Katoomba and The Three Sisters

Leaving the Kangaroo Valley on our way to Katoomba, we stopped at Fitzroy Falls. My photos don't do justice to this lovely landmark, with its jaw-dropping views from the top.

Because we were heading to the Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters rock formation, at a higher elevation, we expected we were going to a remote area. But we found both going out and on our return to Sydney that suburbs meld into small towns all the way there. However, once you get to Katoomba and the viewpoint to the Three Sisters, the landscape is breathtaking. We hiked along the rim of the canyon and down to the Three Sisters to take in the view.

 We clambered down to an overlook, even though I am afraid of heights. Along the way, many of the rocks were so colorful they looked as though they had been painted.

Katoomba is also the home of the Waradah Aboriginal Centre, which is run by the local Dharug and Gundungurra tribes. It features performances, exhibits, and an art gallery.

The canvas in the front depicts the Australian Aboriginal flag, one of the official flags of Australia.

The toilets at the visitor center show how to use them.

Should you go to Katoomba, don't make the mistake that one visitor did. She asked the information desk, "Where are the Blue Mountains?" She was expecting the mountains to literally be blue. But Australia's Blue Mountains, like our own forested lands in the Pacific Northwest, only appear blue in the distance, because of how different wavelengths of light scatter in the atmosphere.

We only spent a couple nights at Katoomba. While there, we explored some forest trails and walked along a peaceful lake. Soon, we were headed back to Sydney.