Exploring the Blue Mountains {with kids}

I love the Blue Mountains. We spent many of our family holidays up there as children, and now I’m sharing these same experiences all over again, this time with kids of my own. In case you’re thinking of travelling to the Blue Mountains with young kids, I thought I would share some tips and places we’ve enjoyed.

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang and Scenic World.

 

Tips for travelling to the Blue Mountains with kids

 

The drive up and back
The Blue Mountains is a do-able 1-2 hours drive from Sydney, but that’s still a fair distance for young kids. Depending on where in Sydney you’re coming from, there can be long sections of the motorway without an easy place to stop, so make sure everyone goes to the toilet beforehand. It’s almost always a few degrees cooler in the mountains than in Sydney, and sometimes the difference can be greater. We like to have an extra set of clothes in the car to put on if it gets too chilly.

 

Leura
We usually stop for a coffee or a bite to eat in Leura. Leura is a pretty little town, that’s in a handy location off the main highway on the way up to Katoomba. It’s well known for it’s quaint restaurants and cafes, and somehow captures that ‘mountains feeling’ perfectly.

 

Bush Walks and Views
The Three Sisters is a really cool rock formation that juts out over Jamison Valley, and is the Blue Mountains most iconic site. The view from the lookout at Echo Point is amazing, but once you’ve seen it (and taken the obligatory photograph), there’s not a lot left to do up there except buy a souvenir spoon to say you’ve ‘been there, done that’.

A better way, I believe, to experience the beauty of the Three Sisters, and indeed the whole Blue Mountains region, is to go on one of the local bushwalks and ‘get amongst’ nature. There are many bushwalking tracks that are suitable for young kids. My advice would be to pick one, and be prepared to do it very slowly.

We like to sing a few songs as we walk. Here’s one that we learnt from Playschool – I like it because it encourages my girls to look up to the canopy as well as down to the path.

 

“Walking along, looking around.
Looking up, and looking down.
You never know what you’ll see.
Look, over here. What can it be?
What’s that lying beside the track?”
(as we point out whatever we’ve spotted) 

Look for pretty leaves, seedpods or unusual rocks as you stroll along. How many insects you can spot? Can you hear any birds? What does the bush smell like? How does it make you feel?

 

 

Scenic World, Katoomba
A good bushwalking option for families with young kids are the walks around Scenic World, at Katoomba.

We were invited to spend an afternoon there recently, and the kids loved every minute of it. Scenic World have four main attractions: Scenic Skyway, Scenic Cableway, Scenic Railway and Scenic Walkway, all with stunning views of Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters.

The Scenic Walkway is 2.4 kilometres (around 1.5 miles) of elevated boardwalks through the rainforest and into the valley. Dotted along the way are historical artefacts of the region’s prior coal mining times. Most of the tourists stick to just a few short sections of the track, but if you meander a little further along, you can find a slice of peace amongst the tall ancient trees. There are also side tracks leading off the Scenic Walkway into the Blue Mountains National Park.

As guests of Scenic World, we were lucky enough to be shown around by an employee who told us all about the region, including how to find water if you ever get lost in the bush (look for five-leafed water vines), how the Blue Mountains achieved world heritage status (because of it’s unique varieties of eucalypt trees), and why there are great boulders on the valley floor (from an earthquake 10,000 years ago). My kids loved following a ‘teacher’ around and peppering him with questions.

You can access Jamison Valley and the Scenic Walkway from Echo Point via the historic ‘Giant Stairway’ track, which, whilst amazing, is something that I’m saving for when the kids are older. I’ve done this 4.2km one way trip loads of times as an older child and again as an adult, and I remember well how slippery it can be in some sections, and how much my legs ached when I realised I had to walk all the way back up again. Which is why, especially with young kids in tow, I am very grateful for two convenient options, being the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Railway.

The Scenic Cableway is a very gentle (and pram-friendly) choice that’s perfect for even the youngest tot. You can relax and enjoy the absolutely spectacular views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls as you glide back up the mountain.

 

The Scenic Railway, on the other hand, is for the thrill seekers amongst us. It’s the steepest passenger railway in the world, and it feels more like a roller coaster ride than a legitimate form of transporation. You even have the option to set your seat at three different angles, Cliffhanger, Original or Laid Back, depending on the level of thrill that you seek. We chose Cliffhanger: the kids sat on our laps, and we held on tight!

 

When you’re back up at Scenic World HQ, there’s a horizontal cablecar you can ride as well: the Scenic Skyway travels between the two cliff tops, with 360^o views of the valley below, linking up to bushwalking trails that lead back to Echo Point on the other side. I love how the cablecar has nice low windows, making it easy for little kids to enjoy the views as well.

To make the most of your day at Scenic World, it pays to arrive early. In fact, some days if you arrive before 10.00am, you might be eligible for an early bird discount – check the ticketing options when you book.

Single day entry tickets to Scenic World are $35 (for adults), $18 (for children 4-13 years) or $88 for families, all of which include unlimited rides on the Railway, Skyway, Cableway and Walkway. Children under 4 are free.

If you love the great outdoors, it might be worthwhile looking at an annual pass. (This could make a great experiential gift for Christmas perhaps?) Family annual passes are available for $239, including unlimited access 365 days a year, with discounts off retail, dining and additional guest passes.

This Christmas season, for the first time ever, Scenic World will open in the evening as well (until 8.00 or 8.30pm), with staggered ticket entry times to minimise queues and keep access fair for everyone. I’ve not seen it myself, but I reckon the views would be spectacular on a hot summer’s evening, with the setting sun splashing red and gold over the cliff faces…

And then make sure to come back again in Autumn when they hold their annual Sculptures at Scenic World event – from what I’ve seen, it looks amazing!

 

Free camping in the Blue Mountains

If you are campers (or campervanners like us), then you may be interested in hearing about a few places where you are allowed to camp overnight for free in the Blue Mountains.

We stopped one night in Old Ford Reserve, in Megalong Valley. The reserve is on the bank of a creek, and is very natural and earthy. There’s lots of open space for the kids to run around, and of course, it’s full of nature’s toys: leaves, seed-pods, sticks, dirt.  There are limited flat sites, so I’d advise getting there early to nab the best spot (unless you don’t mind sleeping on a mild slope). We tend to be fairly self-sufficient when we camp, but there are some basic facilities available, like a fire pit, picnic tables, and a (slightly gross) composting toilet. Bring your own everything else, including drinking water and toilet paper!

We also stopped one night in Cathedral Reserve, on Mt Irvine Rd, near Mount Wilson. This is an absolutely stunning part of the world, and I highly recommend a visit, even if just as a rest stop.

The reserve is a large (flat) open space surrounded by liquid amber trees, backing onto a lush rainforest. Directly across the road is an easy 10 minute bushwalking trail to the Cathedral of the Ferns and the giant tree. My kids are convinced this trail is populated by fairies. I think I agree.

 

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah

This area of the Blue Mountains has deep, rich, volcanic soil, which just encourages plants to thrive. The whole area is bountiful, and the botanic gardens are no exception. The gardens specialise in cool weather plants from around the world, and is split up by regions, including wetlands, arid regions and rainforests. The garden’s are expansive, so be prepared to carry kids part of the way, or just stick to a small section. Entry is free, 364 days a year.

 

We’re planning to head back up the mountains again in the new year. So my question to you is, where should we go next? Do you have any hot tips to share??

xx Danya

Disclosing that this is a sponsored post for Nuffnang and Scenic World. All opinions are my {or my children’s} own.