Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 177
through banksia, gum, and wattle forests, with spectacular views of peaks and
valleys. If you want a guide while you’re in the area, contact Blue Mountains
Magic (& 02/4787 6354; www.bluemts.com.au), based in Blackheath. The
guide, Phil Foster, is a trained botanist.
Blackheath itself has some interesting tearooms and antiques shops.
GETTING THERE The Great Western Highway takes motorists west from
Katoomba to Blackheath. CityRail trains also stop at Blackheath.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Heritage Centre (& 02/4787 8877; www.
npws.nsw.gov.au), operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is
located close to Govetts Leap Lookout on Govetts Leap Road. It has information
on guided walks, camping, and hiking, as well as information on local
European and Aboriginal historic sites. It’s open daily from 9am to 4:30pm.
EXPLORING THE AREA ON HORSEBACK
One of the nicest ways to get around is on horseback. Werriberri Trail Rides
(& 02/4787 9171; fax 02/4787 6680), found at the base of the Blue Mountains,
10km (6 miles) from Blackheath on Megalong Road in the Megalong Valley,
offers guided 1 ⁄2-hour to 3-hour rides through the Megalong Valley. Suitable
for beginners to advanced riders. Half-hour rides cost A$17 (US$11).
JENOLAN CAVES
182km (113 miles) W of Sydney; 70km (43 miles) W of Katoomba
The winding road from Katoomba eventually takes you to a spur of the Great
Dividing Range and a series of underground limestone caves considered some of
the world’s best. Known to the local Aborigines as Binoomea (dark place), the
caves are an impressive amalgamation of stalactites, stalagmites, and underground
rivers and pools. They have been open to the public since 1866.
GETTING THERE It’s a 1 1 ⁄2-hour drive from Katoomba to the caves. CityRail
trains run to Katoomba and link up with daily Jenolan Caves excursions run by
Fantastic Aussie Tours (& 02/4782 1866 or 1300/300 915; www.fantasticaussie-tours.com.au).
The day tour departs Katoomba at 10:30am and returns at
5:15pm. It costs A$80 to A$99 (US$52–US$64) depending on which cave you
visit. The more expensive tour also includes a short wilderness walk. The company
also runs transfers to Jenolan from Katoomba departing at 10:30am and leaving
Jenolan at 3:45pm daily. They cost A$47 (US$31) for adults and A$23 (US$15)
for children each way.
Day trips from Sydney are operated by AAT King’s (& 02/9252 2788) and
Australian Pacific Tours (& 02/9252 2988; fax 02/9247 2052). Coach tours
depart from the coach terminal at Circular Quay. Since you end up spending 6
hours on a coach on these day trips, I recommend staying overnight in either
Jenolan Village or somewhere else in the Blue Mountains.
EXPLORING THE CAVES
Nine caves are open for exploration, with guided tours operated by Jenolan
Caves Reserves Trust (& 02/6359 3311; www.jenolancaves.org.au). The first
cave tour starts at 10am weekdays and 9:30am weekends and holidays. The final
tour departs at 4:30pm (5pm in warmer months). Tours last 1 to 2 hours, and
each costs between A$15 and A$22 (US$9.75–US$14) for adults, and between
A$10 and A$15 (US$6.50–US$9.75) for children under 15. Family concessions
and multiple cave packages are available. The best all-round cave is Lucas Cave;
Imperial Cave is best for seniors. Outings with Adventure Cave Tours, which