Blue Mountains National Park Things to Do

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Just a few minutes into the Scenic Walk we came upon the Coal Mine Exhibition. There is an audio visual display located in the coal mine entrance that shows the history of mining in the mountains. Life size bronze sculptures of a mine worker and his pit pony and a display of the tools used by the miners. It's amazing to think people toiled away in the mountains so long ago. Coal mining is tough enough today; I can only imagine how hard it was for the miners back then.

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There's a lot of bird life in the Blue Mountains. In different parts you'll find different species. For instance, you're likely to see yellow tailed black cockatoos along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk but not over at Govetts Leap.
The yellow tufted honeyeater can be spied on the western slopes but you're more likely to see New Holland honeyeaters around Katoomba. Currawongs (big black and white birds) also abound here and DON'T FEED THEM please. It makes them aggressive.
There's cheeky wrens at Newnes that clamour around a warm campfire, rock warblers up near the Glow Worm Cave, wattle birds everywhere, as are eastern yellow robins.
The flashier robins like the scarlet and flame are also there for the viewing along with a score of other little birds like the red-eyed finch, blue wren, thorn birds et cetera.
The red rumped parrot puts in an appearance on the western side but you won't see it on the eastern and the most wondrous bird of all, for me, the lyrebird can more often than not be heard but not seen, such is its magnificent mimicry and excellent camouflage.
While spending some time at Govetts Leap, in one tree I sat and watched and photographed all manner of birds.
There were rufous fantails, tree creepers, crimson rosellas, a kookaburra, scrub wrens, flame robins, spotted pardalotes and others I've forgotten. Such an array of colours, such a spectacle. When you're at the lookout, if you want to see birds, allocate an hour, ideally not long after dawn and you'll be surprised at just how many there are.

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This is the most scenic of all the walks in the Blue Mountains and goes from Katoomba to Leura, covering the top of the cliff line and many of the major lookouts. With photogenic vistas and waterfalls all along the way, the views of the Jamison Valley are unsurpassed. Time should be set aside to dawdle along the cliffs and soak up the serenity of the cliffs.
The walk starts at the Gordon Falls lookout near Leura or the Scenic World and is a great way to soak in the mountain air and get some exercise. The concrete path at Leura commences near a large information sign (and map) but becomes rockier as it descends Leura Cascades towards Bridal Veil lookout.
The walk continues alongside the Prince Henry Drive, until it reaches a stunning lookout, Tarpeian Rock. This elevated vantage point has clear views of Mt Solitary.
If it's been raining, do not miss the short diversion to the Bridal Veil Falls lookout (there are two Bridal Veil Falls in the Blue Mountains); see other tips for more info.
From Tarpeian, the track becomes a little more challenging, climbing uphill and presenting some steps towards Olympian Rock and across a high concrete bridge to the interesting Elysian Rock.
From here, the walk follows the cliff line all the way to the adjacent Millamurra and Tallawarra Lookouts, both worthy of a pause and both presenting sweeping views over the valley while you catch your breath. You next climb and reach the stunning rock towers at Echo Point, known as the Three Sisters. This next climb is long but steady and the 180 to 270 degree view of the Jamison Valley on show from this lookout is seriously incredible, you can see for kilometres.
Then you carry on to Scenic World and there are another 6 lookouts en route as you scout around the back of Katoomba Falls on your way to the Scenic Railway.
The total walk is just under 9 kilometres but, remember, there are many diversions en route. I'd allow a minimum of 4 hours.

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You might notice these trees if you do a bit of bushwalking. There are actually quite a few varieties but if you're bushwalking and tell someone "That's a scribbly gum" then you'll be correct.
Eucalyptus haemastoma, the best known type occurring near Sydney
Eucalyptus sclerophylla, similar to Eucalyptus haemastoma, with smaller gumnuts
Eucalyptus racemosa, often a larger and a broader trunked scribbly gum
Eucalyptus signata, occurring in the north coast of New South Wales and in Queensland
Eucalyptus rossii, occurring west of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales
There are also others affected by the worm of the scribbly moth but the above are the ones that come under the banner.
They are not unique to the Blue Mountains but can be found all over Australia.

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This is an excellent section of cliff top track with many lookouts giving different aspects of the Blue Mountains, including the back side of the famous Three Sisters.
You pass beside Leura Cascades and Bridal Veil Falls before heading around to Gordon Falls. There may also be other falls if you are there immediately after rain as I was last time. You can see this one in pic 4.
It's 1.8 kms of varied terrain and the footing is rocky so if you're unstable on your feet I wouldn't advise it.

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These falls are viewed by probably only about 10% or less of the tourist hordes which is a shame, not so much for the falls themselves but the Prince Henry Cliff walk in that area is varied and very interesting.
The stretch I'm referring to is the 1.8 km section from Leura to Gordon Falls. Black cockatoos tend to frequent the area and there are several lookouts on the way.
More next tip.

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From my email at the time - "While I tackled Sudoku in the paper it started to rain, seriously rain; another weather event rain. I stalled an hour before heading out into, by then, light drizzle and made haste to Govetts Leap. There I eavesdropped a conversation by a German couple and a local. The local indicated the far side of the canyon and said she’d never seen the waterfalls that were currently plunging over the edge; so fierce had been the rain.
So I figured it was timely to get the camera out to record this rare spectacle. While doing so three German backpackers were about to head out with all the enthusiasm of youth. I cautioned them against it because another thunderhead was about to roll over but they gave a thumbs up and headed off anyway.
About half an hour later the next one hit and somewhere along the way I nodded off in the motorhome. Later, when it was clear again, I retrieved my camera and went to see what was on offer. The local had just returned from having been down to the lower lookout; she’d been drenched in the journey but I took her advice and headed on down.
As usual, the 5 minute walk ended up lasting for an hour and a half as I pushed on along further paths that, at times, were small rivers themselves and in one spot turned at right angles and plunged into the chasm. I was so glad I had my waterproof shoes on as I struggled over the slippery rocks but when I reached the top of Horseshoe Falls even they weren’t enough and I had to remove them to cross the stream flushed with fresh from the storm.
I vaguely remembered times past when my son Ronnie and I had stepped over a trickle here on our way to Pulpit Rock after doing Grand Canyon. Everywhere water was in puddles, hanging off leaves, dripping from rocks or plummeting over the cliff face.
I finished up at the main viewpoint for Horseshoe Falls, marvelled at the spectacle and then trudged back."

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To hike through these huge National Paks or just "out and about" bushwalking..The Nature in these Parks is everywhere to be seen and enjoyed. For me when out in these National Parks I especially love the abundant birdlife to watch...There are many species large and small of Parrots, Cockatoos, Honeyeaters, hawks, eagles...just so many.. but the beautiful parrots are my favourite. To be seen also are small marsupials wallabies , wombats, echidnas, koala bears, and reptiles .Make sure to have your camera with you with a fully charged battery of course.