Lens-Artists Challenge : Blue

The Blue Mountains National Park is about 1.5 hours drive west of Sydney. With peak heights just over 1000m, they are not particularly tall by global standards!

Distant views take on a blue hue, especially in summer. The main cause is attributed to volatile terpenoids released from the native, mainly eucalyptus, forest. In 1813, the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson heralded the opening up of the fertile plains to the west, lands which would be rapidly exploited by the early colonists. Today, the Blue Mountains are a must for tourists, for spectacular views of the escarpments, for the clear mountain air, for rock climbers, canyoners and bushwalkers.

A contribution to Patti’s Lens-Artists Challenge, Blue. Other entries will be found here.

Author: kayrpea61

Retiree with interests in technology, travel, wine and gardening, not necessarily in that order.

17 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge : Blue”

      1. My sister and brother-in-law will be visiting Australia for the first time in 2 weeks. But it is work related and they will only be visiting Perth. Apparently it has a similar climate to Cape Town.

        Are those Bluegum trees in your photos, they have been very successful emigrants and found all over South Africa

        1. Hello Abrie. The term “blue gum” depends where you are (google it!!)! The Sydney Blue Gum, Eucalyptus Saligna, is certainly present in the Blue Mountains. Also present are other eucalypts, and non-eucalypts including the Sydney Red Gum, Angophora costata, and turpentines, canarium australanaium!
          Perth is one of the remotest state capitals in the world, five hours flight from Sydney. Your sister is coming at a good time. Western Australia is famous for wild flowers which will be coming into bloom. A must is Kings Park, an easy bus ride from the centre of the city. The city loop (free?) bus is also well worth spending time on, stopping at The Mint, the famous WACA and other places of interest. I also recommend a half day or longer in Fremantle, go by train and back by ferry or vice versa. If time permits, a trip to the Margaret River wine region is also worth doing, but a two day trip to make it worth while. As for the season, “layers” are recommended. It can be chilly in August!! I’m reluctant to recommend restaurants, as it is a few years, but the one in Kings Park was excellent, and great for views of the city lights. Cheers, Ken

    1. The Three Sisters is iconic. Sadly it is the magnet for tourists so we prefer other spots. The lookout from which these photos were taken is small and we only saw one other car leave as we arrived. Thanks for visiting, Tina

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