Greater Blue Mountain Area, Australia

The breathtaking view of Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jamison_Valley,_Blue_Mountains,_Australia_-_Nov_2008.jpg
Author: David Iliff


The Greater Blue Mountains Area is a World Heritage Site within the Blue Mountains, about 50 km west of central Sydney, Australia. It was inscribed during the 24th session of the World Heritage Committee, which met in Cairns, Australia, from 27 November to 2 December, 2000.

The Greater Blue Mountains Area covers 10,300 square kilometers of forested land on a sandstone plateau. Within this area are tablelands, sheer cliffs, valleys, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The eucalyptus forest of the Great Blue Mountains Area is recognised for its adaptability and evolution in post-Gondwana isolation.

The rock formations known as Three Sisters, in the Blue Mountains
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_mountains_-_three_sisters.jpg
Author: Diliff

What to See in Greater Blue Mountain Area

The Greater Blue Mountains Area consists of eight protected areas split in two by an urban corridor. There are seven national parks here, including the Blue Mountains National Park, Wollemi National Park, Yengo National Park, Nattai National Park, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, Gardens of Stone National park and Thirlmere Lakes National Park. The famous Jenolan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve is also within the area.

The Greater Blue Mountains Area do not contain any actual mountains, but rather a sandstone plateau of varying heights from 100 meters up to 1300 meters.

In addition to the eucalyptus forest, the Great Blue Mountains Area is also home to ancient plant life such as the Wollemi pine, which dates back to the age of the dinosaurs. This ancient pine was discovered in remote, highly inaccessible gorges of the area. Thought to be been extinct for millions of years, the Wollemi pine is today one of the rarest species in the world.

Megalong Head in the Blue Mountains
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:E9689-Megalong-Head.jpg
Author: Vmenkov

The Blue Mountains World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S 33 42 0 E 150 0 0
Inscription Year: 2000
Type of Site: Natural
Inscription Criteria: IX, X

Visiting the Blue Mountains

Your base for visiting the Blue Mountains and other national parks in its vicinity is the city of Sydney. If you are coming from outside Sydney, I would recommend that you first get your accommodation, and then make your arrangements through your hotel or a travel agent nearby. You will get plenty of options and travel agents through Sydney.

Getting to the Blue Mountains

The Greater Blue Mountains Area can be reached from Sydney by taking the M4, the Western Motorway. It becomes Route 32, the Great Western Highway at Lapstone Hill. The journey to the Blue Mountains will take you close to two hours one way.

CityRail also has trains to the Blue Mountains from Sydney Central. These run every hour or two. However, you will be limited as there are sights you can only reach by car.

List of World Heritage Sites in Australia and World Heritage Sites in the World

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