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A Day In The Blue Mountains

Today, I’ve been reliving my day in Australia’s Blue Mountains. Leading up to this day, I had spent a grey and rainy week in Sydney. But when I decided to head west along CityRail’s Blue Mountains Line to the small town of Katoomba, the sun shone brightly making the already incredible scenery sparkle.

In this video, I take in the impossibly beautiful rainforest-filled gorge, then, after descending the Giant’s Staircase, I walk through the rainforest to the cable car station that takes me back up to the top of gorge again.

Look out for a brief appearance by a Superb Lyrebird. I’ll always remember my first encounter with this extraordinary species on a BBC nature documentary. It’s ability to mimic any sound almost 100% accurately amazed me. The thought of seeing one in the wild had never crossed my mind, let alone on the day I found myself in the temperate rainforest of the Blue Mountains. But one scuttled out in front of me that day and I have a tiny fragment of that encounter on video. Thankfully, I kept my composure, despite an overwhelming urge to dance around on the spot, to keep the camera still and even to pan away in an artistic fashion.

A beautiful ecosystem coupled with a remarkable ornithological experience made for a truly unforgettable day.

The Truly Brilliant Blue Mountains

In which I visit the beautiful and amazing Blue Mountains and have a surprising and jaw-dropping ornithological encounter.

Central

22 March 2011 - 0935 Sydney, Australia

So finally, I’m off to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Well, not right now I’m not. I’m waiting at platform 5 of Central Station for the departure of my train. The return ticket cost an unbelievable $7.60, a total bargain in expensive Sydney. The train is already waiting in front of me, doors open expectantly. It’s an ageing corrugated metal affair, the sort you’d expect to see on New York’s subway. Plenty of character, though if the seats are anything like those on the last train from Circular Quay to here, I’m in for an uncomfortable 2 hour ride.

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Seats a way better. This is the sort of train-ing I like. Plenty of character inside too. Driver is doing pre-journey checks on the outside of the train. Despite rolling stock on opposite platforms moving about, he’s strolling along the side of the train opening panels and looking at whatever’s inside. Wouldn’t get that in Britain.

Bottom Deck

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Forget to mention, this is a double-decker train. I’m on the lower deck, facing forward and on the left as the Lonely Planet guide to Sydney suggests. Amazing views to be had from this position apparently.

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Wow! This passenger just came on and did something amazing! He reversed the facing direction the seat he wanted. With a quick pull on a handle, he could sit down and face the direction of travel. Ace!!!!

Echo Point

Blue Mountains

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Wow! Finally Australia pulls out all the stops. I’ve arrived at Echo Point to stunning views. I then descended the Giant’s Stairway, 900 precarious steps clinging to side of the gorge. Water drips from the rocks and down the narrow, steep stairs. The steps eventually led me to a category 1 rainforest dating back to the Jurassic period. During the 2km walk, I encountered muddy tracks, streams, and the majestic Katoomba Falls, a roaring torrent 500m high. Then, into Scenic World, the Disneyland version of the rainforest with well-constructed boardwalks and species markers and information and displays on the mining history of the region. Then, the ascent of the gorge by Swiss built cablecar.

Sunshine

Woodland

But way above all that was being able to see Superb Lyrebird in the wild. In fact, I saw two Lyrebird in the wild. Beautiful, nimble creatures with a unrivalled and staggering vocal range, able to mimic any sound 100% accurately. I stared open mouthed when Sir David Attenborough went to see Lyrebird on one of his BBC natural history shows, but to unexpectedly happen open one in the wild, scratching about in the trees was extraordinary and something I’ll never forget.

Red Wattlebird

As I write this, a Red Wattlebird has just landed in the seat next to mine. Seems my status as ‘friend of birds’ has been renewed.