The Blue Mountains are an out of doors and adventure lover's paradise

Not many of the world's major metropolitan cities can lay claim to possessing over a million hectares of World Heritage wilderness in their backyard, but the Blue Mountains are so near Sydney that many residents actually commute to Australia's major city every day. If you are taking the train from Katoomba, the biggest town in the Blue Mountains, to Sydney's Central Business District, you can be at work before you've finished reading the morning paper.

Traveling in the other direction is like being teleported into another dimension. One minute you're in the bustling financial center of Sydney and suddenly you are in the middle of an awe inspiring wilderness, staring across endless ranges of blue-green forests, down the dizzying face of a sheer 300 foot cliff face or up at the cascading waterfall. The Blue Mountains are an out of doors and adventure lover's paradise. There are such a lot of trails crisscrossing the hills and canyons of these ranges that avid hikers (or bush walkers, as we say in Australia) can undoubtedly spend weeks exploring just the ones around Katoomba or adjoining Leura and never take a similar trail twice. The cliffs of the Blue Mountains enjoy legendary status among rock climbers the world over and mountain bike enthusiasts flock there to take advantage of the many winding trails that have been created just for his or her enjoyment.

If you have not been to the Blue Mountains before, you can see the best of them from Katoomba. Just walk or drive down the main street of town until you come to Echo Point and the famed Three Sisters. You could have probably seen these Sisters in pictures, since they've been photographed thousands of times before and been featured in countless ad campaigns. You won't be disappointed, though, when you "meet" the Sisters in person for the very first time. Only then will you actually appreciate the sheer depth of the cliff faces and extent of the scenery. If you are a climber, you may head straight for the Giant Staircase that leads to the valley floor and head for the cliff faces, where you can tackle some of the countless classic climbing routes that dot the area.

The Giant Staircase is also where a huge number of hikers begin their discovery of the Blue Mountains. If you have limited time but would like to feel like you've escaped society, when you've reached the foot of the stairs, you will have forgotten everything. Surrounded by unspoiled nature, the only reminders of civilization you will see will be the signs that will assist you to find your way and the occasional welcome bench where you can rest your weary feet and look out at the horizon. If fatigue overcomes you and you don't want to have to face the steep climb back up to the top, just hop on the world's steepest railway line and you will be back up in minutes.

Incredibly, you can come to the Blue Mountains, do all of these things and still be back home in Sydney in time for dinner. However, you most likely won't be in a rush to leave. That will not be an issue, since finding comfortable Katoomba accommodation is easy. Apart from the many camping grounds in the area, you will find B&Bs, backpackers accommodations, hotels and motels to pick from. After you've checked in, step outside and take a look at the countless great restaurants and cafes along Katoomba Street. Being Blue Mountains locals, they know you will be hungry and in search of a hearty meal. They won't disappoint you, either!

Take a few days off, find blue mountains accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.