Blue Mountains

Introduction

Some of the best climbing in the country can be found in the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage National Park only an hour inland from Sydney. The landscape is one of huge sandstone escarpments surrounding deep vegetated valleys. The rock varies from fairly solid and steep, to crumbling weetbix rubbish, and everything in between. The face veneer sometimes seems to be made up of sand crystals melded together by rain and lichen, usually coloured an attractive grey and orange, but underneath its often a white sandy nonsense. Despite this description, the climbing is pretty darn good. Sport climbing is quite popular, although there are still some stonker trad lines amongst it all.

Access

From Sydney take the Great Western Highway into the mountains, to the towns of Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Mt. Victoria. The climbing is spread out along the ridge lines. All the major towns can be reached using a suburban electrified train from Sydney, and some crags and camping can be reached from the train stations without too much walking. Most people drive, however.

Camping

Free camping at the turning circle at Mt York and down in the Megalong Valley. No where safe to leave your stuff unfortunately. Commercial campgrounds with showers and other luxuries at Katoomba and Blackheath. Many tourist lodgings of all standards for those willing to pay.