Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales

The Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a popular day excursion from Sydney and a hiker's delight. It's only 81 kilometers west of town. This magnificent park preserves over 664,000 acres of nature and is named for the blue haze emerging from the many eucalyptus trees. There are 140 kilometers of hiking paths here, as well as stunning gorges, waterfalls, and Aboriginal rock drawings.

The Three Sisters, which are towering sandstone rock formations, are the most prominent sights in Blue Mountains National Park. The world's steepest railway, the Katoomba Scenic Railway, transports passengers down the Jamison Valley through a cliff-side tunnel into an old rainforest; and the Skyway, Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway, all of which provide magnificent views of the dense woodlands. In the park, popular activities include hiking, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and equestrian riding.

Location: Great Western Hwy, Blackheath, New South Wales, 2785, Australia

Entrance fee: $7 per vehicle applies at the Glenbrook entrance

Highlight: The Three Sisters, Scenic World, Govetts Leap Lookout, Wentworth Falls, Hiking and Heritage Trails, Katoomba, The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, ...

Best time to visit: February 12th to May 6th