From Sydney, we head west to the Blue Mountains National Park, one of the most accessible and hence most popular day trip destination from the city. In this tour we’re accompanied by a busload of other tourists with our guide and driver Aaron. Shortly after arriving at our bus near the Queen Victoria Building, we hit the road. Our bus cruises out of the city and towards today’s first destination: the Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park.

The wildlife sanctuary is in the Sydney suburb of Doonside. Established in 1972, the park has an extensive collection of Australian native animals and has the stated aim of wildlife conservation and education. The animals inside include koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, and various bird species.

We have close encounters with many of the animals, especially the koalas and kangaroos. The park offers opportunities to hand-feed and pet the kangaroos and wallabies, as well as a photo op with one of the koalas.

At lunch, we recharge with some diner grub at a restaurant in Leura, then continue toward Katoomba, where we dismount the bus again for the Echo Lookout Point of the Three Sisters. The vantage point from Echo Point Lookout provides a panoramic view of the rock formation and the expansive Blue Mountains landscape, which is renowned for its blue-hued mist created by the eucalyptus trees.

The Three Sisters is not only a major tourist attraction in the Blue Mountains National Park but also holds significant cultural importance. The Three Sisters are a trio of sandstone peaks that were formed by erosion over millions of years. These peaks have had great importance to the Gundungurra and Darug tribes. According to Aboriginal legend, the formation represents three sisters who were turned to stone to protect them from unwanted suitors.

The area around the Three Sisters is crisscrossed with walking tracks and hiking trails. The Giant Stairway, a steep path descending from Echo Point, allows visitors to get closer to the formation and explore the surrounding bushland. But with very limited time, I stick to the shortest trail, one that leads west to the Spooners Lookout, which gives me a closer look at the Three Sisters.

Near Echo Point is Scenic World, a touristy yet well worth stop with its spectacular views of the Blue Mountains and some rides that provide a thrilling perspective of the area. We first ride the Scenic Railway, regarded as the steepest passenger railway in the world, with an incline of 52 degrees. Originally built to transport coal miners, it now transports tourists down into the Jamison Valley.

From the exit of the railway, we make our way through a walkway going to the Scenic Cableway. We pass by an area that was once the site of coal mines, which were operational from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. Various remnants from the mining era — including old machinery, rail tracks, and entrances to the mine shafts — are scattered along the walkway. Despite the industrial artifacts, the walkway is set within lush rainforest, providing an interesting contrast between Australia’s mining history and its diverse ecosystem.

We don’t have time for the Scenic Skyway, which would have us riding a glass-floored cable car that glides 270 meters above the valley floor, offering views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, and the Jamison Valley. Instead, we spend the few minutes buying some souvenirs at the store near the entrance before returning to the bus.

Just before returning to Sydney, we also stop at Cahill’s Lookout, a scenic viewpoint that provides panoramic views of the Megalong Valley, Narrow Neck Plateau, and Boars Head Rock. It is not as well-known than Echo Point but it offers equally great views and, with less tourists, a more peaceful experience.

From here, it’s about a 90-minute back drive to Sydney, just in time for some dinner at the harbor.