay dormant until 1928, when it was opened again to transport day trippers from the valley floor. Initially, it carried twelve people and only ran on weekends and public holidays. Over the years, the carriage has been upgraded and now carries 84 people in three cars. The cars are hauled by winch up 415 metres with a maximum gradient of 52 degrees, the steepest incline railway in the world.
Scenic Skyway
The original Skyway was built in 1958, (the original car is on display near the entrance to the car park) utilising old mining equipment. The cable car ran east from the western escarpment and stopped about 330m and then returned. After many setbacks in the first few years because of equipment failure, it ran basically unchanged carrying hundreds of thousands of tourists until it was replaced by the new Scenic Skyway in 2005. This modern Cable car boasts an electric glass floor with views to the valley floor 270m below.
Scenic Cableway
This state of the art cableway takes you 545m into the Jamison Valley. It is the steepest aerial cable car in the southern hemisphere and is wheel chair friendly. It runs parallel to the Scenic Railway and goes over the top of the tree line and then descends through the trees to the valley floor close to the Scenic Railway station.
Scenic Walkway
Over 2.8 kilometres of board walk on the forest floor, 380m of which is wheel chair friendly. This board walk is accessible by either the Railway or Cableway.
Bush Walking
The most popular walk is from The Three Sisters to the Scenic Railway, descending The Giant Staircase and following the valley floor to Scenic World’s Cableway and Railway. Another favourite, is to start from Scenic World, descend to the valley floor and head to the Ruined Castle, a rock outcrop eight kilometres (five miles) south. Allow five to six hours and bear in mind Scenic World’s last trips from the valley floor are at 4.45pm. There are stairs to the top, but it is a long climb.
There are also Blue Mountains tours which include bush walking, like the Blue Mountains Walkabout and a one Day Blue Mountains Tour, which includes a two hour bush walk. If you would prefer short walks there is the Blue Mountains Adventure Trek.
Amenities and Picnic Area
There is visitor information on site with a large souvenir shop. There is a revolving Skyway Restaurant, Cableway Cafe and a kiosk for snacks. There are toilets and handicapped facilities.
A small grassed area next to the car park is available for picnics. There are limited picnic tables and displays of old equipment, including the original Skyway car.
Transport – Scenic World Blue Mountains
Free parking is available in a multi story car park.
There are many transport options to Scenic World, Blue Mountains, train, bus, coach or private car. There is a Trolley Shuttle and Explorer Bus around the major tourist attractions, daily tickets can be purchased.
Jeff, Parks in Sydney.
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Twitter: newlifeonroad
says:
Hi Kerry,
I love the blue mountains. When our oldest was a baby I walked down all of those stairs with him in a baby pouch at the front of me, and then we caught the train back up!
The next day my legs were like jelly
Cheers
Lisa
Lisa Wood recently posted..How Can I Blog And Travel
Hi Kerry, I havent been to the blue mountains before but it seems like there is alot to do there! Looks like a wonderful place to add to my must visits!
Tegan recently posted..Clubbing dresses
Hi Tegan
The Blue Mountains is a very popular tourist destination. If you come to Sydney you definately need to put it on your list.
Twitter: dinnerintenmin
says:
Hi Kerry,
Scenic World in the Blue Mountains is looking fantastic following the upgrade a few years ago. It’s such a great place to take visitors – and only 2 hours drive from Sydney.
The Giant Staircase walk is worth doing. I’ve done it both ways and going down the stairs is definitely the hardest – my legs were shaking at the bottom!
Great post Kerry
Jan Littlehales recently posted..Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes – in Ten Minutes
Thanks Jan, My husband Jeff wrote this post, I am trying to encourage him to do more posts. I love the Blue Mountains I have walked down the stairs and would have thought it would be harder going up than down. But until you try it you don’t know.