Australia Blue Mountains Tour

Blue Mountains

Destination information for Blue Mountains

Emu Plains, New South Wales, Australia is located on the western side of the Nepean River, at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

The suburb of Leonay is the southern boundary, with Emu Heights the western boundary. Along with the suburb of Penrith, Emu Plains is one of the oldest districts in the Penrith Local Government Area.

It is situated in pleasant and peaceful surroundings enriched with the colour of jacaranda trees and autumn tones. Emu Plains has many historic buildings and sites to visit. Situated just five minutes drive from Penrith, Emu Plains is ideally located to all amenities.

Emu Plains is located on the west side of the Nepean River extending to the foot of the Blue Mountains. Part of this name (i.e. "Emu") is thought to have originated with the sighting of emus there when the country was first explored by Europeans in the late 1700's. A survey map of 26th August 1790 has the annotation "saw three cassowaries" marked near the ford. Early explorers often confused emu with cassowary. The locality was first known as "Emu Island" - the name thought to have originated with Captain Watkin Tench (1758?-1833), who first explored the region.

In Government Orders of 16 July 1814, Governor Macquarie referred to "Emu Plains (hitherto erroneously called Emu Island)", which officially heralded the area's change of name. And again in October 1814, George Suttor in his correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks, mentioned that the name Emu Plains had recently been changed from Emu Island. Up to this date the area had obviously been thought of as an island. The reason for this can possibly be explained by a contemporary observer, Barron Field (1786-1846), Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Field noted that Emu Plains had been called "Emu Island" because the plains had, at times, been turned into an island by the "washing of the mountains when the Nepean ......flooded". Another more recent explanation (offered by the late local historian and resident Arthur W. Street) claims that the name Emu Island originated because the Nepean River was divided near Emu Ford, thus forming an island. The island, Mr. Street claims, has slowly disappeared through constant excavation of gravel for building purposes. A further resolution of the confusion is detailed in the book Emu Plains by Joan Steege, where she explores all the divergent theories regarding its naming.

Governor Macquarie established a government farm at Emu Plains in 1819. Here convicts cleared the land and grew wheat, maize, tobacco and other crops for thirteen years. Land was not available for private settlement until the early 1830's, when a town named Emu was surveyed.

On 25 October, 1963, the Emu Plains area was transferred from the Blue Mountains City Council to Penrith City Council.

Penrith Area, New South Wales

For aquatic adventure and outdoor recreation.

Easily accessible from Sydney's centre and located at the foothills of the breathtaking Blue Mountains, Penrith has plenty to offer its visitors. It has developed a reputation as an area specialising in exciting outdoor adventure activities, including white water rafting at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Penrith is blessed with a variety of natural beauty. From the awe-inspiring vantage point of The Rock Lookout, watch the Nepean River crawl through a bush-clad gorge that's been carved from sandstone over time. Gain an intimate experience of the inspiring Nepean Gorge by hiring a canoe or relaxing on the historic Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler. The Blue Mountains National Park spreads to a hazy horizon and to the north, 700 hectares of lakes offer a vast recreation area.

A great way to discover the region is to go on the Penrith Valley Heritage Drive, an informative self-guided tour of historic sites and houses.


Penrith Highlights.....

Immerse yourself in a unique cultural adventure and try some bush tucker, learn to throw a boomerang and more - at Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural & Education Centre, which presents the story of the Darug people. Experience the thrill of a whitewater raft along the course of champions at Penrith Whitewater Stadium. Visit the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest to view some of the many exhibitions as well as a stunning sculpture garden and heritage houses. Be pampered at Hopewood Health Centre or relax at a local B&B. Visit Panthers World of Entertainment - the biggest licensed club in Australia, with Aqua Golf, live entertainment, bars and restaurants. Discover the fascinating histroy of Penrith Valley on the Penrith Valley Heritage Drive, an informative self-drive tour of historic houses and locations.

