It is true, that we know Australia, a country down under, mostly for its sun and sandy beaches, but Australia is also a land of vast eucalyptus forests and for some surprisingly, it is also a land of adrenalin activities and hiking.
The Blue Mountains got its name from the eucalyptus trees (Australia travel)
After leaving Sydney behind, which has twice as more inhabitants as our whole country Slovenia, we stopped at the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are about 70-80 kilometers far from Sydney, what makes them a perfect getaway for weekends or short holidays. They got the name »blue« from its eucalyptus oil vaporization, what makes a blue mist.
The Blue Mountains are perfect for hiking and trekking (Australia travel)
Blue Mountains are ideal for hiking, as there are walking / hiking paths for all levels. Trekking the Blue Mountains offers us stunning views and kakadus flying over you, make everything even more picturesque. If you do not feel like walking, you can also take a ride with a scenic railway, which is the world’s steepest and it is adventure of its own.
Scenic railway in the Blue Mountains is the steepest in the world (Australia travel)
Most visitors, staying in the Blue Mountains, decide to overnight in a small town Katoomba. Simon and I did the same. We had a private room in the Blue Mountains Katoomba YHA, in the center of the town.
The Blue Mountains Katoomba YHA (Australia travel)
The next day in the Blue Mountains was with no doubt the most adrenalin and active on our whole Australia travel. We were booked for abseiling and canyoning with a tour company High N Wild. Surprisingly our guide Tim, was already twice in Slovenia and knew all about it, what definitely showed us, how small the world really is.
Abseiling in the Blue Mountains is full of adrenalin (Australia travel)
It is time for the abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
We have started with abseiling and to top off the adrenalin, we had been doing it only few hundred meters from the fires, which started in the Blue Mountains few days ago. Unfortunately fires in the Blue Mountains are not a rare thing and just last year, more than 200 houses were lost in one.
Nina in action – abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Simon in action – abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Doing our abseiling was a bit scary at first, but started with a 5 meter cliff, made everything a bit easier. We both got the needed self confidence (we have done the abseiling for the very first time) and so the two other cliffs, 15 and 30 meters high, were fun, mixed with adrenalin and excitement.
Abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
The abseiling was one in a life time experience, but after lunch, another challenge was there for us – canyoning. I have done canyoning in Slovenia, jumping in the rock pools and sliding over waterfalls, including the 12 meter one at the end, but the finish of this Blue Mountain canyoning bit it all! We were not just abseiling at the end, but we had been abseiling on the 30 meter high waterfall!
It is time for canyoning in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Canyoning in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Canyoning in the Blue Mountains (Australia travel)
Adrenalin started to kick in and we both forgot how cold the water in the canyon is. It was time for some action. Looking back at the photos and videos it still looks so unreal and we cannot believe we have actually done it! Canyoning and abseiling were two activities we will never forget them for sure! Absolutely AMAZING and one of the TOP things you can do in the Blue Mountains or on your Australia travel for sure!
This looks like such an adventure! I have never been canyoning or abseiling… this looks awesome! The most adventurous thing I have done on my travels is probably dog sledding. Glad that you enjoyed the blue mountains so much! -Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Hi Alexandra – canyoning and abseiling really was amazing, but honestly say, dog sledding is on my bucket list for ages 🙂