Blue Mountains to Newcastle

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Feb 11 Katoomba - Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains were well worth the effort to get here. The views from the top of the cliff are breath taking - the valley has steep limestone cliffs and the valley is covered in trees. We spend a good part of the afternoon doing the tourist thing of riding a ‘train’ down very steep cliff (52% incline) to a boardwalk through part of the valley - through an area that was at one time a coal mine and town. We then took a sky tram back up the cliff. We then took another sky tram across a part of the canyon. Touristy but fun.
Then as we walked out of the tram station, we heard Darrel’s name being called. Ruehlens and Zabots were sitting in the attached restaurant just finishing off refreshments. We thought they might be around the area on this day, but never really expected to run into them. After a quick visit they had to leave for their bus and we headed back into town.

Feb. 12 Newcastle

Left Katoomba early this morning so we could return our rental car to Newcastle before noon today. Best laid plans don’t’ always work as they are intended to. We headed out through the back why so we could avoid toll highways and freeways. Traveled through other areas of the Blue Mountains Parks that were equally beautiful as the area we visited yesterday. We stopped at a tourist information along the way and got more detailed info on the route and felt confident on our plan. Then we got into Windsor and everything fell apart. New South Wales has this thing with street signs where the side streets may be labeled, but try and figure out what one you are on! And the names frequently change from one intersection to the next. Anyways, you guessed it, we got lost. (again) We were in a small town called Dural before we realized we had goofed a turn. There was no way we were getting the car to Newcastle on time, so after phoning Hertz, we found ourselves a restaurant had a good breakfast. The people running it were super interested in our trip to Vietnam so spend some time just chatting to them.
After leaving there we continued on our new route and took the very scenic route into Newcastle. Quite enjoyed it in the end.

As previously planned, we met up with Anne and Louis Zabot, and Ken and Sheila Ruehlen here in Newcastle. And, as it is my birthday, we went out for a very nice dinner.
Great way to finish off an interesting day.

The next day was spent wandering around the water front and visiting some more with the Kitimat group.

Then on the 14th, Darrel and I checked out of our hotel by 7:30am and drove the car, on gas fumes, to the Hertz dealer where we were glad to drop it. After taking a cab to the Crowne Plaza where the Kitimat group was staying, we met up with them and went for breakfast. Then our tour guide met us and the six of us had a wonderful day on a private wine tour through the Hunter Valley vineyards. I think it is a good thing that we a backpacking again as it prevented me from buying some of that delicious wine.
Unfortunately the weather is not great so some of the views weren’t as nice as they should have been but the wine did make up for it.

We spent that night in the Newcastle YHA - quite a contrast from accommodations at the Crowne Plaza - and are currently on the train somewhere between Newcastle and Sydney. We have decided to cut our visit to Australia a few weeks short and we head to New Zealand on Friday. The weather isn’t great, and neither are the reports we keep hearing from upper Queensland. By leaving now, we have a excellent reason to return to Australia on a future date. But first, we have a few days to explore Sydney before we fly to Auckland.

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Photos

Blue Mountains
Three Sisters

Blue Mountains
sky tram

Katoomba Falls
Pic taken from valley floor.

Hunter Valley
Our wine tour group.

Comments

[darlene]

Snow!!!
I guess our 100cm of snow seems like we are at the other end of the world oh yeah I guess we are. We are in a winter wonderland at the moment and it truly is gorgeous, its the reason we love it here but I expect it will rain soon and I'll once again be dreaming of sunshine. Tims busy with budget and I try to keep out of trouble. Happy belated birthday Janise I was talkin about you on your day were yours ears burning. You have been taking beautiful photos and thanks for sharing. This blog is such a great idea. Happy travels. Darlene

[Louis and Anne]

Weather is great
Arrived save and sound in Noosa , had a couple days with the odd shower ,however the last 3 days have been sunnny the whole day , they are having the state life guard championships here on the beach , quite something to watch . The beaches are by far the best that I have ever seen in our travels .... Having a great time , hope you are enjoying sydney . All the best Louis