Due to the numerous gold settlements outlining Sydney, the
Blue Mountains were first explored in 1812. Utilizing its riches to raise sheep
and cattle, rural living was became comfortable in the late 19th
century to the early 20th century with the advancements in
communication. It is now home to the densest rural population in the country. It
has easily become the favorite vacation spot for travelers. Important to the
Blue Mountains is the Blue Mountains National Park. Estimated to be
approximately 250 million years old, the name derived from the blue haze produced
from the Eucalyptus tree oil. Visitors may experience these natural wonders by
visiting the Cathedral of Ferns, the Jenolan Caves, Wentworth Falls, the Three
Sisters rock formation, Mount Wilson, and the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden;
alongside structures such as the Leura Mansion, the Norman Lindsay Gallery and
Museum, and towns of Katoomba and Blackheath.
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| The Three Sisters of the Blue Mountains National Park |
The cities of the Blue Mountains are also riddled with
history. Windsor and Richmond are home to the colonial Hawkesbury Museum and
the Mountainview farmstead. If one moves northeast toward the central coastal
city of Gosford, the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the Australian Rainforest
Sanctuary, the Brisbane Waters National Park (containing the Bulgandry
Aboriginal site), and the popular Australian Reptile Park are sought after attributions.
Up the coast is the town of Newcastle, Australia’s second oldest city. Built in
haste due to the coal and steel mining boom, an assortment of architecture
styles can be seen including Late Free Classical, High Victorian, and Victorian
Gothic, in addition to visiting the Newcastle Region Art Gallery, the Nobby
Lighthouse in Queens Wharf, and Fort Stratchley.
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| The Nobbys Lighthouse and signal station |
With wine being a huge part of Australia’s economy, it is sensible
that there are numerous wineries travelers should explore. To name a few would
be the Hunter Valley Winery, located off the Hunter Valley River and home to
the Hunter Valley Wine Society, the Rothbury Estate, which also provides a
well-known breakfast and hot-air balloon ride, Lake’s Folly, and the Peterson’s
Winery. Most would also recommend traveling to the Northern New South Wales
Coastlines which is home to many memorizing beaches and unique harbors.
Going west of the divide, the cities of Dubbo, Bourke, and
Broken Hill contain contributions to the scattered history of Australia. Most
popular is the city of Wagga Wagga. Translated as “a place of many crows” and known
across the country as the “Garden City of the South”, Wagga Wagga is covered in
wineries and gardens designed for a relaxing and revitalizing vacation. Also
found in the city is the Wagga Wagga Historical Museum and Widadjuri trail.
