Some 60 km west of Sydney lie the Blue Mountains, Australia’s most accessible wilderness and an expanse offering a world of adventure. With over one million hectares of the most breathtaking scenery, this paradise of nature is home to seven national parks providing a myriad of adventure travel experiences geared to every level and interest.
A natural playground of craggy mountains, spectacular rainforests, breathtaking canyons and caves, awesome waterfalls, and meandering rivers and creeks, the Blue Mountains provide adventures galore with miles of walking, hiking and biking trails, canyoning, rock climbing, and adventure caving opportunities, as well as horseback riding, abseiling and 4 WD experiences. Wildlife viewing is part and parcel of the area.
Located at Katoomba, the main town and gateway to the Blue Mountains, the spectacular Three Sisters, a magnificent series of craggy rock formations, are one of the most spectacular not-to-be-missed highlights here. Situated side by side, these 3 mountain peaks are surrounded by cliffs that resemble the Grand Canyon. According to Aboriginal legend, 3 sisters of the Katoomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from a rival tribe. To protect the sisters during the ensuing battle, the local witch doctor turned them into stone. Intending to reverse the spell, later on, the witch doctor was killed in the battle and the sisters remained in their breathtaking rock formation. Short walks atop the peaks look out upon the panorama of the range and rock climbing, canyoning and caving are popular here. The gentle 60 ft. drop from the top provides a spectacular abseil experience.
The Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary offers a natural wildlife zoo where native Australian animals, among them koalas, kangaroos, and kookaburras, can be viewed. A walk in the bush provides the natural setting for spotting these residents. Bushwalks, from 1 hour walks to challenging hikes, lead to tempting locations, among them the Ruined Castle and the Blue Gum forest. Ridgetop walks, such as Prince Henry Cliff walk, open to amazing scenery and provide spectacular vistas of the Jamison and Grose Valleys. And beautiful rainforests, such as the Leura Forest, are hidden in the depths of the towering canyons.
For the more adventurous, 4WD trips take you exploring inland to such spots as the Jenolan Cave, an amazing cave formation with intricate walks through its stalactite-stalagmite columns. The 3-hour walk is a slithering-sliding caving experience, with even ghostly night walks offered!
For youngsters, the region’s best part is a series of scenic rides. The Scenic Skyway provides a journey above the ancient ravines and sparkling waterfalls. The highlight of the rides is the Scenic Railway, the steepest incline railway in the world, which features a smooth 415 m. descent from a cliffside tunnel to an ancient rainforest. Here a Scenic Walkway guides through the rain forest to a Scenic Cableway which travels through the World Heritage-listed Jamison Valley Rainforest.
The breathtaking landscapes, terrain, and activities available to travelers in Australia’s the Blue Mountains lend themselves to an unmatched family adventure holiday experience.
He underwent general surgery training at New York University and was awarded. Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years. Following his surgical training, Dr. Flores underwent plastic surgery training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, followed by a craniofacial fellowship with Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy.