Our strategy for avoiding hot weather by staying in the mountains is working all too well. The minimum was 9C at Katoomba last night. We could hear moisture dripping during the night but could not hear rain, so guessed that there was a heavy fog. We were correct. A heavy fog had blanketed the entire area. It did not lift until after lunch and even then the valleys held large fog banks and the cloud base was sitting on top of the higher mountain ranges. With conditions so unsuitable for sightseeing during the morning we stayed in the van for the most part and gave the heater a work out. After lunch the conditions had improved so we set off to look around.
Top of the Leura Mall. The mall is on a fairly steep hillside.
The caravan park is at Katoomba Falls and right near the Skyway and Scenic Railway. The best view of the valleys and cliffs is from the Cliff Drive that follows the top of the escarpment and takes in many of the iconic locations. We looked in at Leura Falls, Gordon Falls and Sublime Point and did a leisurely walk around Leura Mall. That, incidentally, is the name of the street that runs through the main shopping area, not some fancy title for a modern development.
Leura Mall. Not a spare car parking space in sight.
Development rules are obviously strict as many old buildings remain and have been tastefully renovated and contain the boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and household goods stores that you will find in most tourist shopping precincts.
We drove past Echo Point, the observation point for the Three Sisters, mainly because it looked as though no one else had driven past. On this public holiday it was a seething mass of humanity. Besides the “Sisters” looked to be obscured by fog.
Leura Falls viewed from above.
Sightseeing in the Blue Mountains can be quite strenuous, as flights of steps or steep inclines need to be negotiated to reach lookouts, waterfalls and other features. So I have seen a bit more than Ruth, but I have taken plenty of photos so I can share.
One of the falls in the Leura Falls group of cascades.
A converted church in Leura Mall
Bottom end of Leura Mall
Gordon Falls viewed from Gordon Falls Lookout.
Sublime Point from Gordon Falls Lookout.
The rear view of the Three Sisters from Gordon Falls Lookout.
Jamison Valley and Clouds.
Katoomba in the mist from Sublime Point.
Attractive colours in the cliff face. Note houses with superb views.
View back to Gordon Falls Lookout.
Clouds remained at mountain top level all day.