Author: Joanna and Piotr

We decided to switch our plan and go to Blue Mountains on day 3, after easier day 2 in Sydney. We took city train from Circular Quay to Central and continued on T1 Western train to Wentworth Falls (two hours). Charles Darwin Walk trailhead is near the station. After short coffee break we started walking down towards Wentworth Falls. It is gentle downhill stroll along Jamison Creek to the top of the falls and then down steps carved into the rock (Grand Stairway) to the bottom of the Upper Falls, short crossover via National Pass Track to Slacks Stairs (National Pass Track was closed beyond this point) and down metal stairs to the bottom of the Lower Wentworth Falls. Great views of the falls, and Blue Mountain cliffs and valleys. We then continued on the Wentworth Pass Track meandering along forested slopes of Jamison Valley towards Valley of the Waters. Finally, we walked out of the valley along Lodore, Sylvia and Empress Falls. After lunch near the top of the cliff, we ran by Conservation Hut to catch bus 685 to Katoomba at Valley Road and walked from the bus stop to Echo Point for panoramic views of the mountains, then to Three Sisters, Lady Carrington and Tallawarra lookouts, and back to Echo Point. Bus 686 to Katoomba train station, train T1 to Central, city train to Circular Quay, late dinner (Irish Stew with Australian beer) at Mercantile Hotel pub. Altogether we walked some 10 km, good part along streams and waterfalls of all sizes (very relaxing) with many great vistas (recommended).

Wentworth Falls-Valley of the Waters (8 km, 600 m total ascent)

Wentworth Falls train station-Charles Darwin Walk-Wentworth Falls-Valley of the Waters-bus stop @ Valley Road (A32 ), 8 km, 600 m total ascent
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Day 1.

We flew 15k km from Chicago to Sydney via San Francisco (18 hrs total flying time). All on time and smooth, but we spent a few extra hours in San Francisco after bumping up our flight from Chicago (to 6-hour lay over) because of possible construction delays at SFO. With Opal card from fellow TA traveller loaded in advance in Chicago, it was a brisk trip by bus 420 to Mascot and train T8 (green) to Circular Quay, and short walk to our hotel (☞ Mercantile Hotel) in the Rocks district, just next to Harbour Bridge. Wasting no time, we were on ferry F1 from Circular Quay to Manly. After short break at Manley harbor, we took bus 132 to Clontarf (Beatrice St) where we crossed-over to Spit-Manly trail (recommended) for relaxing 10 km walk back to Manly.

Clontarf-Manly (10 km)

Clontarf to Manly walk, Ferry F1 from Circular Quay to Manly, bus 132 to Clontarf (Beatrice St), return ferry F1 to Circular Quay
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Day 2.

Finished the day with delicious dinner at Pony Restaurant (recommended) in the Rocks (grilled snapper with pea pure and asparagus, and lamb rump with lentils and mint pure).