An early start. In fact, we had to get up before it was even bedtime in the UK. Ug. We headed down to the collection point for our tour out to the Blue Mountains. Apparently blue mountains got their name because they have a blue hue that is caused by oil particles from the eucalyptus trees in the air.
At 7am we got picked up by double decker bus and proceeded to wind our way around Sydney to all the other collection points before we finally crossed the Sydney harbour bridge. Containing the baby on the coach was a little tricky, but we survived and an hour or so later, we were eating cream teas at a tea room called Bygone Beautys.
The coach dropped us on one side of the mountain and we got a cable car across. A Glass floor changed to be transparent to reveal the stunning view below.
The main attraction is the railway that drops about 300m through a tunnel to the rainforest floor below at a 52 degree angle. It has changed a little since last time I was here. The cabin is fully enclosed and you can change the angle of the seat to enhance the experience. We naturally chose the steepest which is what everybody would do with a small child…
We ambled about the paths below for half an hour or so, looking at the bird life, trees and views. The altitude meant that it was cool up there and it was nice to be a little on the cold side for while. Because the cable car back up to the top was out of action we got to go back up in the train, which seemed almost more terrifying in reverse!
Back on the coach, we were driven to Echo Point, which offered impressive views across the valley and mountains including the famous Three Sisters rocks. Aboriginal legend says that the three rocky outcrops were once sisters who were turned into stone by their father in order to protect them from danger. He later turned himself into a bird and the legend says that he is still trying to turn himself and his daughters back.
Back on the coach we went to Featherdale wildlife park. We saw a whole range of native animals and a lot of tourists taking photos of them. Seeing the animals was interesting, but the environment was a little uncomfortable.
The final stop for the coach was a quay in the river at which we joined a boat cruise down the river into Sydney. Enroute we went through the Olympic Park which hosted the 2000 Olympic Games.
It was a nice breezy trip down the river passing under the bridge that brought us into circular quay where we had dinner at the Searock Grill. I naturally had a steak and Ali had the fish of the day. It was an expensive meal, but it was good food (and very good wine) and a view of the quay at night including the opera house and the Harbour Bridge.
Then it was back to the hotel for an early night. A good day, but a long one.