Blue Mountains Area, New South Wales

The World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains have become one of the most consistently popular holiday regions of Australia. Numerous visitors return year after year to enjoy the wide range of sporting facilities and outdoor activities in the healthy, invigorating climate. The breathtaking scenic beauty, nostalgic appeal and opportunity for relaxation attract more than a million visitors each year. The Blue Mountains are easily reached by road and rail from Sydney in less than 2 hours, while one day round trip coach services run daily from Sydney to Katoomba. The wide diversity of accommodation and great range of activities available makes it an ideal destination for a stay of longer duration. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Blue Mountains dates back at least 14 000 years ago. Many camp sites, art sites, axe grinding grooves, rock engravings and stone tools and flakes exist throughout the Blue Mountains. The Daruk, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Aboriginal tribes existed in the central, south and western areas of the Blue Mountains respectively. All Aboriginal sites and relics are protected. The Legend of the Three Sisters states that according to Gundungurra dreaming, three beautiful giant sisters named “Meehni”, “Wimlah” and “Gunnedoo” once lived with the Gundungurra people in the Jamison Valley Adjoining the Great Dividing Range and known as a City within a National Park the Blue Mountains has vast, serene bushland, cliffs and gorges, wilderness areas, waterfalls and rivers and a blue haze that gives it a unique beauty which changes with light and weather. The City occupies some 1436 square kilometres and the population is scattered across 110 kms of ridgeline in 26 towns and villages.

