Day 3:
Katoomba, Blue Mountains (Three Sisters @ Echo Point, The Scenic World) --> BlackHeath (viewing Grand Canyon from Evans Lookout and waterfall from Govetts Leap Lookout) --> Mt Paddington Highest Point in Blue Mountains --> Oberone --> Canberra
Though the motel room that we stayed overnight was rather small (one queen bed, one single bed with pulled out bed) for a family of 4, it was quite comfortable. My 2 adolescent kids were thrilled with the wi-fi that was offered at a discounted price (AUD 8 for 24 hours). My wife and I were attracted to the thoughts of free warm breakfast the next day.
We set off in the morning, re-visited Echo Point -- I would like to explore the Giant Stairways leading to the Three Sisters.
Leaving the motel in the morning .... driving to Echo Point
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| Leaving Katoomba Hotel |
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| The space wagon that we rented ... on the right corner |
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| Checking out from the hotel... going to Echo Point |
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| The road leading to Echo Point |
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| The Three Sisters |
The scene of cloud shrouding parts of the Blue Mountains was simply too irresistible for photo-taking!
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| Cheng Kai |
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| Cheng Jie |
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| My Wife |
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| View of the trees along the path towards Giant Stairways |
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| My wife and I .... |
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| A view from the Giant Stairway |
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| Giant Stairway @ Echo Point |
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| Giant Stairway |
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| A view from Giant Stairway |
We climbed down a few steps (probably less than 100) of the Giant Stairways, and took a few snap shots of the cliffs as seen above. We were told that the journey down the Stairways might take about 15-20 minutes, but the reverse might need another 30-45 minutes (depending on how fit we are). Being short of time, we did not complete the descent down the Stairway...
Our next stop is The Scenic World.
Leaving Echo Point for The Scenic World
Arriving at The Scenic World
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| Taking the Scenic Railway ... descending to the valley floor |
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| Just like a roller coaster ride .... |
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| Going .... |
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| Going .... |
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| Woooowwwooooow....... |
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| The train ascending up the hill ... |
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| Replica of old train |
Forest Boardwalk at the base of Scenic Railway
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| The old mine |
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| Boardwalk |
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| Skyway Cable Car |
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| Boarding Cable Car |
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| View from Cable Car |
On the Scenic Flyway
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| Katoomba Fall |
The touted attraction of the Scenic Flyway is its transparent glass panel on the floor, where tourists can stand on top and view the scenary / valley / gorges underneath their feet. However, the glass panel has seen better days... spotting scratches here and there, that obscure some of the view.
It is better to view the scenery direct from the windows.
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| Inside the Scenic Flyway |
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| Walking trail towards Katoomba Fall |
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| Where the fall begins... |
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| Four in the family (except Cheng Yee) |
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| View from Scenic Flyway |
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| Narrow Neck |
Driving towards Blackheath, stopping at Evans Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout
EVANS LOOKOUT
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| View from Evans Lookout |
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| "Grand Canyon" |
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| Valley as viewed from Evans Lookout |
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| Leaving Evans Lookout |
GOVETTS LEAP LOOKOUT
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| Waterfall at right hand corner ... |
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| Entrance of Govetts Leap Lookout |
We bought some fish and chips and chicken (takeaway) and drove to Mt Paddington, the highest point in Blue Mountains for lunch.
I was expecting to see a fairly spacious park with well fenced up look-out point at the peak (just like that in Echo Point). Alas, to my surprise, it was very "wild and almost untempered by mankind"; some may call it rundown - the road is not paved, there is no parking lots, no lights/lamp post, no proper toilet facilities ...
But it has grandeur in its own way...
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| View from top of Mt Paddington |
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| Lunch ... |
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| Lunch at the peak ! |
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Walking down the slope from the peak.
Notice our car ... parked next to a rock. |
After our lunch, we began another of our long drive to Canberra via Oberone. It took us over 4 hours to reach Canberra at night (around 8 pm). We stayed overnight in one of the Motels; no wifi facility this time round...
We cooked cup noodles for dinner, and then went to bed, in preparation for the long drive to Clayton the next day...
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