Taking a Blue Mountains day trip is a wonderful option if you’re visiting Sydney and want to escape from the bustle of the city. This beautiful area has long been popular with Sydneysiders looking for a temporary escape, as the area is about a two hour drive from the city.
Several companies offer Blue Mountains day trip, and it’s easy to find details and costs online, as well as read customer comments and ratings. Although itineraries vary, expect to leave early in the morning and return to Sydney early evening to maximize time. Some trips include meals, and various sightseeing activities such as a wine tasting, river cruise or visit to an Aboriginal arts and crafts centre. Many companies will pick you up from your Sydney hotel and drop you off back there in the evening.
This area of mountains, rivers and forests covers around 3,800 square miles and contains some of Australia’s most picturesque landscapes, including canyons and waterfalls. It’s definitely the place to head to if you like the great outdoors, as there are over 90 miles of walking trails here of varying difficulty, as well as opportunities for horse riding, kayaking and caving. This entire area is a designated World Heritage Area, and it gets its name from the delicate haze that hovers over much of the area, caused by clouds of fine oil emanating from the eucalyptus trees.
One of the highlights of a day trip to the Blue Mountains is the chance to sample some of the country’s Aboriginal culture, one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Aboriginal guides help to bring local stories and legends to life for visitors, and there are plenty of art galleries and craft shops where you can admire the work of Aboriginal artists. The area also boasts dozens of other galleries, scattered throughout the charming small towns and villages, as well as more than enough antique stores, flea markets and boutiques to satisfy the serious shopper.
Another reason the area is popular for day trips from Sydney is its many wineries. The first vines were planted in Australia in the late 18th century; today there are dozens of vineyards throughout the area that welcome visitors, and offer tours of the winery and of course the chance to sample the product. Some day trips to the Blue Mountains from Sydney focus entirely on wine tasting, and you can expect to visit several of the area’s leading wineries during the day.
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