What are the Blue Mountains?
The Blue Mountains are a rugged region of sandstone plateaus, cliffs and forests about 100 kilometres west of Sydney. They are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
The name comes from the blue haze that hangs over the valleys. The haze is linked to tiny droplets of oil released by eucalyptus trees, which scatter blue light. The region is not true mountains but a deeply eroded plateau.
The Greater Blue Mountains Area was added to the World Heritage List in 2000 for its eucalypt diversity. It covers about one million hectares, including Blue Mountains, Wollemi and Kanangra-Boyd national parks.
Towns and walks
Towns such as Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth Falls and Blackheath sit along the ridge, reached by train from Sydney in about two hours. Visitors enjoy lookouts, waterfalls, bushwalks, canyoning and cosy cafes.
The Darug and Gundungurra peoples are among the Traditional Owners of the region. Their stories and rock art sites are part of the area's cultural heritage.
Did You Know?
The rare Wollemi pine, once known only from fossils, was discovered alive in a remote Blue Mountains gorge in 1994.