Blue Mountains Touring Guide - Blue Mountains, Australia

	Blackheath 120km from Sydney Blackheath is abundantly rich in colonial heritage and natural attractions. Numerous enthralling bushwalks are on either side of the highway and colonial history is all around. During his epic journey over the Mountains in 1815, Governor Macquarie named the area ‘Hounslow’ on his way west; then changed it to ‘Blackheath’ on his way back - because of its charred, wild, open heath-like appearance. A comfortable inn was established here in 1833 by an ex-soldier called Andrew Gardner. it started life as the ‘Scotch Thistle’ and earned a reputation of being very comfortable and clean (Charles Darwin stayed here too in 1836). The original sections were demolished in 1938, however the cedar staircase was preserved and retained at what is now called ‘Gardners Inn’. In the 1840s a large stockade was built at Blackheath to house convicts and solders. The Commandant was capt. Bull of ‘Bull’s Camp’ at Woodford. He remained in charge until the convict gangs were disbanded in 1849. Stonework from his house was later used in Blackheath’s first schoolhouse, built on the site of the stockade. Apart from some of the Mountains’ best views and bushwalks, the town boasts the amazing Rhododendron Gardens in Baccante St; Blackheath Memorial Park and the annual ‘Rhododendron Festival’ each November. Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens North of the highway, superb views of the Grose Valley and great walks to Neates Glen, the Grand Canyon and Beauchamp Falls are accessed from the end of Evans Lookout Road. Off this road is Walls Cave Road which leads to the magnificent beauty spot of Walls Cave, occupied by Aboriginals at least 12,000 years ago. Govetts Leap Road takes you to the famous Govetts Leap Lookout and to the Govetts Leap Falls which drop some 170m.	BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURING GUIDE Blue Mountains Grand Circular Drive Click on village names to see full details All material contained in this touring guide is copyright of Jayarnda Pty Ltd and may not be reproduced for any commercial purpose whatsoever without permission. Ph 02 6355 6292 Govetts Leap Falls There are stunning views from above the falls into the mighty Grand Canyon and down to the beautiful Blue Gum Forest. Near the end of the road you’ll also find the HQ of the Blue Mountains National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has a fine Information Centre. The unique Fairfax Heritage Track - designed specially for wheelchairs and strollers - begins here and leads to Govetts Leap. Hat Hill Road takes you to more great views of Hat Hill itself; and on to Anvil Rock and Pulpit Rock. South of the highway are numerous other visual treats, most of them from Porters Pass and down to the Megalong Valley. Just before you leave Blackheath on the highway, the cemetery on your right holds some of the Mountains’ earliest convict and settlers graves. Please select to see what's close by view accommodation view restaurants & dining view other business

	Blue Mountains Grand Circular Drive Penrith/Emu Plains to Lapstone ~ Glenbrook to Blaxland ~ Springwood & Valley Heights ~ Faulconbridge Linden to Woodford ~ Hazelbrook/Lawson/Bullaburra ~ Wentworth Falls ~ Leura ~ Katoomba Medlow Bath ~ Blackheath ~ Megalong Valley ~ Mount Victoria ~ Hartley & Hartley Historic Village Hampton to Jenolan Caves ~ Oberon ~ Lithgow ~ Mount Wilson ~ Bells Line of Road The Hawkesbury Richmond/Windsor ~ Bathurst/Mudgee & Beyond The Blue Mountains