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Sun on a Warm Summer Day
Photo: Sun on a Warm Summer Day
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Summer in the Mountains

See the Blue Mountains in relation to Sydney: Sydney Surrounds Map.

Mountain Escape

During the 1800s and early 1900s, beaches were essentially only used for bathing, not relaxing or swimming as today and certainly not surfing. Sydneysiders escaped to the Blue Mountains for a cooler break.

Nowadays, they do both. People still enjoy the mountains, there are fantastic Australian bush experiences available here, only 1.5 hours west of the city.

Camping, long or short walks, trekking, horse riding and day tours from the city are all ways to explore the Blue Mountains. There is also a good variety of hotels and other accommodation available here, as well as resorts.

 

Photo

Although the clouds cover the sun, the temperature on this particular day was still quite hot. Note the brownish haze from bush (forest) fires in the distance, a controlled burning designed to limit the fuel available for wild bushfires.

Exploration

Numerous attempts were made by the early British settlers to cross the mountains. Aboriginals had been crossing the mountains for millenia, eventually the colonial settlers were able to cross following advice from the locals to stick to the ridges.

Various parts of the mountains were explored from 1798 to 1913 by the settlers, but the first known official crossing by Europeans was by Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth. Towns now established along the way now bear their names.

 

More Australia Places of Interest - See:

 

Main Photo: Sun on a Warm Summer Day