This is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The Blue Mountains National Park in Australia is a must-see. About two hours west of Sydney, there are innumerable things to do and experience, including some of the best hikes around. Our Aussie friends Dan and Tim took us there, and even though I’d heard it was breathtaking, it blew me away. The blue and green landscape stretches for hundreds of miles, cradled by gorgeous rock formations. It really is an unending feast for the soul.
The amazing Blue Mountains
The hike we went on was awesome. It’s called the National Pass Trail at Wentworth Falls. You can keep whatever pace you like, the elevation gains and losses aren’t stressful, and all along the way you’ll be greeted by various animals, waterfalls, and the sounds of nature. The hike has some elevation descents and ascents, but was overall kind on the knees (I always use trekking poles and can’t recommend them enough!). It’s not difficult for people who have basic hiking experience, however, if you’re not super mobile, that particular trail is not for you.
We met a few other travelers on the route and struck up conversations with them. Some were from Germany, some from other parts of Australia, and some local. All of them were quick with a laugh or a funny story, and as friendly as you can imagine. What I loved most about this hike is that the entire time we were there, (which was a good portion of a day), I felt like I was a kid again out exploring the unknown world. I didn’t think about time, work, where I had to be… any of it. I was just there with Jolene and our good friends enjoying life, nature and a lot of good laughs. And doing silly things like this:
Jolene… stuffed in a cubby edition
As always, we try to film wherever we go so we can share the experiences. This was actually the first place we used a handheld gimbal from EVO Gimbals with our iPhones. It made a huge difference. Being able to stabilize the phone and remove almost all of the jittery shake from our video footage was an awesome thing to experience, and we use a gimbal now whenever we travel. Below is a video showing some of the Blue Mountains and our usual silliness. For the record, the shots of me snorkeling are not from the Blue Mountains. Those are from Shelley Beach, a very nice place to visit as well!
The Blue Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and they’re not only absolutely worth seeing, but you should also plan on spending some time in the area. There are nice towns with quality restaurants, fun shopping, artisan communities, and more. It would be wonderful to go there and spend a week or two getting to know the locals, seeing an arts festival, eating some good local cuisine and relaxing for a while. There’s also no shortage of gorgeous vistas:
Blue Mountains panorama
Be advised, if you’re ever in Australia, and you do go to the Blue Mountains, and you’re standing there with your significant other looking at a magnificent view… please know that it is absolutely the perfect time to lovingly squeeze their tush.
Tush squeeze… check!
For more information about the Blue Mountains National Park, please visit their website here.
Moonbird’s Helpful Info:
The Blue Mountains
Website: The Blue Mountains, Australia
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Google Maps: Click here
Best time to visit: Anytime!
Australia’s seasons are: Spring: September, October and November, Summer: December, January and February, Autumn: March, April and May, Winter: June, July and August