Articles Blue Mountain retreats With a choice of cosy bushland retreats, budget accommodation, restored grand hotels, five-star resorts and top-rating guest houses, there's no reason to rush back to the city. Stay on weekdays if possible, when prices tumble. Bushwalking spectacular Lace up your walking boots because the Blue Mountains has some of the most spectacular bushwalks in the world. From easy cliff top walks with panoramic views, to challenging treks deep into valleys, be prepared for a memorable experience. Blue Mountains Area - Bushwalking spectacular The Blue Mountains - so called because of the blue haze created by the eucalyptus oil in the air above the mountain gum forests - are a natural wonderland. From lookouts on the edges of the Blue Mountains National Park, cliffs fall away towards blue ridges broken by waterfalls that plunge into bowls of gum trees or narrow ravines. Ancient rock formations, such as the Three Sisters, The Ruined Castle and Pulpit Rock, stand out starkly against the blue of the sky, or poke up through mountain mists. You can abseil over roaring waterfalls, walk through canyons that have remained unchanged from the Jurassic era, paddle beneath glow-worm covered overhangs, stroll under groves of huge tree ferns, and swim in crystal-clear pools. Each season brings an array of changing colours, as well as different activities. Spring brings strolls among wildflowers, and summer lazy days and cooling shadows. In autumn, the European trees that colour the historic towns turn red, and in winter there are wood fires and even the odd sprinkling of snow. In Katoomba, gateway to the Blue Mountains, you can ride the Scenic Railway - the steepest incline railway in the world - or enjoy the breathtaking views from The Skyway, a gondola-style cable car. Historic towns boast antique shops, art galleries, Victorian and Edwardian-style buildings and Devonshire teas with lashings of whipped cream. Outside, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, king parrots, crimson rosellas and gang gang cockatoos flutter around stately gardens. It's all so peaceful that you'll want to spend days wandering around, followed by evenings tucked up in cosy guesthouses. Self-drive paradise Many scenic routes wind between historic towns and dramatic cliff top views in the Blue Mountains. On the way back to Sydney stop off at the orchards at Bilpin and the impressive cool-climate slopes of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. Blue Mountains Area - Self-drive paradise Explore the mountains on a two-day trip, starting in Leura, a quaint mountain village. There are many interesting and intriguing galleries and boutiques, while the local candy store is a must for all those with a sweet tooth. Katoomba is the largest township in the Blue Mountains. En route take in the sweeping views of the Jamison Valley, then make your way to spectacular Echo Point for a glimpse of the Three Sisters. This would have to be one of the most famous drawcards of the Blue Mountains region. A spectacular rock formation, the Three Sisters can be easily viewed from platforms overlooking the pristine beauty of the Blue Mountains National Park. Nearby, the scenic railway and skyway cable car are two attractions that will literally take your breath away as they sweep you down to the valley floor or hang you suspended high above the canyon of the Jamison. Tour the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath, an historic hotel classified by the National Trust (circa 1904), which recently underwent a multi million-dollar restoration. The Hydro is set against 200 acres of Heritage-listed bushland and landscaped gardens and features 180-degree panoramic views of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys. Overnight at one of the many romantic accommodation houses. Leisurely drive back to Sydney via Blackheath, a pretty village dotted with cafes and craft shops and a perfect base for nature lovers wishing to explore the nearby Grose Valley and spectacular Govetts Leap lookout on foot. From Blackhealth meander along the Bells Line of Road to Mount Tomah. Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens specialise in cold-climate vegetation native to the area and are home to the prehistoric Wollemi Pine. Enjoy the outstanding natural views of the Grose Valley or the city vista. World heritage Dramatic canyons, sheer valleys, thundering waterfalls and gum forests all make up this World Heritage area - the Blue Mountains National Park. Also part of this recent listing is nearby Wollemi National Park - the home of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine. Blue Mountains Area - World heritage The Blue Mountains gained World Heritage listing in 2000. The area includes seven outstanding national parks - the Blue Mountains, Wollemi, Yengo, Nattai, Kanangra-Boyd, Gardens of Stone and Thirlmere Lakes - along with the Jenolan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve. The area was nominated for its globally outstanding biodiversity of its plants and animal communities - it features 90 of the world's eucalypt species. These eucalypts help make the area famous for the evocative blue haze produced by the interplay of bright sunlight and the fine droplets of oils released into the air by the eucalypts that cover the rugged tablelands and deep valleys. The greater Blue Mountains is a one-million hectare area of rugged tablelands, sheer cliffs, deep, inaccessible valleys and swamps teaming with life. Accessible by road and rail, activities abound in the park. Accommodation is available in the main centres of Katoomba and Leura and the many villages along the Great Western Highway. Camping is also allowed, however, fees apply. Blue Mountains Area - Yulefest in July Christmas in July? It happens and it's known as 'Yulefest' in the Blue Mountains, one of the region's biggest attractions. Thousands of visitors flock to the mountaintop in July and August to join in on the Christmas-style frolics, festivities and fare - and to revel in the occasional snowfall which turns the mountains into a winter wonderland. With the cold winter winds come the warm hospitality, the Christmas crackers, the carols, the singalongs and of course, a visit from Santa himself. If you've never experienced a Blue Mountains 'Yulefest' then you're in for a hefty dose of hedonism, and it's just a 90 minute drive from Sydney. Many of the region's guesthouses, hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants provide all the treats and trappings of a traditional northern hemisphere Christmas - turkey, ham, chicken, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding and large helpings of fun. Hearty winter cuisine is also accompanied by live entertainment, from carols around the piano, to live shows, group dancing and bush bands. There's Murder, Mystery and Mayhem nights at the Balmoral Guest House in Katoomba. Basil, Cybil, Manuel and the crew from Fawlty Towers create havoc at the Mercure Resort with their 'Fawlty Yulefest' evenings. The Clarendon Guest House and Theatre in Katoomba brings the house down with their Yulefest Revue, a hilarious show which runs through the winter months. For a quieter and more romantic time, one can opt for a candlelit dinner at Norwood Lodge in Blackheath, or a hearty mountain breakfast at the Carrington in Katoomba. Accommodation and dining options are endless and most doors are open seven days a week with plenty of attractive mid-week packages to entice. Christmas comes but once a year, they say, but not in the Blue Mountains where we like to celebrate a special Christmas in our winter season. From June to August local guesthouses and restaurants put on traditional turkey dinners and interiors are festooned with fairy lights so we can celebrate in the cold!