Friday 15th of July
Blackheath Mount Tomah - Windsor - Cathai
I left not to early, saying goodbye was not easy for me, but travelling is saying good day and good bye. Taking the back road to Mt. Victoria, Bell and then the Botanical Garden on Mt. Tomah. I had one nice guided tour and a light lunch in the restaurant with a great view over the valley.
No pictures, because no sunlight.
I made my way to Windsor, found some food shopping there and then I drove out to the piece of land where Rowan lives with his parents in a community.
It's a 120 year old shag with rough hacked iron bark timber. Open Fireplace, ancient too.
Some alpacas, ducks, 5 dogs ...

This is simple, it's just me

Thursday, 14th of July 2011
Blackheath - Wentworth Falls - walking
Today I take it easy, walking slowly because I am a little sour from my previous hikes up and down the sandstone cliffs here in the Blue Mountains.
So I made my way to Wentworth Falls by car on a busy street. I missed the exit three times, but finally I found the right one.
On my way down the cliffs I met a young German student, Swen and we where chatting all along the gorgeous National Pass trail until I descended to the Wentworth pass which was filled with really steep steel ladders and stairs. So I spend my lunch at Wentworth Falls base and made some great shots, even so there is not much sun down this southern walls. Back to the way up, I decided to do the National Pass again, this time looking and no "bla bla bla" and walking back the Under Cliff Pass. Great decision!
Nice recommendation of some people, to be here.
Back to Conversation Hut, I had a nice tea and one cake.
The evening I spend on the computer, picture downloading and checking, emailing, couch-surfing request ...
And I do not forget to mention my hosting family, which made a good tasting dinner and some conversation as well, not going into details, which are private.

Mount Solitare panorama view

Wednesday 13th of July 2011
Blackheath - hiking from Katoomba to Ruined Castle
I drove to Katoomba and left my car in the parking house at the Scenic World and walked down the cliff to the base of the Scenic railway.
I followed the pass to the Golden stairs and continued to the Ruined Castle. Nice lookout there. My way back was supported by a nice Australian I met on the stairs back to the dirt-road. Thanks.

Grose Valley

Tuesday 12th of July 2011
Hiking around Blackheath
Govetts Leap - Evans Lookout - Grand Canyon - Neates Glen - Govetts Leap - Waterfall and up again
I went up to the Govetts Leap parking lot, got myself some info and a topographical map of the area at the visitors information centre.
I started at the cliff top track to Evans Lookout and descended to the Grand Canyon back up to Neates Glen.
I did the Brea Side walk and back up to Govetts Leap again.
Following Rodriguez Pass to the bottom of the Govetts Leap Brook waterfall and back up again the dropping wet vertical cliff walls, awesome!

Burrendong Lake panorama view

Monday 11th of July
Dubbo - Wellington Caves - Burrendong Arboretum - Blackheath
Early up in the morning quick shower and laundry, same breakfast as always.
Hitting the bus for my co-couch-surfer at nine and off I went from Dubbo. Heading to Wellington accidental following the street signs to: Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine

The complex comprises two show caves; The Cathedral Cave , The Garden Cave, and a series of smaller caves. These include the recently rediscovered Water Cave and the challenging River Cave, which are open to only the most experienced cave diving enthusiasts. The complex also includes The Phosphate Mine.

The cave is really worthwhile visiting, much bigger than Rose Margaret Cave in Victoria. Maybe I visit the Jenolan Cave as well, being here.
After that I followed the scenic route and found:
Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum

Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum was established in 1964 and covers approximately 167 ha. It is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Australia's unique and incredibly diverse flora.

There's more to Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum than just plants on show! Here you will experience Australian flora like never before!

It got almost dark before I hit Blackheath and I checked my host and found out, that I missed to confirm my arrival! Lost, no address, nowhere to stay, I send my confirmation, but too late.
I just went into 'The Gardeners Inn'
and had a tea and some dinner, quite good, but costly. Very noisy and chilly with all these holiday tourists. I got a sofa seat later in front of the fire place and then everything was ok!

Category description

Blackheath is a beautiful blue mountains village with a busy shopping centre providing everything from cafes, restaurants & hotels to antique & collectable shops, pre-loved goods & book shops. It is home to delectable gourmet pies and offers extensive automotive services and the surrounding Megalong Valley and Centennial Glen offer a choice of Horse Riding and other adventure activities.
Many of the accommodation choices in Blackheath are in idyllic mountain settings – B & B’s, Guest Houses, Cottages, Motels, Romantic & Executive Retreats, Self contained accommodation, caravan parks and hotels.
Some of the best blue mountains bushwalks are in the Blackheath area and other bushwalks and beautiful vistas are ten minutes in either direction in the Katoomba and Mount Victoria areas.
Blackheath Views and Bushwalks
Blackheath is filled with natural beauty and there are many breathtaking views and bush walks to experience. Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout provide views of the Grose Valley (the starting point for the Grand Canyon Walk).
A trip down into the valley will lead you to Edenderry and Hilary Falls. Evans Lookout also provides a sheltered picnic area. You can also start the Grand Canyon Walk from Neates Glen along Evans Lookout Road and visit Beauchamp Falls.
Turn into Walls Cave Road off Evans Lookout Road and you will discover Aboriginal history with Walls Cave which is believed to have been occupied around 12,000 years ago.