Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains is a mountain range in New South Wales that stretches across a limestone plateau cut by deep gorges reaching 760 meters and lined with steep sandstone cliffs. Eucalyptus forests cover the slopes and valleys, while narrow canyons slice through the terrain.

Gundungurra and Darug tribes lived here for 22,000 years before European settlers attempted to cross the area in the late 1700s. A group finally succeeded in 1813, opening the route into the interior.

The area carries a name that refers to the blue tint visitors see when looking across the forested valleys, a phenomenon noticed by early travelers. Walking tracks wind through dense bushland that Australians often visit on weekends to escape city life.

Katoomba serves as a starting point for visits to the region and can be reached by train from Sydney in around two hours. Walking tracks vary in difficulty and length, so a quick check before heading out helps.

The blue tint comes from scattered ultraviolet light in the atmosphere, not from eucalyptus oil as often assumed. Eight national parks lie within the range and together protect more than one million hectares.