Greater Blue Mountains

The Greater Blue Mountains Area is an area of rugged tablelands, sheer cliffs, deep, inaccessible valleys and swamps located in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. The unique plants and animals that live in this natural place relate an extraordinary story of Australia's antiquity, its diversity of life. This is the story of the evolution of Australia's unique eucalypt vegetation and its associated communities, plants and animals.

The area has been described as a natural laboratory for studying the evolution of the eucalypts. The largest area of high diversity of eucalypts on the continent is located in south-east Australia. The Greater Blue Mountains Area includes much of this eucalypt diversity.
In addition to its outstanding eucalypts, the Greater Blue Mountains Area also contains ancient, relict species of global significance.

Year Decision Comments
2000 Inscribed Reasons for inscription
1999DeferredBureau - to consider a serial site representing Eucalyptus ecosystems

Reviews

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I have lived and guided hiking tours and day tours of this area for many many years. I have recently returned from guiding in the Kimberley region. That was fabulous, but

gee!!! I missed the bluies!!! I have been back for two weeks taking private hiking tours, everyday. Awesome, waterfalls everywhere, but the best is the diverse plantlife and colour.There is so many good walks here!!! Winter or Summer displays different emotions. Come see the biodiversity hotspot, come and enjoy an experience away from the main tourist routes.

EXPERIENCE ECO GUIDING gives you the blue mountains from all angles, we travel in luxury 4wd's, interpreting the environment with passion and skill. Let the real locals show you around whether from the city or the mountains.The locals know how to give you a World Heritage EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Julia (Australia):
Hey I suggest going to the blue mountains if you want a fun enjoyable day, the scenery is simply superb and the events that go on during the day makes the experience more intresting.
Date posted: April 2006
Emilia Bautista King ():
From Sydney, I took a trip to the Blue Mountains, as well as the nearby Jenolan Caves. The Blue Mountains have a blue hue that comes from the eucalyptus trees. I had fun riding the Katoomba Scenic Railway, "the steepest incline railway in the world." There were beautiful crimson rosellas everywhere. The side trip to the caves were fine but skip it if you're pressed for time.
Date posted: February 2006
Bonnie S (Australia):
The Blue Mountains are beautiful, and some of the panorama's from look outs take your breath away.!!! It's an awesome area, and a must see if you are travelling down past Sydney.
Date posted: December 2005
Cindy (Australia):
The Blue Mountains are so fun to hang in and climb in! Go thereeveryone or you will regret it.
Date posted: October 2005
Kang Chong (Malaysia):
I have been t0 the Blue Mountains twice. Both times a wonderful experience. I would suggest rental a car to drive up there as you will be able to explore more secluded scenic spots. Australia's tourist facilities are top notch... no doubt about it.
Date posted: October 2005
Cassndra (Australia):
My family lives in the blue mountains. its a lovely place to go. u go up the road and u have a fantastic view:D:D
wish i could live their but im stuck in Queensland untill im 18:( Oh well f you havn't been. u should, great views
Date posted: August 2005
Ian Cade (England):
The Blue Mountains provide a great break from Sydney, and it really does not take long to get out to them. It was about two hours if I remember correctly from Sydney to Katoomba, which is a nice place to make a base. It has a kind of faded art deco chic going on. This is where you can see the some of the more famous parts of the mountains such as the ‘Three Sisters’ rock formations. It is also a good location from which you can also descend to the valley floor in a number of different ways. I decided to do hike down the steps, which was particularly rewarding. It was not as tiring as I thought it would be and is well worth a couple of hours. Also fun is the railway which is a bit more like a rollercoaster as it descends at and angle of up to 45* making it one of the steepest in the world. We got talking to the driver and he let us travel up and down a few times for free. I was also able to spend a day just off hiking and horse riding (not normally my favourite things) and quite enjoyed it. Although these are not really what I imagined mountains to look like, they are well worth at least a day trip if you have the time from Sydney.
Date posted: July 2005
Ben Pastore (USA):
I came to the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney and in hindsight I wish I had more time. Wentworth Falls, a town before more visited Katoomba, is worth the stop. It is a short hike to get to the overlook but the panorama is not to be missed--there's no doubting you're in Australia here. Of course the Three Sisters, the iconic rocky pinnacles of the area, shouldn't be missed either. The hike down to the base of the nearest one is a good way to get perspective on the valley.
 
Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
I have only been to the Blue Mountains on a daytrip from Sydney, but I agree that this area is really beautiful (unless you get caught in one of the evidently commonplace bushfires...) and probably the best daytrip out of Sydney that one can make. On the surface, the Blue Mountains look like your average European hill chain - the term "mountains" gives them too much credit -, but their flora and fauna make them unique and fascinating, and I believe the rare flora was one of the main reasons the site was inscribed on the WH list. Nice hikes and quaint villages, too, although I think the place can get crowded on weekends.
 
Marley Rose (Australia):
I used to live in the Blue Mountains, I pretty much grew up there.I since moved to another part of australia that is hours away from the Blue Mountains and i just wanna say this.It is the most gorgeous place in the world and its my biggest regret that i had to leave. I count down the days when I can see it again.To all you mountain goats, dont do what i did and leave. Its the stupidest thing I did.But at the same time, when I lived there it really used to piss me off when I saw all these people move up there and cut down all the bush just so they could build an ugly great mansion! no offence, but you guys are crap! your not doing any favours for the area! surely you want your kids to see the mountains as you saw it! not like another Sydney!! Also another thing I miss heaps about the mountains is how laid back and non judgemental people were, especially in Katoomba. So all up i'll just say one more thing, if u are going to visit or move to the mountains think about the environment!
 
Mel (Australia):
I havn't been 2 the blue mountains but i have done lot of research on it for school and i would love to go there one day. i think it would be really fun and beautiful!!!
 
Jeremy Tollpuddle (England):
The Blue Mountains are really lovely, and are worth spending at least a few days in, but if you do not have much time to spare they make a nice day trip from Sydney. it is easy to get to by train to Katoomba from central Sydney.
If you don't feel like going all out for some serious hiking but fancy strenuose excercise try going down the stairs next to the three sisters and then back up. It is aot further down than you would think. If you are not so energetic the cable or the much more exciting funicular railway are a nice way to get to the bottom.
t is well worth spending a few days here and doing some activities, hiking horse riding etc. and the town of Katoomba is actually really nice with a few little Art Nouveau buildings and a strangly attractive population!
 
Astrid B (Australia/Germany):
As I lived in the area for years I had many chances to explore the Blue Mountains. Pack your hiking boots, food and drink and don't underestimate the distances!!!!! Be prepared. There are many, many hiking trails and camp sites (free) and maps are easy to come by. The Blue Mountains are an exhilirating, mind boggling, soul soothing experience if you are willing to do just a little walking. And yes, do go in winter because the heat in summer can be oppressing and the valleys might be inaccessible due to the fire danger.
 
maddster (australia):
i reckon the Blue mountains are great fun but if you've been there as many times as me..... well, they're still great fun!
 
Cassie (ausralia):
NEVER EVER GO TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS IN WINTER!!!
 
lisa (australia):
Well the blue mountains r absolutly beautiful and i live here in australia and trust me the only roo's(kangaroo's) u only ever see r in the outback for ne1 who didnt no, unless they're roadkill.... back to the subject, u must at least see them once in r life!
 
Johanna (Germany):
this experience was really exhilerating. while hiking we came across so much wild life and so much beautiful nature that is just so priceless. this is pretty embarrassing for me because i have never written a review for a website!
 


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