For the first white explorers who tried to reach the wide open land west of the coast, the impermeable
gum forests of the mountains were anything but a blessing – today’s travellers and tourists though marvel at the enormous expanse of the densely-forested mountains, spectacular valleys and canyons, sky-high waterfalls and
breathtaking rock formations and caves. The misty, bush-clad cliffs of the
Blue Mountains are eroded remnants of a giant plateau which rose up out of a river delta some 80 million years ago. For almost 20,000 years, Aboriginal people lived very well in what is today one of
Australia’s most spectacular and
scenic natural attractions. The climate – warm and moist in summer, cold and dry in winter – has enabled the establishment of beautiful gardens and parks, that are open to the public. Quaint little villages, shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants complement the natural beauty of the region and explain why the Blue Mountains are one of the most visited tourist areas of
Australia.