Another day with far too much walking! Had a day out at the Blue Mountains; mainly around Katoomba and Leura. Had originally planned to do one of the organised coach trips, but instead did the 2 hour train journey from Sydney to Katoomba. Quite a pleasant train ride; surprising how much urbanisation there is along the way. Also means the train stops quite a few times, so it could be done in less. One of the good things about most of Sydney's suburban and InterCity trains is that they are double-deckers, so you get a pretty good view from upstairs.
From Katoomba there is a hop-on hop-off bus that covers most of the edge of the plateau. Runs a circular route which takes an hour to complete and runs every half hour. First bus leaves Katoomba at 09:45; last bus starts from Katoomba at 16:00.
Started off at Scenic World. First there is the Skyway gondola, including a glass-floored section in the middle you can stand on (yes, I did!). From there you take the Scenic Railway. This is a short ride down the side of the cliff. The maximum incline is 52 degrees (yes, fifty-two). Its surprising how quickly it builds up speed as you go over the edge. The station is on the flat, but the drop starts right at the end of the station! There are then a few different walks to do depending on how long you have. Finally, there's the Cableway back up the cliffs. Next stopping point was Honeymoon Lookout for a walk along re Prince Henry Cliffs back to Echo Point; including 4 lookout points along the way.
After some photos of the 3 Sisters and a quick lunch at Echo Point got the bus again to Leura Cascades. This leisurely walk runs alongside a series of small waterfalls. Also has the intriguing idea of toilets that are inside a hollowed out rock. The "furniture" is all conventional; it's just fitted inside a lump of rock!
From here took the bus to Gordon Falls. Had Bren intending on walking from here along the cliffs past 2 other lookout points to the NSW Toy & Railway Museum. Just as I got back to the main path from the Gordon Falls lookout point there were a few spots of rain. I thought I'd heard thunder while down at the lookout, so decides to see what happened. Didn't take long for a few more rumbles of thunder and then the heavens opened. We're talking the sort of rain you can barely see through, coupled with the storm being right overhead. Some impressive lightning (when you ignore the fact that you're surrounded by trees) with thunder that sounded like the sky falling in, or the gates of he'll wing opened, or something similar. Thankfully the bus showed up again so mad dash to relative dryness and safety.
Stayed on the bus right round to Echo Point again where the clouds were still low in the valleys, so decides to get off to take some more photos.
Finally got the bus to Leura. Had a cup of tea, rested the feet and then got the train back to Sydney. (Well, I will when it arrives... Am sat on the station writing this. Think I'll eat in the hotel tonight. Not sure the feet can take much more walking! Plus I won't be back till about 19:30, so don't really fancy finding somewhere to eat!
Update: 2015
Quick update while waiting for food to arrive. Some weird and wonderful weather arriving into Sydney Central. Looks like they've had a fair bit of rain here too. Some random low clouds that just looked like they didn't really belong in the sky, a sunset that seemed to be in the wrong direction; but the best part was the very faint rainbow. When looked at closely the rainbow was clearly separating 2 very different coloured skies; dark angry grey to one side and a slightly brighter but still cloudy sky to the other. Did head up to the hotel's roof terrace to try and grab some photos, but was just that little bit too late! Still, it was a red sky, so hopefully good weather in store for the last day in Sydney!