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Katoomba Scenic World Part IV: Walk This Scenic Way!

Scenic World Scenic Walkway
Scenic World Scenic Walkway

For the final part of our journey in the Blue Mountains, Rachel and I headed from the Scenic Railway and onto the Scenic World Scenic Walkway.  The secret word, in case you didn’t know, is scenic!  In the thick of the rainforest, near the bottom of Jamison Valley, is a 2.4 km (1.5 mile) elevated boardwalk that traverses through the bush, underneath some of the tallest trees in all of Australia.  Much of this rainforest has been around here since the Jurassic era.

Dark bush at daytime...
Dark bush at daytime…

Along the way, Rachel and I explored the site’s coal mining history including the mine entrance, a replica miners’ hut and scale bronze sculpture of a miner and his pit pony.  As discussed in the previous part, back in the late 19th century, the Scenic Railway was originally used as a means of transporting coal and shale oil from underneath the valley.  Here, we saw original pieces of what miners used during their digging, along with where the miners would begin their descent.

Scenic Walkway coal train
Scenic Walkway coal train
Katoomba Coal Mine
Katoomba Coal Mine
Katoomba miner and pit pony
Katoomba miner and pit pony

The best part of this walkway was just slowly meandering around the bush, listening to the wind rustle through the branches, and hearing the musical warblings of kookaburras, lyre birds, and magpies.  While I couldn’t hear any kookaburras laughing, I did hear the distinct whistle of the magpie.  I loved that swift whistle so much, that I even tried mimicking it!  Once, I swear, as I walked past a bench, I could hear a bird with the exact same call as I just gave!  I’m no birdwatcher, but it was a pretty awesome moment!  I even snapped a picture of a magpie while one was perched in a tree.

"Whatchu lookin at?!"
“Whatchu lookin at?!”

 

This part of the Blue Mountains have been featured in many Australian films.  One of the most notable was the 1977 film adaptation of Dot and the Kangaroo, one of Australia’s most beloved children’s books.  Made by Aussie animating legend Yoram Gross, the film used two-dimensional animated characters, set in a real-life background.  In other words, you’d see a non-animated bush throughout the most of the movie.  It was a trademark way of how Gross made most of his movies, including the 1993 animated adaptation of Australia’s most famous koala, Blinky Bill, which was also shot in the Blue Mountains bush.  The whole time I was walking along the Scenic Walkway, I kept an eye out for Dot and her hopping friend, as well as Blinky.  Alas, not this time around, sadly…

"The view from the Cableway is awesome!"
“The view from the Cableway is awesome!”

After a long, and beautiful walk, Rachel and I headed back towards the visitors center on board the Scenic World Cableway.  The journey gently descends into the Jamison Valley and also returns visitors to the top of the escarpment.  The Cableway’s fully enclosed cabin provides a unique vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary, and Katoomba Falls.  In addition, at over 1/3 mile long, the Cableway is the steepest, longest, and largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Scenic World Cableway
Scenic World Cableway

 

I am proud to say that I have conquered another wilderness in the land down under.  I have hiked through the Outback around Uluru, rode a train through the tropical bush of Northern Queensland in Kuranda, and swam along the Hawkesbury River.  Now, I can add bushwalking through the Blue Mountains to the list of places I have explored.  Not to mention I have had the pleasure of being led through by one of the coolest guides ever!  Not to mention one of the nicest and sweetest around!  Blue Mountains, you are truly a sight to behold!

"With thanks to my bushguide!"
“With thanks to my bushguide!”

 

 

 

 

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