Friday January 9th, 2009 Hunter Valley – Blue Mountains

Time to celebrate – Barb went for a run this morning, and while running down a small back road she saw her first wild kangaroo – grazing in the front yard of a residence. Then, while were packing up, we had a wonderful conversation with one of the resort staff – Pip, a delightful lady who loved to share local information (a school teacher who was working at the resort as a summer job).
As we sat eating breakfast, another couple pointed out the Kangaroos that were grazing in the yard of the winery just across the street. After we finished we went across the street and were able to take these pictures using the zoom lens. We had to use the zoom as the roos started to move away as soon as we got at all close, so we stayed back and watched them for several minutes.
Then we were on the road toward the Blue Mountains. We decided not to take the freeway, but rather, followed hwy 69 through the national parks and enjoy the scenery. We were not disappointed. The road was winding, sometimes with a cliff on one side and a valley on the other, or as in several occasions we found ourselves driving what appeared to be a ridge between two valleys. It was absolutely beautiful scenery, with the road lined on each side with mature Eucalyptus trees. There were more motorcyclists than cars on the road!
Just after noon we arrived in Katoomba where our motel is located. Prior to finding our Motel we found an information booth located at the Echo Point. The Point – looking over the valley and at the “Three Sisters” gave us an absolutely wonderful view of the Blue Mountains. We also wondered down to Queen Elizabeth Look-out – so named as she came to this point in 1954.
The reason they are called Blue Mountains is the blue hue that is generated over the mountains during hot weather caused by the release of vapours from the Eucalyptus trees.
We wandered down the path to the base of one of the ‘sisters’. Here are a few of the pictures, but what they don’t show is the wonderful aroma that we encountered from the eucalyptus trees. What a way to completely clear your sinuses.
We also saw several of these wonderful plants. The bush looks something like a Rhododendron, but the flower – is completely different, and apparently gives off its seeds when stressed by extremely hot weather, or by fire. It has quite a neat flower – anywhere from 4 to 6 inches in length and about 2 ½ inches across.
We checked in and then drove around the town a bit getting information for tomorrow’s adventures to the caves. Our motel is older, but wonderfully located within walking distance of lots of restaurants and sights.
We had our evening meal in our room which is appropriately equipped for light meals.